The Prescription: Partnership For Safe Medicines India

The Prescription: 1st October 2016 Issue

Editor’s Emulsion PSM INDIA Capsules Drug Laws & Policy Injections Pharma Injections DRUG DOPES National Injections Global Injections PSM Pill DOSE OF THE DAY FAQ Subscriber's Symptom UpComing Events Laughter Dose Blog Addict Contact Us

News Archive

EDITOR'S EMULSION

Pooja Khaitan

Greetings!

Welcome to yet another edition of our newsletter.

Recently, the Lancet has published a series of papers on maternal health which reveal that while progress has been made in reducing maternal mortality globally, nearly one quarter of babies worldwide are still delivered in the absence of a skilled birth attendant. Further, one-third of the total maternal deaths in 2015 happened in India, where around 45,000 mothers died during pregnancy or childbirth while Nigeria has the maximum burden of 58,000 maternal deaths. Featured are more details on this to read in this edition of PSM India Capsule. Read More>>>

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Pooja Khaitan
Chief Editor , The PRESCRIPTION Partnership for Safe Medicines India.

DOSE OF THE DAY

"In my personal view, the woman should be compulsorily told that whether it is a boy or girl child whom she is going to give birth. It should be registered to be able to check whether they have given the births or not."

Maneka Sanjay Gandhi Union Cabinet Minister for Women & Child Development

PSM India Capsules

PSM India at Colombo

Founder Director, PSM India , Bejon Misra with H.E. Dr Rajitha Senaratna Minister of Health, Nutrition and Indigenous Medicines, Government of The Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka on establishing strong Patient Safety Groups as part of IAPO to take up issues concerning safety, quality and access.

One-third of total maternal deaths in 2015 happened in India: Lancet

The latest Lancet series on maternal health reveals that nearly one quarter of babies worldwide are still delivered in the absence of a skilled birth attendant. Further, one-third of the total maternal deaths in 2015 happened in India, where 45,000 mothers died during pregnancy or childbirth while Nigeria shouldered the maximum burden of 58,000 maternal deaths.

Drug Laws & Policy Injections

NPPA revises ceiling prices of 21 scheduled drugs and retail prices of 21 formulations Mumbai, Sep 2016: The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) has fixed/revised ceiling prices of 21 scheduled formulations of Schedule-I under Drugs (Prices Control) Amendment Order, 2016 and retail price of 21 formulations under DPCO, 2013 through a Notification/order dated 15.9.2016.

DoP to release mandatory Uniform Code of Pharmaceutical Marketing Practices soon Bengaluru September 2016: The Union government is now working to release the Uniform Code of Pharmaceutical Marketing Practices (UCPMP) guidelines shortly. The details on the exact time frame were not disclosed. The mandatory code will replace the existing voluntary UCPMP. Indian pharma companies hope to see its early implementation and are upbeat on complying with the new UCPMP.

Government Moves SC over Ban on Combination DrugsNew Delhi, Sept 2016: The government has moved the Supreme Court in defense of the ban it imposed earlier this year on hundreds of fixed dose combination drugs that it alleged to be irrational, unsafe for patients and lacking scientific validation. Armed with approvals from state regulatory agencies and, in certain cases, the central drug regulator, scores of drug makers countered the decision in courts.

Pharma Injections

Artificial scarcity of thalassemia drug feared, government urged to step in NEW DELHI/MUMBAI, SEPT 2016: Life-saving drug Desefral, used by thalassemia patients, has been in short supply across the country for around a year, posing a potential risk to the lives of over one lakh patients, prompting several thalassemia societies and associations besides hematologists to write to health minister JP Nadda and many state governments for immediate intervention.

UN high-level meeting on antimicrobial resistance: Five things to know! New York, September 2016: Global leaders met at the United Nations General Assembly in New York to commit to fighting antimicrobial resistance together. At the high-level meeting, all 193 UN member states agreed to combat the proliferation of antibiotic resistance, which is an increasingly serious threat to global public health. It is the fourth time in the UN history that a high-level meeting for a health issue (antimicrobial resistance) was held after HIV, Ebola, and chronic diseases like diabetes and obesity.

