The Prescription: Partnership For Safe Medicines India

The Prescription: 1st September 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

Ellora, Our Brave Heart

Greetings!

I dedicate this issue of the newsletter to my dear school friend, Ellora, who has relentlessly fought against all odds, since over a year, for her husband's kidney transplant treatment. The lack of legitimate donors and the immense paper work involved from government bodies, did not deter our brave heart. Finally, after getting herself operated for stones first, she became the lifesaving donor to her husband. The operation was successful but the true test lies ahead in the isolation unit treatment that would go on now for the next few months, once they are discharged from hospital. Our prayers and good wishes for a speedy recovery to them. At present 17 in every hundred citizens of India suffer from a kidney disease. Every year, nearly 10-15 percent of patients are undergoing dialysis in India, especially children. I urge all our readers to come forward and pledge for organ donation. In a population of 1.3 billion, we can touch so many lives, if each one contributes their bit. Also an appeal to all State Govts. and to the National Govt, to streamline their systems to avoid excessive harassment to patients regarding required documents for treatment. A salute to all such Elloras in our country, who are withstanding the difficulties in our healthcare system and coming out winners! Read More>>>

If you have any suggestions, comments or queries, please email me at pooja@jagograhakjago.com.
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Happy Reading !
Stay Safe. Stay Healthy !

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

DOSE OF THE DAY

"Government of India has approved “Tertiary Care for Cancer Scheme” under NPCDCS in the year 2013-14. Under the said scheme, Government of India is assisting to establish/set up State Cancer Institutes (SCI) and Tertiary Care Cancer Centres (TCCC) in different parts of the country”

J P Nadda
Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare

PSM India Capsules

Kidney patients double in 15 years

The number of Indians suffering from chronic kidney diseases has doubled in the past 15 years. At present, 17 in each hundred Indians suffer from some sort of kidney disease, as health experts quote. The health experts observed that numerous Indian populace-based studies in the past assessed that about150-230 people suffer from End-Stage Kidney Disease (ESKD) out of a million people, and approx. 2,20,000-2,75,000 new patients need Renal Replacement Therapy (RRT) each year.

Cloth Masks Provide Poor Protection against Air Pollution

Wearing reasonable cloth masks in the hope of reducing exposure to air pollution may be of only a few benefits and provide you a false sense of security, particularly in highly polluted areas, new research reveals. Washable cloth masks such as Handkerchiefs, Stoles and Scarfs are widely used in India and other Asian countries for personal protection against airborne particulate matter. “Wearing cloth masks reduced the exposure to some extent,” but “the most commonly used cloth mask products perform poorly when compared to alternative options available in the market,” said the study by scientists at University of Massachusetts Amherst.

Drug Laws & Policy Injections

Shri J P Nadda launches AMRIT outlets at Shillong, Imphal, Jodhpur August 2016: Union Health Minister J P Nadda has inaugurated three more Affordable Medicines and Reliable Implants for Treatment (AMRIT) outlets -- one each in Shillong, Imphal and Jodhpur. The outlets, where heavily discounted medicines and implants are sold to customers, are located at the North Eastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health and Medical Sciences (NEIGRIHMS), Shillong, the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), Imphal, and All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Jodhpur.

Government puts up draft proposal of National Medical Commission Bill for review to replace MCI Mumbai, August 2016 : Government has put up a draft proposal of National Medical Commission Bill for stakeholders' review till August 31, 2016 to replace Medical Council of India (MCI) with a new apex regulator for the medical sector, formulated by an expert committee on medical education appointed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The suggestions on the draft proposal of the bill after the conclusion of the review process will go to the Council of Ministers for further consultation and finally to the Cabinet for its further enactment, informed an official associated with the development.

Chemists demand blanket ban on online sale of medicinesAmritsar, August 2016 : The All-India Organization of Chemists and Druggists (AIOCD), having a pan-India presence of more than 8 lakh members, has reiterated its demand for a total ban on online sales of medicines as it says that such an activity can lead to major public health problems.

Relaxing clinical trial rulesAugust 2016 : Drugs Controller General of India early this month decided to do away with the restrictions on the number of clinical trials an investigator can undertake at a time in the country. Currently, no investigator is allowed to conduct more than three trials at any given period of time. However, the health ministry empowered the ethics committee to take a final call on the number of clinical trials an investigator can do at a time after examining the risk and complexity of the trials.

