Page 178 - Health Medical Pharma
Healthcare Fintech Platform 'AffordPlan' Registers Annual Growth of 300 Percent in Maternity Patient Base
/ -- Partners with 800 healthcare merchants across India Expands its presence in five cities including Delhi, Bangalore, Mumbai, Pune and Ahmedabad AffordPlan, a first-of-its-kind financial technology platform that enables healthcare savings for individuals, registers an annual growth of 300 percent in maternity patient care . Set up in 2016, AffordPlan has expanded its presence in five key cities including Delhi, Bangalore, Mumbai, Pune and Ahmedabad. Of the total cost incurred during a treatment in private hospitals, 90 percent cost is out-of-pocket expenses which includes ultrasound scans, X-rays, medicines, etc. The fintech platform has received an overwhelming response from the hospitals and patients because of the unique nature of the product and services as it brings down the overall cost (including out-of-pocket expenses) of treatments by as much as 15-20 percent. AffordPlan has partnered with 800 hospitals and healthcare ancillaries like pharmacies, path labs, etc. across ...
Now, combination blood test for pancreatic cancer may catch disease earlier
Detecting pancreatic cancer may have gotten a little bit easier. A new approach to pancreatic cancer screening may help doctors detect the disease in people who are at high risk before it reaches more advanced stages and becomes difficult to treat.A teal led by Van Andel Research Institute (VARI) scientists has developed a new, simple blood test that, when combined with an existing test, detects nearly 70 per cent of pancreatic cancers with a less than 5 per cent false positive rate.The results of the blinded study were published in Clinical Cancer Research, a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research.Pancreatic cancer is difficult to diagnose because it often does not have any obvious early symptoms. By the time the disease is found, it has advanced, complicating treatments and leading to poorer outcomes.Only 8.5 percent of people with pancreatic cancer survive past five years, a figure that has risen just slightly since the early 1990s.Speaking about the new approach, .
Coursera forays into healthcare education
Aiming to address the acute shortage of skilled workers in the health industry, US-based online education company Coursera has partnered with 15 top ranked universities to launch 100 new health courses.
Genetic variants behind development of schizophrenia
A new study, led by researchers at the UCL Genetics Institute finds that genetic variants which prevent a neurotransmitter receptor from working properly have been implicated in the development of schizophrenia.According to the study, the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) is a protein which normally carries signals between brain cells in response to a neurotransmitter called glutamate.Earlier research has shown that symptoms of schizophrenia can be caused by drugs which block NMDAR or by antibodies which attack it. Furthermore, genetic studies have also suggested that molecules associated with NMDAR might be involved in the development of schizophrenia.Speaking about it, Professor David Curtis (UCL Genetics, Evolution & Environment), the psychiatrist who carries out the research, said, "These results, and others which are emerging, really focus attention on abnormalities in NMDAR functioning as a risk factor for schizophrenia. Given all the pre-existing evidence it seems ...
New stem cell technique may help fight cancer: Study
Scientists have developed a new technique to turn pluripotent stem cells -- which can give rise to every cell type in the body -- into mature T cells capable of killing tumours. The technique developed by researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) in the US uses structures called artificial thymic organoids, which work by mimicking the environment of the thymus, the organ in which T cells develop from blood stem cells. T cells are cells of the immune system that fight infections, but also have the potential to eliminate cancer cells. The ability to create them from self-renewing pluripotent stem cells using the new technique could lead to new approaches to cancer immunotherapy, according to the study published in the journal Cell 'Stem Cell'. The advance could spur further research on T cell therapies for viral infections such as HIV, and autoimmune diseases, the researchers said. Among the technique's most promising aspects is that it can be combined with gene ..
