Page 120 - Health Medical Pharma
Neeraj Bhargava Joins MedGenome Board of Directors
/ -- MedGenome, a genomics and clinical data driven diagnostics and drug discovery research company, announced that Neeraj Bhargava has joined their Board of Directors. Neeraj, an alumnus of St. Stephens, Delhi, is the founder, CEO and Senior Managing Director of Zodius Capital Advisors. Zodius is an early investor in MedGenome. Neeraj is passionate about building market-defining companies across industries that challenge the status quo. Neeraj has a stellar career behind him that includes taking companies from launch to unicorn status. Prior to joining Zodius, he had co-founded and led multiple companies including WNS Global Services and eVentures India. Currently, Neeraj is an investor-operator and a board member at companies like BigBasket, Allygrow and MarketsandMarkets. Neeraj is also the CEO and Chairman of Rainshine Entertainment, a next-generation media and entertainment company. "Neeraj's unique combination of entrepreneurial, consulting and operational experience, coupled ..
'Race for 7': A multi-city run to create awareness for rare diseases
It is possible to live a fairly normal life with a rare disease, may be difficult but certainly not impossible.While most of us don't know much about rare diseases, The Organization for Rare Diseases India (ORDI), a not for profit organisation committed to addressing the challenges of the rare disease community in India, on Wednesday, announced 'Race for 7', a multi-city run/walk to raise funds and awareness for rare disease patients in India.'Race for 7' symbolically represents 7000 rare diseases with 7000 people running for 7 kilometres to represent the average number of years it takes to diagnose a rare disease. The run is being organised in New Delhi on March 17th at the Institute of Genomics & Integrative Biology (IGIB) Mathura Road at 6:30 am.Although an estimated 1 in 20 Indians suffers from a rare disease, lack of awareness and information has created several challenges for patients and their caregivers, most importantly delayed diagnosis, affordable and targeted care and .
SC asks ex-Ranbaxy promoters to apprise how they'll comply with Rs 3500 cr arbitral award
The Supreme Court Thursday asked former Ranbaxy promoters Malvinder Singh and Shivinder Singh to apprise it how they propose to comply with the Rs 3500 crore arbitral award passed against them by a Singapore tribunal. A bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Googi asked the Singh brothers, who were present in the court, to consult their financial and legal advisors and give a concrete plan on how they will comply with the tribunal's order. "It is not about individual honour but it doesn't look good for the country's honour. You were the flag bearers of the pharmacare industry and it doesn't look good that you are appearing in court," the bench also comprising justices Deepak Gupta and Sanjiv Khanna said. The bench asked the Singh brothers to appear before it on March 28 and submit the plan, saying "hopefully it will be the last time you are appearing in the court". The apex court was hearing the plea of Japanese firm Daiichi Sankyo which is seeking to recover Rs 3,500 crore, awarded to .
Green tea may cut obesity risk, other health disorders: Study
Green tea may reduce the risk of obesity and a number of inflammatory biomarkers linked with poor health, a study conducted in mice suggests. Mice fed a diet of two per cent green tea extract fared far better than those that ate a diet without it, according to the study published in the Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry. The finding has prompted an upcoming study of green tea's potential benefits in people at high risk of diabetes and heart disease. The benefits seen in the study appear to stem from improved gut health, including more beneficial microbes in the intestines of the mice and less permeability in the intestinal wall -- a condition typically called "leaky gut" in people. "This study provides evidence that green tea encourages the growth of good gut bacteria, and that leads to a series of benefits that significantly lower the risk of obesity," said Richard Bruno, the study's lead author and a professor at The Ohio State University in the US. Negative changes in the gut ...
Zydus receives USFDA final approval for Potassium Chloride Extended-Release Capsules
This medication is a mineral supplement used to treat or prevent low amounts of potassium in the blood. Potassium helps your cells, kidneys, heart, muscles and nerves work properly. Some conditions that can lower the body's potassium level include severe prolonged diarrhoea and vomiting, hormone problems such as hyperaldosteronism, or treatment with 'water pills'/diuretics.
