PSM News

May 13,2024 New Delhi: The number of pathological tests conducted by two private diagnostic laboratories at mohalla clinics has registered a decline of nearly 80 per cent since the anti-corruption branch of Delhi govt submitted its report on a preliminary enquiry into alleged irregularities to CBI in Feb this year. According to a report prepared by the health and family welfare department of Delhi govt, linking Aadhaar with patients’ mobile numbers was made mandatory after an initial inquiry in Dec 2023 indicated the possibility of irregularities and ghost patients, which led to a huge drop in the number of path tests. According to the report, both the number of patients tested and tests conducted at the two laboratories registered a sharp decline. Between Feb 2023 and April 2023, the two laboratories together tested 2,40,850 patients and conducted 7,52,186 tests. However, the number fell to 50,959 patients and 153,902 tests between Feb 2024 and April 2024 (till April 21). AAP govt in Delhi has outsourced the lab investigation services to Agilus Diagnostics and Metropolis Healthcare for mohalla clinics and state-run dispensaries, hospitals and polyclinics. Anti-Corruption Bureau’s preliminary findings suggested a potential scam involving “fake or manipulated” tests. When contacted, Delhi govt said there was a lot of pressure on doctors of mohalla clinics to reduce the number of pathological tests. It added that a number of patients from lower and middle-income groups were widely using the free pathological tests services of mohalla clinics and even those who were consulting central govt hospitals like AIIMS, Safdarjung and Ram Manohar Lohia were availing of this facility. Agilus Diagnostics Ltd, in a statement, said that patient registration, including the linkage through Aadhaar or other IDs for each patient, was the responsibility of Delhi govt staff at health facilities. “Agilus Diagnostics solely manages the testing process for samples received at its laboratory from these health facilities. We would like to mention that there has been a significant increase in referrals and tests conducted since mid-March 2024,” the company said. There was no response from Metropolis Healthcare Limited. ACB had conducted an analysis of pathological tests done at the city’s mohalla clinics between Feb and Dec last year and found “massive irregularities”. The investigating agency, in its PE report, stated that the two pathological laboratories had together conducted nearly 2.2 million tests across the city between Feb and Dec 2023, of which at least 65,000 tests, out of a random sample of 1.15 lakh, were “found to be fake or manipulated”. “There is a serious lapse/misconduct on the part of the district nodal officer, cluster in charge, and project director who failed to supervise and monitor the scrutiny of tests properly. The data indicates a massive fraud, manipulation of records by the outsourced labs with an intention to create a huge loss to the govt exchequer amounting to crores of rupees,” an ACB mentioned in the PE. Following an impact assessment study conducted earlier in seven mohalla clinics by the health and family welfare department of Delhi govt, LG VK Saxena had recommended a CBI investigation into it. A separate inquiry by ACB was also recommended in the case. According to ACB’s PE report, mentioning the name and mobile number of the patient was compulsory for making an entry in the Lab Information Management System, as the reports were also required to be sent to the registered mobile number. Since the system was designed and developed by the outsourced agencies, they had full control and access over the entire data. “Hence, the possibility of manipulation of data by the outsourced lab vendors could not be ruled out,” the report added. ACB had also conducted random tele-verification of mobile numbers of patients at both private labs, which revealed that a large number of tests were conducted on either invalid mobile numbers or mobile numbers not related to the patients. A large number of tests was allegedly done without the presence of treating doctors. Source: Healthworld

May 10,2024 Covid-19 may have gone away but controversies over vaccine side-effects refuse to die. Covishield, the Covid-19 vaccine developed by UK-based drug major AstraZeneca and Oxford University and produced in India by Serum Institute of India, has triggered a big controversy in India with political parties too jumping in. There are demands for compensation for family members of people who died allegedly due to the vaccine side effects and to review the science behind all Covid vaccines. It all started with a submission made by Astrazeneva in a British court. It said in court documents that its Covid vaccine can cause a rare side effect, the UK’s Daily Telegraph newspaper reported nearly 10 days ago. The pharmaceutical giant is being sued for over £100 million (a little over Rs 1,000 crore) in class action over claims its vaccine caused death and serious injury in 51 cases, according to court documents seen by the Daily Telegraph, a British newspaper. AstraZeneca is contesting the claims but has accepted, in a legal document submitted to the high court in