Enhanced bone growth could lead to new treatments for osteoporosis
A new study led by UCLA and UC San Francisco life scientists has discovered a dramatic pattern of bone growth in female mice. The research could potentially lead to stronger bone density in women and new treatments for osteoporosis in older women.In the study, researchers found blocking a particular set of signals from a small number of neurons in the brain causes female - not male mice- to build super strong bones and maintain them into old age. The neurons may play an important role in controlling women's bone density, the researchers said.The study was published in the journal Nature Communications.Speaking about the study, co-author Stephanie Correa, a UCLA assistant professor of integrative biology and physiology, and member of UCLA's Brain Research Institute said, "We think we have identified a new pathway by which the brain regulates bone density that holds great promise because it allows the body to shift new bone formation into overdrive."The study finds more than 200 million
Scientists discover molecules that are wired for obesity
Researchers from the University of Cambridge and Children's Hospital Los Angeles along with scientists from across the globe have pinpointed a set of molecules that wire the body weight centre of the brain.In a study published in the journal Cell, Sadaf Farooqi, PhD, FRCP, FMedSci, of the University of Cambridge and CHLA's Sebastien Bouret, PhD led research teams to uncover key genes that guide the process of brain development."We know that the brain, in particular an area called the hypothalamus, has a very important role in the regulation of food intake and blood sugar," explains Bouret, who is also an associate professor of pediatrics at the Keck School of Medicine of USC.Researchers have focused on the hypothalamus for years in an effort to study the epidemic of obesity, which affects nearly 14 million children and adolescents in the United States. "What we don't yet understand," he says, "is how these circuits in the hypothalamus are being organised. We want to know how the brain
Genes may help predict how long a person will live: Study
Analysing the DNA may help predict whether a person will live longer or die sooner than average, according to a study. Researchers at the University of Edinburgh in the UK analysed the combined effect of genetic variations that influence lifespan to produce a scoring system. People who score in the top 10 per cent of the population might expect to live up to five years longer than those who score in the lowest 10 per cent, they said. The findings, published in the journal eLife, also revealed fresh insights into diseases and the biological mechanisms involved in ageing. "If we take 100 people at birth, or later, and use our lifespan score to divide them into ten groups, the top group will live five years longer than the bottom on average," said Peter Joshi from the University of Edinburgh's Usher Institute. The researchers looked at genetic data from more than half a million people alongside records of their parents' lifespan. Some 12 areas of the human genome were pinpointed as ...
Immunomedics' cancer treatment fails to win accelerated approval from the FDA
(Reuters) - Immunomedics Inc said on Thursday the U.S. Food and Drug Administration declined to grant accelerated approval for its breast cancer treatment, sacituzumab.
Pharmerit Expands Market Access Support in Asia
/ -- Pharmerit International (Pharmerit), a leading health economics and outcomes research (HEOR) consultancy, is expanding its Asian presence. The expansion includes the growth of the Shanghai, China, office as well as establishment of an office in Mumbai, India. The Asia-Pacific region is a rapidly growing pharmaceutical and medical device market and an emerging leader in healthcare innovation. Pharmerit's expanded local presence will provide both regional and global sponsors with one-stop market access solutions from a team of in-country experts and affiliates. "Our expanded presence strengthens our ability to meet the rapidly evolving global evidence and market access requirements," said Marc Botteman, Managing Partner at Pharmerit. "Over the past few years, we have been active in conducting and publishing research relevant to regional decision-makers in countries such as India, China, Taiwan, Japan, Korea, Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, and The Philippines. With the addition of
Free health services under BSKY to be extended to all medical
The Odisha government Thursday announced extension of free health services under the state's flagship health scheme the Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana (BSKY) to all state run medical college and hospitals. The announcement was made by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik. As per the new decision, the provision of universal free health services will be extended up to all government medical college and hospitals from February 1. All patients, irrespective of APL or BPL category, will avail this facility. Besides, all patients will also avail Blood Bank facility free of cost, he said. Previously, the free treatment facilities for all were available from Sub-Centres at village level up to the District Headquarters Hospital level, but not in medical colleges. Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana was launched on August 15, 2018 and in the next five months since, the scheme has received an overwhelming response, with over 2.25 crore instances of free healthcare availed by the people of Odisha, he
Health Ministry bans 80 more fixed-dose combination drugs
The Union Health Ministry has banned80 more fixed-dose combination (FDC) drugs which include antibiotics, painkillers, medicines used for treating fungal and bacterial infections, hypertension and anxiety, officials said Thursday. A notification was issued by the government, stating that the ban has come into force since January 11, they said. With this, the total number of banned FDCs now stand at 405. Another 325 drugs were banned in September last year. The latter, however, remain available on account of the legal challenge mounted by affected pharma firms, the officials said. A fixed-dose combination contains two or more drugs combined in a fixed ratio of doses, available as a single dose. "Eighty new FDCs have been banned under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 (23 of 1940), which prohibits the manufacture, sale and distribution of these drugs," a senior Health Ministry official said. According to the notification, some of the drugs that have been banned include antibiotics like .