Gujarat man seeks mercy killing of daughter; moves HC
The Gujarat High Court Wednesday issued notice to the state government on a petition by a man seeking mercy killing of his 23-year-old daughter suffering from cerebral palsy, a set of neurological disorders that affect muscle movement and coordination. Justice A Y Kogje issued the notice to the government and the medical superintendent of Ahmedabad Civil Hospital on the petition filed by Devendra Rajgor, the father of Vaidehi. The notice is returnable on April 3. In his petition, Rajgor said the elder of his two daughters suffers from cerebral palsy, an incurable disease caused by disruption in brain development. He sought direction to the respondent authority to end the "miserable life" of Vaidehi. Her medical condition has been worsening day by day, he said, adding she suffers from seizure, has difficulties in walking, eating, speech development, precise motion, vision and hearing, among other things. Rajgor said his daughter is unable to move and her life is "not less than a curse"
Gujarat man seeks mercy killing of daughter; moves HC
The Gujarat High Court Wednesday issued notice to the state government on a petition by a man seeking mercy killing of his 23-year-old daughter suffering from cerebral palsy, a set of neurological disorders that affect muscle movement and coordination. Justice A Y Kogje issued the notice to the government and the medical superintendent of Ahmedabad Civil Hospital on the petition filed by Devendra Rajgor, the father of Vaidehi. The notice is returnable on April 3. In his petition, Rajgor said the elder of his two daughters suffers from cerebral palsy, an incurable disease caused by disruption in brain development. He sought direction to the respondent authority to end the "miserable life" of Vaidehi. Her medical condition has been worsening day by day, he said, adding she suffers from seizure, has difficulties in walking, eating, speech development, precise motion, vision and hearing, among other things. Rajgor said his daughter is unable to move and her life is "not less than a curse"
Lupin gets OAI letter from USFDA for MP plant
Drug firm Lupin said Wednesday it has been cautioned by the US health regulator with possible withholding of approvals of pending applications from its Mandideep facility in Madhya Pradesh, where it is facing manufacturing compliance issues. The company has received a letter from the US Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) classifying the inspection conducted at its Mandideep (Unit 1) facility in December 2018 as Official Action Indicated' (OAI), Lupin said in a regulatory filing. "The USFDA has stated that this facility may be subject to regulatory or administrative action and that it may withhold approval of any pending applications or supplements in which this facility is listed," it added. The Mumbai-based company however clarified that there were no new drug master files (DMF) and Abbreviated New Drug Applications (ANDA) pending review or approval from the Mandideep (Unit 1) facility. "The company does not believe that this classification will have an impact on disruption of ...
Lupin gets OAI letter from USFDA for MP plant
Drug firm Lupin said Wednesday it has been cautioned by the US health regulator with possible withholding of approvals of pending applications from its Mandideep facility in Madhya Pradesh, where it is facing manufacturing compliance issues. The company has received a letter from the US Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) classifying the inspection conducted at its Mandideep (Unit 1) facility in December 2018 as Official Action Indicated' (OAI), Lupin said in a regulatory filing. "The USFDA has stated that this facility may be subject to regulatory or administrative action and that it may withhold approval of any pending applications or supplements in which this facility is listed," it added. The Mumbai-based company however clarified that there were no new drug master files (DMF) and Abbreviated New Drug Applications (ANDA) pending review or approval from the Mandideep (Unit 1) facility. "The company does not believe that this classification will have an impact on disruption of ...
Tea Board issues fresh guidelines with eye on quality
The Tea Board of India has issued fresh guidelines for maintaining tea quality so that the country can remain globally competitive and sustain the domestic consumption. In a notice, the board said that tea occupied an important place not only because of its contribution to the countrys economy but also because the sector provided livelihood to a large number of people. Therefore, adherence to quality standards is of utmost importance in the world and India, it said. In a similar guideline issued earlier, the Tea Board had asked the tea growers to refrain from plucking before first flush this year for maintaining quality. An industry observer said that while these guidelines already existed in the Tea Act of 1953, they were hardly enforced by the Tea Board. Tea Board, as the apex body for the tea industry, has undertaken several measures to maintain the quality of Indian tea by issuing directives from time to time to the tea producers, buyers, packagers and others to ...
Why suggestion to have CSR account in govt hospitals not followed: HC asks Centre, Delhi govt
The Delhi High Court on Wednesday asked the Centre and the AAP government why they have not followed its suggestion to have a separate account in hospitals run by them to receive donations from charitable entities or companies under corporate social responsibility (CSR). A bench of Chief Justice Rajendra Menon and Justice A J Bhambani issued notice to the Ministry of Health and the Delhi government's Health Department seeking their response on the issue which the court has taken up as a PIL on its own. The court initiated the PIL after receiving a letter from an NGO, Heart Care Foundation of India, which claimed that neither the central government nor the Delhi government had followed the various suggestions, including having a separate CSR account, given by the high court in a 2014 judgement. CSR is an initiative under which companies can contribute to welfare of society either financially or through their products and services free of cost. In its 2014 judgement, the high court had .
Smoking, high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity linked to unhealthy brain
Here is another reason to let go of unhealthy addictions. According to a recent study, factors that influence the health of our blood vessels, such as smoking, high blood and pulse pressures, obesity and diabetes, are linked to less healthy brains.The study examined the associations between seven vascular risk factors and differences in the structures of parts of the brain. The strongest links were with areas of the brain known to be responsible for our more complex thinking skills, and which deteriorate during the development of Alzheimer's disease and dementia.The researchers, led by Simon Cox, a senior research associate at the University of Edinburgh (UK), examined MRI scans of brains of 9,772 people, aged between 44 and 79, who were enrolled in the UK Biobank study - one of the largest groups of people from the general population to have data available on brain imaging as well as general health and medical information. All had been scanned by a single scanner in Cheadle, ...