Painkillers turning poison pills New Delhi, Sept 2016: NSAIDS, or the common painkillers, are not advisable for dengue patients because they are known to quicken internal bleeding. However, doctors have been prescribing them to relieve joint pain in suspected or confirmed cases of chikungunya. Now, in a worrying trend, these drugs have been found to be counterproductive even in chikungunya patients.

Common chemicals may reduce vitamin D levels Exposure to certain common chemicals called endocrine-disrupting chemicals found in several consumer products, including plastic bottles, may reduce levels of vitamin D in the bloodstream, says a study. Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDC) are found in everyday products and throughout the environment. Bisphenol A (BPA), a known EDC, is often found in plastics and other consumer products.

Our beliefs can worsen pain, insomnia conditions September 2016: Individual beliefs can play a potential role in worsening insomnia and pain experiences in patients with chronic pain conditions like back pain, fibromyalgia and arthritis, a team of researchers has found. "I won't be able to cope with my pain if I don't sleep well," is the common way patients with chronic pain conditions think, the researchers said.

Eating eggs, peanuts early reduces risk of food allergies in babies September 2016: A new study has found that feeding eggs and peanuts early to children at a young age can reduce the risk of developing food allergy. Allergies to foods like nuts, egg, milk or wheat are often caused by the malfunctioning and over-reacting of the immune system triggering symptoms of rashes, swelling, vomiting and wheezing in kids.

Drug Dopes

Updated LIST OF NEW DRUGS APPROVED FROM 01-01-2016 TILL DATE BY NEW DRUGS DIVISION, CDSCO, FDA Bhawan, New Delhi List of New Drug Approved by FDA

Maha FDA detects Mumbai based firm selling spurious drugs Mumbai, September 2016: In its ongoing drive against illegal sale of medicines, the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has seized stock of active pharmaceuticals ingredients (API) from a Mumbai-based firm which was selling drugs without proper purchase invoices and were also procuring spurious drugs in contravention to the provisions of Drugs & Cosmetic Act, 1940.

Prices of 18 drugs slashed by up to 23% New Delhi, Sep 2016: The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) has revised the ceiling price of 18 more drugs, soon after the last round of changes. The latest move will mean reduction in price of up to 23 per cent for the 18 drugs.

National Injections

Delhi dengue, chikungunya deaths: Centre seeks report New Delhi, September 2016: The Centre sought a detailed report from Delhi government on deaths due to dengue and chikungunya, including medical history of the deceased, in the national capital where vector-borne diseases have claimed at least 30 lives and affected about 2,800 people.

New single-dose treatment shows promise in anti-malaria battle Chennai, September 2016: Scientists have discovered a series of a novel compound (bicyclic azetidine series) that shows great promise in the battle against malaria. Four candidate agents were characterized and one compound was found to act on all three life stages of the malaria parasite.

India ranks 143 among 188 countries on health index; Iceland tops list New Delhi, September 2016: A new study on a range of health indicators has ranked India 143rd in a list of 188 countries, clearly indicating that the country continues to lag behind other countries in healthcare.

Centre Declares Japanese Encephalitis As Notifiable Disease NEW DELHI, SEP 2016: The Centre on Wednesday declared Japanese Encephalitis (JE) as a notifiable disease and asked states to ensure that all health care providers inform local authorities about such cases, a move aimed at reducing the transmission of the disease and stopping it from spreading to newer areas.

Health ministry soon to amend PCPNDT Rules to decriminalise radiologists Mumbai, September 2016: The Union health ministry is soon planning to amend Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Rules to keep record-keeping out of the ambit of criminal provisions of the Act following nation-wide protests from radiologists.

In Ranchi’s top hospital, floor is the meal plate for patient Ranchi, September 2016: Every day, for over a month now, Munni Devi, a “patient” at the Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) here, has been following the same routine. She washes the floor with water from an old mineral water bottle, wipes off the excess water with her hands, and then waits for the man with the hospital food trolley to serve her some rice, pulses and vegetables — on the floor. She eats straight off the floor, even as tens of patients, attendants, nurses, guards and people walk around her.

Global Injections

Facebook's Zuckerberg to Spend $3B to Fight Disease September 2016: Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg and his wife Dr. Priscilla Chan, a pediatrician, say they will spend $3 billion over 10 years to help cure disease.