Free healthcare services extended to government medical colleges in Odisha
Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Thursday announced extension of free healthcare services under Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana to all government medical colleges and hospitals.
7 die of suspected swine flu in Punjab
Seven people died of suspected swine flu in Punjab this month, Health Minister Brahm Mohindra said Thursday. He said so far 140 suspected people were tested for H1N1 virus and out of these 60 cases have been found to be positive. "Seven patients with complications and other illnesses have died," Mohindra said. He said teams of the Health Department visited the patients and 435 close contacts of these cases were also treated free of cost. In view of an "acute upsurge" in cases of Influenza A H1N1, Mohindra reviewed the preparedness of the state and the action being taken in a high-level meeting with senior officers of the Health Department, an official statement said. Guidelines for management of Influenza A H1N1 have already been circulated to all districts of the state, the minister said. He said separate isolation wards for management of Influenza A H1N1 cases have been established at three government medical colleges (GMCs), 22 district hospitals and 41 sub-divisional hospitals of .
Now, smart garments to prevent falls in Parkinson's patients
A team of researchers are in the process of developing smart garment technologies that would prevent falls in people with Parkinson's disease.
Sesdarma to set up Dr Serrano clinics in India
Spanish brand in beauty and derma care Sesderma Thursday said it will set up Dr Serrano clinics in India. The company, which is present in the country through a wholly-owned subsidiary has been operational in the country since 2014, will open the first clinic in the Capital offering cosmetic procedures based on nanotechnology. "Through the launch of Dr Serrano Clinics across the length and breadth of Indian landscape, we aim to deliver the best aesthetic solutions to the people," Sesdarma Laboratories Founder and MD Gabriel Serrano Sanmiguel told reporters here. The company, which sells around 140 products in the country, plans to set up a manufacturing facility in Haridwar (Uttarakhand) later this year. Currently, it brings in products from Spain-based plant.
Smelling high-calorie food for 2 minutes can help you eat less
Does a whiff of pizzas, burgers or sandwiches entice you, but you refrain from eating them due to the high-calories it contains? Take heart, smelling these for longer than two minutes will make you feel satiated, suggest researchers, including one of an Indian-origin.
Mindfulness may ease menopausal symptoms
A Mayo Clinic Study recently published in ClimactericResearchers discovered that being mindful may be especially helpful for menopausal women struggling with irritability, anxiety and depression.The general internist and women's health specialist further added, "These findings suggest that mindfulness may be a promising tool to help women reduce menopausal symptoms and overall stress."Notably, mindfulness involves focusing attention on the present moment, and observing thoughts and sensations without judgment.Prior research has shown practicing mindfulness can reduce stress and improve quality of life.According to the study, everyday, an estimated 6,000 women in the US reach menopause. The study adds that by 2020, the number of women aged 55 and older is expected to top 46 million.The study involved 1,744 women ages 40 to 65 who received care at Mayo Clinic's Women's Health Clinic in Rochester between Jan. 1, 2015, and Dec. 31, 2016.Participants completed questionnaires that rated ...
Undiagnosed thyroid problem can increase infertility risk: Experts
Over 20 per cent women in India live with an undiagnosed thyroid problem and do not even realise that it is the cause of various health issues including infertility, health experts have said.
Dr. Monica Jacob's hassle free and painless wellness remedy
With the number of people willing to go under the knife in the name of beauty on the decline, there's never been a better time to explore alternative procedures that don't require a needle. Surprisingly the recent times has gravitated a lot of aesthetic enthusiasts with respect to transforming corrective surgeries.It's evident that body enhancement, once reserved for the rich and famous, is now more mainstream, safer and accessible. There was a time people would be "outed" for getting similar procedures.Now many have embraced the procedures, often posting pictures of their recoveries on social media.The market for needless transformation has grown substantially across continents the last decade. Certain studies suggest that it takes the human brain about 9 seconds to recognise a face and draw a conclusion whether it likes the face it has casted its eyes upon or rather find it respectable etc.The premises to this conclusion ascertained by the sense are drawn from the collective ...