February, that its Covid vaccine “can, in very rare cases, cause thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome”, which causes people to have blood clots and a low blood platelet count. One of the claimants is Jamie Scott, a father of two, who was left with a permanent brain injury after developing a blood clot and a bleed on the brain that prevented him from working after he received the AstraZeneca vaccine in April 2021. Lawyers representing families suing the drugs company argue that the vaccine was not as safe as individuals were entitled to expect. They are suing the firm under the Consumer Protection Act of 1987, arguing the maximum £12,000 (more than Rs 12 lakh) payout they could get from the UK-govt-run vaccine compensation scheme is inadequate. In India, the said vaccine was sold under the brand name Covishield manufactured by the Serum Institute of India (SII) in Pune. After the revelation about Astrazeneca’s submission in the UK court, parents of a woman who allegedly died after taking Covishield decided to file a case against SII. Venugopalan Govindan, father of Karunya, who died after taking the vaccine, said the admission by AstraZeneca is “too late” and has come after so many lives have been lost. ” The parents have already filed a writ petition seeking compensation, appointment of an expert medical board independent of the government to forthwith inquire into and investigate the deaths of their daughter, and to share the report of the investigation with them. A group of parents who lost their children to alleged adverse effects after taking Covishield, believes the number of deaths or serious injury could be much more in India than the government figures even as more parents join in to fight it out in the court. A plea has been filed in the Supreme Court, seeking setting up of an expert medical panel to study and assess the possible risk factors associated with the vaccine. It calls for a direction to the Centre to implement a vaccine damage payment system to compensate citizens who are severely disabled or deceased as a result of the vaccine. A doctors’ group has urged the government to review the science behind all Covid vaccines and audit their commercialisation as well as implementation of active surveillance and monitoring mechanisms to ensure vaccine adverse events are identified as early as possible. Source: Economic Times

May 12,2024 In the realm of herbal supplements, few hold as revered a status as Tulsi powder, derived from the sacred Tulsi plant. Renowned for its multifaceted health benefits, Tulsi has been a cornerstone of Ayurvedic medicine for centuries. In this article, we embark on a journey to explore the best Tulsi powders available in the market today. From the best products to its myriad uses, we delve into the intricacies of Tulsi powder, examining purity, potency, and quality across a spectrum of brands. B Naturall offers Holi Basil Leaf Powder, also known as Holy Basil Leaf Powder, in a convenient pack of 500 grams x 2, totaling 1 kilogram. Sourced from the finest leaves and traditional farms, the Tulsi powder is packed under hygienic conditions to preserve its freshness and flavor. Tulsi, revered in traditional Indian medicine for centuries, contains numerous beneficial compounds known as phytochemicals. These compounds exhibit strong antioxidant, antibacterial, antiviral, and immune-enhancing properties. Holi basil powder can be utilized in various ways, from consumption to external application, and is recommended for daily use. It supports the alleviation of skin and hair problems, including acne, pimples, eczema, and itchy scalp, thanks to its antibacterial properties Herbal Hills presents Holi Tulsi Powder in a convenient 1 kg pack. Pregnant or lactating women are advised to consume herbal products under the guidance of a healthcare practitioner. It is recommended to store the powder in a cool, dry place and keep it out of reach of children, protecting it from sunlight. The suggested dosage is 2 grams of powder, 1 to 2 times a day. The product contains only Tulsi powder and is made from quality ingredients. It is essential to read labels, warnings, and directions before use and to avoid contact with items that may damage the product. byPureNaturals offers 100% Natural Organic Holi Tulsi Leaf Powder designed for skin and hair care, available in a pack of 2, with each pack containing 115 grams. This Tulsi leaf powder is entirely organic and pure, without any added chemicals, making it suitable for both men and women. It is specifically formulated to stimulate hair growth and is intended for external use only. This versatile product can be applied to both as Tulsi powder for hair and as Tulsi powder for skin, offering a natural solution for various beauty needs. CARMEL ORGANICS presents Tulsi powder for skin Powder in a 340-gram pack, certified by Jaivik Bharat. This Holy Basil Powder is intended for promoting health, skin, and hair benefits. It is non-GMO and free from added preservatives, ensuring purity and quality. The Tulsi powder is known to reduce stress and anxiety, stimulate and revitalize the body, and ease inflammation and joint pain. Additionally, it can be used externally in hair and skin