Unichem Labs gets USFDA nod to market Allopurinol tablets
Drug firm Unichem Laboratories Wednesday said it has received approval from the US health regulator to market its Allopurinol tablets. The company has received approval from the United States Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) to market generic Allopurinol tablets in the strengths of 100 mg and 300 mg, Unichem Laboratories said in a filing to BSE. The tablets are generic version of Zyloprim talets, it added. The product will be commercialised from company's Ghaziabad plant, Unichem Laboratories said. The tablets are indicated for management of patients with signs and symptoms of primary or secondary gout and those with leukemia, lymphoma and malignancies who are receiving cancer therapy which causes elevations of serum and urinary uric acid levels among others. Shares of Unichem Laboratories closed at Rs 204.75 per scrip on BSE, up 1.16 per cent from their previous close.
Jubilant Pharma's ratings unaffected by USFDA warning at Roorkee plant: Fitch
Jubilant Pharma's credit profile remains unaffected by the US Food and Drug Administration's (USFDA) recent regulatory action at its Roorkee facility, Fitch Ratings said on Wednesday. The current rating of the company is 'BB-', with stable outlook. According to Fitch, the 'BB' rating indicates an elevated vulnerability to default risk, particularly in the event of adverse changes in business or economic conditions over time; however, business or financial flexibility exists that supports the servicing of financial commitments. The rating agency said it expects Jubilant Pharma Ltd's (JPL) management to take timely measures to address the issues raised by the US health regulator. The plant makes generic solid-dosage products and has limited contribution to JPL's revenue and earnings due to the Singapore-based company's greater focus on speciality-pharmaceutical segments, Fitch Ratings said in a statement. The USFDA had issued a warning letter for the Roorkee facility on March 6 after ...
Eating walnuts may boost metabolism: Study
Regular consumption of walnuts may help reduce the potential prevalence rate of diabetes by improving metabolic syndrome risk factors, a study claims. According to the study, published in the journal Nutrition Research and Practice, consuming walnuts may bring positive changes to metabolic syndrome status by increasing high-density lipoprotein (HDL) or "good" cholesterol and decreasing fasting glucose level. Consuming walnuts daily could contribute to alleviating potential prevalence rate of diabetes by favourably changing hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and circulating adiponectin levels. HbA1c is the average blood glucose (sugar) levels for the last two to three months. This study was conducted in the form of controlled crossover trial after randomly dividing 119 of Korean male and female adults (aged 30 to 55 years) with metabolic syndrome into two groups. Subjects in the first group were instructed to consume 45 grammes of walnuts, and the second group received iso-caloric white bread ..
Unichem Lab firms up after USFDA approval for Allopurinol tablets
Unichem Laboratories rose 1.80% to Rs 206.05 at 15:17 IST on BSE after the company said it received approval from the US drug regulator to market a generic version of Zyloprim tablets.
Infertility in women linked to higher cancer risk
Infertility is associated with a higher risk of developing cancer in women of childbearing age, say researchers including one of Indian-origin.
Air pollution raises diabetes risk in China: study
Long-term exposure to harmful smog particles increases the risk of diabetes, a new study in China has shown, providing evidence for a link between the country's air pollution and the disease. China is facing the largest diabetes problem in the world with around 11 per cent of its population suffering from the metabolic illness, according to a United States study published in 2017. Increased prosperity has brought changing diets and lifestyles, along with an air pollution crisis that the World Health Organization estimates causes over a million premature deaths every year. The risk of diabetes rose by about 16 percent for an increase of 10 microgrammes per cubic metre in long-term PM2.5 particle exposure, researchers from Fuwai Hospital in Beijing and Emory University in the US found in a study published online by Environment International last week. "Sustained improvement of air quality will help decrease the diabetes epidemic in China," Lu Xiangfeng, one of the study's authors, told .
Novel method could improve LASIK eye surgery
Scientists have developed a new microscopy technique that could one day be used to improve laser vision correction, LASIK, and eliminate the "surgery" aspect of the procedure. When performed on both eyes, the entire procedure of LASIK surgery takes about 20 minutes and can rid patients of the need to wear glasses or contact lenses. While LASIK has a very high success rate, virtually every procedure involves an element of guesswork, according to the study published in the journal Physical Review Letters. This is because doctors have no way to precisely measure the refractive properties of the eye. Instead, they rely heavily on approximations that correlate with the patient's vision acuity -- how close to 20/20 he or she can see without the aid of glasses or contacts. Giuliano Scarcelli, an assistant professor with the University of Maryland in the US developed a microscopy technique that could allow doctors to perform LASIK using precise measurements of how the eye focuses light, ...