Pharma companies upset with wrong interpretation of NPPP 2012 & DPCO 2013 by NPPA Mumbai, August 2016 : The pharma companies are finding it increasingly difficult in complying with the Drugs Price Control Order, 2013 as the manufacturers feel the provisions in National Pharmaceuticals Pricing Policy (NPPP) 2012 and DPCO 2013 are being wrongly interpreted by the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority.

Indian Pharmacist Association demands exclusive pharmacy cell under health ministry for better pharmacy governance Mumbai, August 2016 : The Indian Pharmacist Association has demanded a pharmacy cell under ministry of health & family welfare for a better pharmacy administration in the country. The Association is of the view that the pharmacy practice is a specialized technical field and only the pharmacy professionals can suggest, understand and execute the best pharmacy services or cadre in the large public interest.

Pharma Injections

Improving access to DOTS is crucial August 2016: If there is already a long delay before TB patients in India start treatment, the Directly Observed Treatment Short-course (DOTS) strategy offered by India’s TB control programme does not make it easy for patients to access and complete the treatment. In contrast, patients who took DOTS from private practitioners faced fewer barriers and were more likely to complete the treatment. The results were published recently in the journal BMC Health Services Research.

Explanation found for Alzheimer's risk genes AUGUST 2016: A recent study has identified a connection between ApoE4 gene and protein build-up associated with Alzheimer's that provides a possible biochemical explanation for how extra ApoE4 causes the disease.

Not all pre-diabetics are the same Chennai, August 2016: There is pre-diabetes and then, apparently, there is pre-diabetes. A recent study on published in Diabetes Care has indicated that innovation is required to treat a specific category of people with impaired fasting glucose, on whom regular interventions are not effective.

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

Made-in-India leprosy vaccine to be launched Chennai, August 2016: A first-of-its-kind leprosy vaccine developed in India is to be launched on a pilot basis in five districts in Bihar and Gujarat. If it shows good results, the vaccine programme will be extended to other high-prevalence districts in the country, said Soumya Swaminathan, director general, Indian Council of Medical Research.

New osteoporosis drug shows promise August 2016: Abaloparatide is expected to win approval from U.S. federal regulators
A large clinical trial of a new osteoporosis drug found that it stimulates bone growth and prevents fractures at least as well as the only other such drug on the market.

FDA Approves Troxyca ER (oxycodone hydrochloride and naltrexone hydrochloride) Capsules with Abuse-Deterrent Properties for the Management of Pain August 2016: Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE) announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Troxyca ER (oxycodone hydrochloride and naltrexone hydrochloride) extended-release capsules, for oral use, CII for the management of pain severe enough to require daily, around-the-clock, long-term opioid treatment and for which alternative treatment options are inadequate. Troxyca ER has properties that are expected to reduce abuse when crushed and administered by the oral and intranasal routes. However, abuse of Troxyca ER by these routes is still possible. It is the only oxycodone with oral abuse-deterrent features described in the labeling.

Prices of HIV, asthma, malaria drugs revised New Delhi, August 2016: The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) has revised the prices of 22 scheduled drugs. These drugs are for treating malaria, HIV, asthma, breast cancer, among others. The drugs include tablets such as Efavirenz, Ibuprofen, Tamoxifen and Salbutamol, Phenobarbitone injection and Rifampicin capsule.

Karnataka DC seizes 11 NSQ drugs, cautions hospitals, public Bengaluru, August 2016: Karnataka drugs control department has seized 11 not of standard quality drugs picked up randomly from pharmacy outlets in different areas of the city. Of the 11 drugs which have been tested at the department’s drug test lab, two belong to Alembic Pharmaceuticals. Both drugs namely Althrocin liquid containing erythromycin estolate oral suspension were manufactured at its facility in EPIP Phase I at Jharmajri in Baddi district, Himachal Pradesh.

National Injections

Maharashtra to finalize SOPs for organ transplant MUMBAI, AUGUST 2016:Taking serious note of the alleged kidney transplant racket at a leading Mumbai hospital, the Maharashtra government has decided to soon lay down a set of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) that will help identify both organ donors and recipients.

India’s health care serves just 28% population AUGUST 2016: About 80 percent of doctors, 75 percent of dispensaries and 60 percent of hospitals in India are based in urban areas, claims a report released by KPMG and the organization of Pharmaceutical Producers of India (OPPI).

Government proposes complete ban on commercial surrogacy New Delhi , August 2016: The Union Cabinet gave its nod for the introduction in Parliament of the Surrogacy Regulation Bill, 2016, that seeks to "prohibit commercial surrogacy" and allow "ethical surrogacy" to needy infertile couples.