packs for enhanced benefits. CARMEL ORGANICS is committed to improving consumer health sustainably, offering healthy products at fair prices through a sustainable process. SAPTAMVEDA presents Premium Tulsi Leaf Powder in a 150g pack, revered in Ayurveda for its numerous health benefits. Tulsi, or Holy Basil, is widely used in households as a home remedy for various issues due to its easy availability and effectiveness. Rich in phytonutrients, essential oils, Vitamin A, and C, Tulsi leaves support eye health, immunity, and overall wellness. Sourced from organic farms, the Tulsi powder is free from harmful chemicals and pesticides, ensuring purity and quality. It acts as an immunity booster and stress reliever, calming nerves and enhancing overall well-being. Additionally, it aids in detoxification, cleansing, and nourishment of the skin and hair, promoting inner and outer health. The Online Quality Store offers Tulsi Leaf Powder in a convenient 100g pack, known for its multiple benefits for skin and hair. Also known as Ocimum Sanctum or Holy Basil Powder, it serves as an all-in-one herbal solution. This herbal powder is formulated to promote healthy hair and skin. Each order contains 100g of this versatile herbal powder, suitable for various beauty and wellness applications. Kriday Herbs presents Pure and Natural Dried Tulsi Leaves Powder, known for its versatility and health benefits. Whether used fresh or in its dry form, it adds value to both sweet and savory dishes. Tulsi powder is a powerhouse of nutrients and vitamins, serving as a rich source of antioxidants that combat free radicals and aid the body in fighting common colds and coughs. Additionally, it can be brewed into Tulsi tea, offering relief from fever, sore throat, and respiratory problems. Embrace the natural goodness of Tulsi for boosted immunity and overall well-being. Source: Economic Times

May 02,2024 AstraZeneca, the company that sold the vaccination in India, acknowledged in court a day ago that the Covid injection can have an uncommon side effect. As a result, the parents of the woman who is said to have died after taking the vaccine have chosen to sue Serum Institute of India (SII). With the revelation of AstraZeneca ‘s admission, the parents are optimistic of justice. The multinational pharmaceutical company is facing legal action from a class-action lawsuit alleging that the Covid-19 vaccine, which it co-developed with the University of Oxford, resulted in fatalities and severe injuries, including thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS), a dangerous side effect that lowers platelet counts and causes blood clots. Karunya, the daughter of Venugopalan Govindan, passed away in July 2021 following her Covishield vaccination. Nonetheless, the government-appointed national committee found insufficient evidence to draw the conclusion that the vaccine was the cause of her death. This is the result of AstraZeneca’s admission in court documents that a rare adverse effect of their vaccination could be reduced platelet count and blood clotting. AstraZeneca is being sued in a class-action case in the UK. The father daughter Karunya, who passed away following the vaccination, Venugopalan Govindan, stated that AstraZeneca’s admission is “too late” and that it comes too late in the aftermath of so many lives lost. “AstraZeneca and SII should have stopped the manufacture and supply of these vaccines when 15 European countries either suspended or age-limited these due to deaths from blood clots that happened in March 2021, within a couple of months of the rollout of the vaccine itself.” In their writ petition, the parents are requesting restitution, the appointment of an impartial medical board to look into their daughter’s death as soon as possible, and access to the investigation’s findings. SII stated that they “won’t be commenting on this matter” when questioned. AstraZeneca reportedly acknowledged that the Covid vaccination “may, in very rare cases, cause TTS” in a court filing. “In spite of the uncommon risk of TTS, Covishield, which was used to vaccinate 90% of India’s population, has done well in India,” a senior member of the Covid working group told ET, downplaying worries of unfavorable outcomes. Experts also emphasized how much immunization can do to lessen the effects of the illness. According to Govindan, the government and the vaccine’s maker marketed the Covid shots as “safe and effective” across the country at great financial expense without providing enough evidence. According to him, they decided not to halt the rollout or at the very least raise awareness within the medical community and public about the unfavorable events as data from all over the world started to surface. “The regulatory bodies that approved it and subsequently didn’t intervene to stop it when data emerged about the dangers, are all culpable in the death of my daughter and countless others who have died after taking this so-called vaccine,” he claimed. Until the very end, he said, the current cases. “If sufficient remedies aren’t obtained, for the sake of justice and to prevent recurrence of this atrocity that was perpetrated in the name of public health, we will file fresh cases against any and all of those perpetrators because of whose actions the deaths of our children ensued,” he stated. Source: TOI