Nigeria Customs Seize Fake Malaria Drugs Worth N20 Million September 2016: The Nigeria Customs Service on Tuesday said it confiscated substandard anti-malaria drugs and antibiotics, valued at N20million.

Global pharmacy awards go to pharmacists in seven countries, including Mrs.Manjiri Gharat from India

Buenos Aires: Ten pharmacists and pharmaceutical scientists from seven countries were recognised for their services to pharmacy at the opening ceremony of the 76th World Congress of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences in Buenos Aires, Argentina, today.

Incisionless robotic surgery improves cancer survival: studyWashington, September 2016: An incisionless robotic surgery may help easily remove certain head and neck tumours without visible scarring and improve survival in cancer patients, a new study has claimed.

Girl in Pakistan undergoes 100th surgery for rare skin diseaseLahore, September 2016: A 25-year-old Pakistani girl, who has spent most of her life in hospitals, has just undergone her 100th surgery related to a rare skin disease.

DNA-based vaccine guards against Zika in monkey studySeptember 2016: "The vaccine universally elicited antibodies from all primates, but for the animals that got a full dose of vaccine, 17 of 18 were protected from infection," said study co-author Ted Pierson. He is chief of the Viral Pathogenesis Section at the U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.

Researchers identify protein critical in causing chronic urinary tract infectionsSeptember 2016: Researchers have identified a potential way to prevent chronic urinary tract infections (UTIs). Their research points to a key protein that bacteria use to latch onto the bladder and cause UTIs, according to scientists at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. Vaccinating mice against the protein reduces the ability of bacteria to cause severe disease.

PSM PILL

Neurology associates of Greenville sentenced in misbranded Botox case

South Carolina medical practice prosecuted for buying non-FDA approved injectable cosmetic treatments. A medical practice in Greenville, South Carolina has been sentenced to 3 years of federal probation for treating patients with non-FDA approved Botox, a Department of Justice (DOJ) press release reported on the occasion of the sentencing.

OVER-THE-COUNTER drugs part of counterfeit bust in New York

Investigators turn up over $2 million worth of counterfeit health and beauty products, including counterfeited cold medicines and painkillers. Nassau County prosecutors allege that two brothers, Pardeep Malik and Hamant Mullick ran a multi-state health and beauty product counterfeiting business, CNN reports. According to CNN, “Law enforcement authorities seized four tractor-trailers filled with knockoff health products from five locations on Long Island.”

Frequently Asked Questions Q1. Dengue
Answer: The mosquito-borne viral disease Dengue has become one of the worst nightmares of the country. The symptoms of the disease show in three to seven days and recovery from dengue too does not take over a week unless the condition gets severe. Mostly asymptomatic, if the condition gets critical, dengue can be life-threatening.
Causes
Dengue is caused by the bite of one of the many types of mosquitoes in the genus Aedes Aegypti.
Symptoms
Doctors say that more than half people infected with the virus remain asymptomatic, that is, they do not show any symptoms.Read More>>>

SUBSCRIBER'S SYMPTOM

Home remedies to treat Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)

Article contributed by one of our Subscriber: Ms. Diksha Patel, Physician, New Delhi

Blood pressure readings are given as two numbers. The systolic blood pressure (the top number) equals the pressure in the arteries as the heart contracts. The diastolic pressure (the bottom number) is the pressure in the arteries as the heart relaxes. Normal blood pressure is below 120/80; blood pressure between 120/80 and 139/89 is called "pre-hypertension," and a blood pressure of 140/90 or above is considered high while a systolic blood pressure of about 90 to 100 is considered low blood pressure.

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Dr. Kailash Jain, MD Medicine tweets Thanks to PSM-India! for promoting Universal health Coverage programme for all.

Ms. Shahina, bloggers, saysGreat Applause to PSM-India! For creating a real-time awareness about counterfeit medicines in the society, as these medicines can claim one's life.

Mr. Ranjeet Jha, Student Wishing all success to PSM-India for its generous effort in building a healthy society.

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Disclaimer : Our newsletter endeavors to compile patient safety information from various sources . PSM India may not be held responsible for any article published in The Prescription.