SC seeks Centre, MCI’s reply on guidelines for Private Hospitals new Delhi , AUGUST 2016: Are there any guidelines for private hospitals to make attendants aware of the treatment being provided to the patients admitted in ICUs or CCUs? The Supreme Court has asked this question to the Centre, states and Medical Council of India (MCI) following a petition by a man who lost his daughter-in-law due to alleged negligence on the part of doctors treating her at a private hospital in West Bengal.

Satara's 'Dr Death' admits to killing 6 with lethal injections SATARA, AUGUST 2016: Wai, a picturesque town in the foothills of Mahabaleshwar known as a favorite locale for Bollywood film crew in Maharashtra, was rocked by news of serial killings recently. A probe into the disappearance of an anganwadi teacher in the region had put the police on the trail of a fake doctor and eventually un-covered six murders committed by the same man over 13 years.

Shocking! Surgeons in Kerala hospital remove uterus, leave clip inside woman Thiruvananthapuram, August 2016: This information might come as a shocking news to all of us as it is reported that surgeons at a hospital in Kerala removed the uterus but left a surgical instrument within the bowels of a woman patient and stitched the incision.

Global Injections

'Born to be benign' cells could help in identifying esophageal cancer at early stage August 2016: A recent study has revealed some cells that are 'born to be bad' could be identified early, preventing the need for repeated endoscopies.

Cervical cancer can possibly be eliminated SINGAPORE, August 2016: Cervical cancer has the possibility of elimination and can be eradicated from many countries in the world in four to five decades, said Dr. R. Sankaranarayanan.

New non-invasive method could improve Parkinson's treatmentWashington, August 2016: A new, non-invasive method to track the progression of Parkinson's disease could help evaluate experimental treatments to slow or stop the progression of the disease, scientists say.

Another round of Zika virus hits Miami Beach, toll rises to 36August 2016: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Friday confirmed that the central tourist area of Miami Beach is now infected with mosquitoes carrying Zika and also warned pregnant women not to travel in the that area.

Unhealthy diet during pregnancy could be linked to ADHDAUGUST 2016: New research led by scientists from King's College London and the University of Bristol has found that a high-fat, high-sugar diet during pregnancy may be linked to symptoms of ADHD in children who show conduct problems early in life.

PSM PILL

Prince died as result of taking fentanyl-laced fake hydrocodone

When Prince Rogers Nelson died in April, it was reported that he died of an apparent overdose of opiates, which he had used to combat chronic hip pain. Now a new report from Minneapolis indicates he died as a result of taking counterfeit hydrocodone containing deadly fentanyl.

Tennessee medical office manager pleads guilty to importing non-fda approved cancer medication from Canada drugs subsidiary

Karen Chamberlain faces up to a year in prison on charges she purchased cancer drugs from clandestine medical importer, Quality Specialty Products (QSP). A 62-year old medical office manager in Tennessee is facing up to a year in prison after pleading guilty to misdemeanor charges that she imported non-FDA approved cancer medications for the clinic where she was employed, The Chattanoogan reports.

Frequently Asked Questions Q1. Chikungunya- some important details on it
Answer: Chikungunya is a mosquito-borne viral disease first described during an outbreak in southern Tanzania in 1952. It is an RNA virus that belongs to the alphavirus genus of the family Togaviridae. The name “chikungunya” derives from a word in the Kimakonde language, meaning “to become contorted”, and describes the stooped appearance of sufferers with joint pain (arthralgia). Read More>>>

Q2. Chikungunya- Prevention and control
Answer: The proximity of mosquito vector breeding sites to human habitation is a significant risk factor for chikungunya as well as for other diseases that these species transmit. Prevention and control relies heavily on reducing the number of natural and artificial water-filled container habitats that support breeding of the mosquitoes. This requires mobilization of affected communities. During outbreaks, insecticides may be sprayed to kill flying mosquitoes, applied to surfaces in and around containers where the mosquitoes land, and used to treat water in containers to kill the immature larvae.Read More>>>

SUBSCRIBER'S SYMPTOM

One should drink water on an empty stomach

Article contributed by one of our Subscriber: Ms. Anju Achenkunju, Thiruvananthapuram

We usually drink water whenever we feel thirsty or after having a meal or something spicy. However, most of us do not know that drinking water on an empty stomach is as good as it can cure almost all health related problems in our body. The best way to quench your thirst is drinking water.

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