May 10,2024 Arogya Bharati and the Innovative Thought Forum are advocating for changes to the Drugs and Magic Remedies (DMR) (Objectionable Advertisements) Act. They propose amendments that include imposing hefty penalties for non-conformity with the regulations. At a recently concluded roundtable of experts from allopathy, Ayush, consumer education and advocacy, regulatory agencies among other stakeholders, hosted by Arogya Bharati and the Innovative Thought Forum saw the DMR Act coming under severe criticism. S B Dangayach, national vice president, Arogya Bharati and founder trustee, Innovative Thought Forum who moderated the roundtable, said that while the Act needs to be revamped totally, advertising agencies should also be made responsible along with the non-complying parties. Advertisements should be across electronic channels, print and social media platforms. Vernacular newspapers must be scrutinized for objectionable advertisements as the readership mainly comprise the rural populace. There should be a provision for ‘corrective advertisement’ in case violation is established and the party is penalized. Advertising Standards Council of India should take serious cognisance of the rules. There needs to be a provision for pre- vetting of advertisements, he added. Providing a background of the Act, the roundtable experts said that manufacture, sale and distribution of drugs of all kinds came under radar of British government in India which led to the formation of drug enquiry committee (DEC) in 1930 and Col (Dr) R N Chopra was its chairman. Chopra committee report is considered as the starting point of several legislations in the field of pharmaceuticals such as the Drugs and Cosmetics Act 1940. Before independence and after, there was widespread advertising of all types of allopathic and Indian systems of medicines with false, misleading and irrational claims luring people to consume them with several harmful side effects, they said. To this end, the DMR Act, 1954 was introduced to check self-medication for 54 diseases as specified in the schedule. Hence the law prohibited all types of public communication or advertisements for drugs meant for prevention, diagnostics, mitigation and treatment. This Act indirectly urged all the people to go through registered medical practitioners (RMPs) for treatment of specified diseases and conditions. Over time, the Act came under severe criticism compelling government to go in for its amendment in 2020. In this version, advertisement definition was expanded to include electronic and other media and expand the list of diseases from 54 to 78. But the draft remained on paper for reasons unknown, said Dangayach. According to Dr Ashok Varshney, organising secretary, Arogya Bharati, the DMR Act, should go in for a pragmatic restructuring. He insisted the complete overhaul and drafting of a fresh Act should be relevant in the current context. Even as Section 7 of the existing DMR Act is on penalties, yet it is not a deterrent in today’s context. Along with its poor implementation, CDSCO drug inspectors are not empowered to take any punitive actions, against the defaulters of the Act, said the roundtable panel. The way forward would be to bring in the flexibility of compulsory review and makes changes every 5 years to keep the Act relevant. Efforts on simplification of the contents with lucid and unambiguous language to reduce litigation needs to be looked into. Importance to practical implementation of the Act, keeping in mind the limited manpower needs to be addressed. Overall the changes to make Act simple, sensible, pragmatic and consumer-oriented is much-desired, said Dangayach. Source: Pharmabiz

May 05,2024 New Delhi: An ongoing lawsuit in the UK over Covid vaccination has caused a global furore, including in India. UK’s The Telegraph has reported that AstraZeneca admitted in court documents that its Covid vaccinecan cause blood clots in rare instances. The pharma major is facing a class action lawsuit over claimsthat its vaccine, developed with University of Oxford, caused death and injuries. In India, where themajority of people were administered Covishield, as the AstraZeneca vaccine was known here, thenews has caused concern. Dr Shahid Jameel, virologist and research fellow at Green Templeton College,University of Oxford, tells Indulekha Aravind that there is no cause for worry as benefits far outweigh risks. But playing politics with this, he says, is both wrong and dangerous. This is not new. It has been coming up since 2021. Based on The Telegraph report that everyone seems to be referring to, what did AstraZeneca admit? It said there was a very rare chance of something called. TTS is thrombosis and thrombocytopenia syndrome. Thrombosis means blood clots, thrombocytopenia means a reduction in the level of platelets. Platelets prevent bleeding so people who have low platelets bleed at the slightest provocation and this bleeding leads to internal clotting. A dengue virus infection can also cause thrombocytopenia. So they have admitted to a very rare event. Now, how rare is very rare? Different countries have computed their own risk. The UK computed a risk of four cases of TTS in 1 million vaccinated people. The EU has computed it to be one in 100,000 and Australia 2-3 per 100,000. So this is extremely rare. In India, we don’t know this because there have been no studies. Looking at this risk, I would say it’s no cause for worry. Now to put some perspective to what this risk means. The highest figure is 2-3 per 100,000 people. If you look at the risk of dying in a traffic accident, the global average is 17-18 per 100,000. So at its worst, the AstraZeneca vaccine has a TTS risk which is five to nine times lower than the risk of dying in a traffic accident. That doesn’t stop us from driving. But in election time in India, vaccines have suddenly become a political issue (again). It was made a political issue by the ruling dispensation and now the opposition is trying to play politics with it. That’s wrong. That’s dangerous. It shouldn’t be done. Essentially, this vaccine is based on a live adenovirus particle. It’s a chimpanzee adenovirus in which the Covid virus surface protein gene has been engineered. Why exactly clots happen is not clearly known. But going back to the dengue virus example, where that virus also causes a loss in platelets, it happens because the virus possibly actively kills platelets or it infects cells which release substances that kill platelets. So my suspicion is that the adenovirus also, in rare instances, causes something like that. But the whole point is the risk is so low and the benefits of taking the vaccine are so high that it makes sense to take the vaccine. Every vaccine carries a risk. Take the highly successful oral polio vaccine, which has been used not just in India but all over the world. That vaccine itself has a one in a million chance of causing polio in children. Now, if you see this from the perspective of that one child in the million, the risk is 100. But if you look at it from a population perspective, then the benefits far outweigh the risk. We have to realise that vaccines are tools for public health and if the benefit far outweighs the risk, then you use it. Now, the main difference between other vaccines and Covid vaccines was that these were developed during an ongoing pandemic. This is the first time that a vaccine was used to stop a pandemic. If you had the benefit of testing the vaccine for 10 years before you release it, you could possibly test some of these. But if the risk is 2 in 100,000 you would have to test it in at least a million plus to see that risk show up. Regulators look at clinical trial data. But the job of the regulator doesn’t stop only when the vaccine is approved. There’s what we call Phase IV studies, after the vaccine is deployed. It’s like with any product — after it is released, you conduct market surveys to find out they’ve been successful. The regulator should continuously look at data coming from the field after the vaccines have been deployed to understand if something really is going wrong, (and if it is) then they should stop. The decision initially to deploy Covishield and Covaxin was the right decision because those were available in plenty in the country. But later when it came to booster vaccinations, global data was clear that a third dose of Covishield or a third dose of Covaxin doesn’t do much good. And by that time, India had also developed and approved some protein vaccines. For example, Serum Institute of India (which also made Covishield) had made Covovax. My view is that for booster doses, we should have deployed protein vaccines. But by the time those were approved for boosters, it was too late. It is sheer stupidity. Look at global data. I will cite just one study from the US which looked at Covid-related mortality between Republicans and Democrats. The study looked at those counties that voted for Trump as president versus those that voted for Biden. When they looked at Covid-related mortality in 2020, before vaccines became available, there was no difference. That all the misinformation and rhetoric around vaccines that Donald Trump stated had an impact on his committed voters. Trump took the vaccine, he had the best drugs available, but many of the people who listened to him didn’t survive. What our politicians say and do when it comes to using public health tools is very

May 06,2024 New Delhi: Guidelines to combat heat waves have been released by the Government of India’s Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on X. “Heatwaves are here, but we can be prepared!” it said. If you feel lightheaded or uneasy, prepare for a heatwave by following these first aid instructions: drink water to rehydrate, take off your clothes if you can, get to a cooler location right away, sponge with water, and do not force feed or provide water if you are unconscious. One of the most important points in these rules is that people who pass out shouldn’t be force-fed or given water. Why is it not a good idea to force feed someone who is unconscious? An unconscious person lacks the swallowing reflex, which might result in aspiration. This implies that food or liquids may reach the lungs rather than the stomach, leading to respiratory discomfort and pneumonia. Improper fluid administration can result in blood electrolyte abnormalities. Seizures, abnormal cardiac rhythms, and other issues may result from this. By emphasizing oral intake, one may postpone getting a proper medical evaluation to determine what is causing the coma. Exceptions to the guidelines The rules against giving water or forcibly feeding unconscious people are non-negotiable. This guideline’s fundamental focus on airway protection and safety makes it applicable in all medical situations. It is a fundamental principle that only conscious persons who are able to defend their airway and swallow deliberately should take food or water, regardless of the particular medical circumstances. This broad application emphasizes how vital consciousness and airway integrity are in deciding when it is appropriate to give nourishment. How to handle an unconscious person In order to ensure the well-being of an unconscious person in need of medical assistance, laypersons should do certain actions. First and foremost, they need to put the unconscious person in a coma as soon as possible and place them in a lateral or recovery posture. This position lowers the risk of airway obstruction by making it easier to maintain an open airway and by assisting in the drainage of oral secretions. Seek for emergency medical assistance right away. Raise the chin and slightly tilt the head to one side to maintain an unobstructed airway. Make sure the person who is unconscious is breathing at all times. If trained, start CPR if the person is not breathing. In the recovery position, turn the unconscious person over on his or her side. If they throw up, this keeps their airway open and keeps them from choking. Source: Healthworld

May 07,2024 London: A team of scientists from the world’s leading universities have developed a new all-in-one vaccine that they hope can protect humans against a broad range of coronaviruses, including ones that are yet to emerge. The research published in ‘Nature Nanotechnology’ on Monday is based on a new approach to vaccine development called “proactive vaccinology”, where scientists build a vaccine before the disease-causing pathogen even emerges, which has shown promising results in mice. The study by the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge in the UK and Caltech in the US says the vaccine works by training the body’s immune system to recognise specific regions of eight different coronaviruses, including SARS-CoV-2 which caused the COVID-19 outbreak, and several that are currently circulating in bats and have potential to jump to humans and cause a pandemic. “Our focus is to create a vaccine that will protect us against the next coronavirus pandemic, and have it ready before the pandemic has even started,” said Rory Hills, a graduate researcher in the University of Cambridge’s Department of Pharmacology and first author of the report. For example, the new vaccine does not include the SARS-CoV-1 coronavirus, which caused the 2003 SARS outbreak, yet it still induces an immune response to that virus. “We’ve created a vaccine that provides protection against a broad range of different coronaviruses – including ones we don’t even know about yet,” said Hills. Key to its effectiveness is that the specific virus regions the vaccine targets also appear in many related coronaviruses. By training the immune system to attack these regions, it gives protection against other coronaviruses not represented in the vaccine, including ones that haven’t even been identified yet. “We don’t have to wait for new coronaviruses to emerge. We know enough about coronaviruses, and different immune responses to them, that we can get going with building protective vaccines against unknown coronaviruses now,” said Professor Mark Howarth in the University of Cambridge’s Department of Pharmacology, senior author of the report. “Scientists did a great job in quickly producing an extremely effective COVID vaccine during the last pandemic, but the world still had a massive crisis with a huge number of deaths. We need to work out how we can do even better than that in the future, and a powerful component of that is starting to build the vaccines in advance,” he said. The new ‘Quartet Nanocage’ vaccine is based on a structure called a nanoparticle – a ball of proteins held together by incredibly strong interactions. Chains of different viral antigens are attached to this nanoparticle using a novel “protein superglue”. Multiple antigens are included in these chains, which trains the immune system to target specific regions shared across a broad range of coronaviruses. The latest study demonstrated that the new vaccine raises a broad immune response, even in mice that were pre-immunised with SARS-CoV-2. The new vaccine is much simpler in design than other broadly protective vaccines currently in development, which the researchers believe should accelerate its route into clinical trials. The underlying technology that the scientific collaboration has developed also has potential for use in vaccine development to protect against many other health challenges. It is said to improve on previous work, by the Oxford and Caltech groups, to develop a novel all-in-one vaccine against coronavirus threats. According to experts, conventional vaccines include a single antigen to train the immune system to target a single specific virus, which may not protect against a diverse range of existing coronaviruses or against pathogens that are newly emerging. The latest research was funded by the UK’s Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council. Source: Pharma

May 05,2024 New Delhi: A day after several media reports allegedly claimed that the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has allowed 10 times more pesticide residue in herbs and spices, the regulatory body in its first public response called those reports as false and malicious. Clarifying that India has one of the most stringent standards of Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) the regulator cited that MRLs of pesticides are fixed differently for different food commodities based on their risk assessments. Pesticides are regulated by the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare (MoA & FW) through the Central Insecticide Board and Registration Committee (CIB & RC) constituted under the Insecticide Act,1968. The CIB & RC regulate the manufacturing, import, transport, storage of pesticides and accordingly the Pesticides are registered/banned/restricted by CIB and RC. “The scientific panel on pesticides residues of Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) examines the data received through CIB & RC and recommends the MRLs after performing risk assessment considering the dietary consumption of Indian population and health concerns in respect of all age groups,” the statement said. Total pesticides registered by CIB & RC in India are more than 295 out of which 139 pesticides are registered for use in spices. Codex has adopted 243 pesticides out of which 75 pesticides are applicable for spices. Comparing the quality standards the regulatory body said, “One pesticide/insecticide is used in more than 10 crops with different MRLs. For example, Flubendiamide is used in brinjal with an MRL of 0.1 whereas for bengal gram the MRL is 1.0 mg/kg, for cabbage 4 mg/kg, for tomato 2 mg/kg and for tea it is 50 mg/kg. Similarly, monocrotophos used for food grains with MRLs at 0.03 mg/kg, for citrus fruits 0.2 mg/kg, for dried chilli it is 2 mg/kg and for cardamom 0.5 mg/kg.” “The MRLs fixed by CODEX for Myclobutanil used for chilli is 20 mg/kg whereas the limit set by FSSAI is 2 mg/kg. For Spiromesifen, used for chilli, codex limit is 5 mg/kg whereas FSSAI limit is 1 mg/kg. Similarly, codex standards for Metalaxyl and Metalaxyl-M used for black pepper is 2 mg/kg whereas the limit set by FSSAI is 0.5 mg/kg/,” FSSAI added in the statement. The MRLs are dynamic in nature and regularly revised based on the scientific data. This practice is aligned with global standards and ensures that MRL revisions are made on a scientifically valid basis, reflecting the latest findings and international norms and FSSAI aligns with the updated standards of MRLs set by Codex Alimentarius Commission and (International Food Safety and Quality Standard setting body created by WHO and FAO of UN) and the European Union. Source: Healthworld

May 10,2024 New Delhi: In a recent study conducted in the US, it has been found that 90 per cent of the adults over the age of 20 are at a high risk of developing a heart disease. This does not mean that 90 per cent of the US Population has full blown heart disease but it only means that they are susceptible to developing conditions which quicken the onset of heart diseases, as per a report on NBC News. Researchers used a model which identified high risk population using the strong links between the heart and those who had obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular issues and Kidney diseases. While it is well known in the medical circles that those who suffer from any of the above mentioned conditions, do develop a susceptibility towards a heart disease, research has only confirmed this. Last year, the American Heart Association had warned Doctors about the Cardiovascular-Kidney-Metabolic (CKM) Syndrome that affected the heart. In the research, over 10,000 individuals were studied for over a decade and their risk propensity was categorized into different stages ranging from Zero which indicated no risk to 4 which indicated high risk. The findings of the research are that over 50 per cent of the participants were at Stage 2 of CKM which indicated moderate risk. Close to 25 per cent of the people were at Stage 1 indicating an increased risk and 15 per cent had advanced risk. One of the major factors is the prevalence of obesity, according to the study. Over 40 per cent of the American population is considered to be obese and another 32 per cent are over weight, measured according to the BMI index. The excess fat, especially around the stomach and other organs is found to be the culprit behind developing metabolic disorders such as Diabetes, Kidney and Liver related inflammation and other issues and finally Heart related issues. Dr Rahul Aggarwal who is a Cardiology fellow at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School is a co-author of this study. Source: Healthworld