Page 36 - Health Medical Pharma
USFDA issues 4 observations after inspection of Indoco's facility in Goa
Drug firm Indoco Remedies Wednesday said the US health regulator has issued four observations after inspection of its manufacturing facility in Goa. "The US Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) conducted audit at Indoco's sterile manufacturing facility in Verna, Goa (Plant II) from May 27 to June 4, 2019, issuing 4 observations (483s)," the company said in a filing to BSE. These observations are procedural in nature, not pertaining to data integrity, it added. The company did not disclose the details of the observations made by the regulator but said it will submit its response shortly. "The recent USFDA inspection was a scheduled Prior Approval Inspection for injectable products, filed from this facility. We are hopeful for an early and successful closure of this audit, which will expedite approvals of the pending abbreviated new drug applications (ANDAs)," MD Aditi Kare Panandikar said.
Unsalted tomato juice cuts heart disease risk
Researchers have found that drinking unsalted tomato juice can lower blood pressure and cholesterol level in adults who are at risk of cardiovascular disease, according to a study.
Vitamin D may help cancer patients live longer
Vitamin D supplements, if taken for at least three years, could add years to the lives of cancer patients, a study has found. The researchers from Michigan State University in the US suggest that the vitamin carries significant benefits other than just contributing to healthy bones. "Vitamin D had a significant effect on lowering the risk of death among those with cancer, but unfortunately it didn't show any proof that it could protect against getting cancer," said Tarek Haykal, from Michigan State University. The researchers looked at data related to disease prevention from more than 79,000 patients in multiple studies that randomly compared the use of vitamin D to a placebo over at least a three-year period. Researchers zeroed in on any information that involved cancer incidence and mortality. "The difference in the mortality rate between the vitamin D and placebo groups was statistically significant enough that it showed just how important it might be among the cancer population," .
Good sleep cuts appetite for sweet, salty food
A good night's sleep helps in reducing the desire for sweet and salty foods, intake of sugar and caloric content, says a study.
Drug-resistant tuberculosis reversed in lab
Scientists have found a compound that prevents and even reverses resistance to a widely used antibiotic for treating tuberculosis -- the most lethal infectious disease worldwide. A growing rise in drug-resistant tuberculosis (TB) is a major obstacle to successfully treating the illness. About 1.5 million people died of TB in 2017, making it the most deadly infectious disease in the world. Researchers at Washington University in the US and Umea University in Sweden reversed resistance to isoniazid, the most widely used antibiotic for treating TB. The research, published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, was conducted in bacteria growing in the lab, setting the stage for future studies in animals and people. Using the compound in conjunction with isoniazid potentially could restore the antibiotic's effectiveness in people with drug-resistant tuberculosis. The compound also may bolster the antibiotic's power to kill TB bacteria -- even those sensitive to ...
Increased sleeping hours associated with lower cardiometabolic risk
While six hours of sleep is considered adequate for adults, a new study revealed that increasing the sleep duration can aid in the reduction of cardiometabolic risk or the risk of heart disease and metabolic disorders.The study published in the Journal of Sleep Research included seven studies that aimed to increase sleep duration in adults by any sleep extension intervention.The study incorporated a total of 138 participants who were either healthy, healthy but getting a short-sleep, overweight and getting a short-sleep, or pre or hypertensive short-sleeping individuals.The duration of the sleep extension interventions ranged from three days to six weeks and all successfully increased total sleep time by between 21 and 177 minutes.The findings from the study indicated that an extension in sleep was associated with improved measures of insulin sensitivity and reductions in overall appetite, desire for sweet and salty foods, intake of daily free sugar, and percentage of daily caloric ...
Unsalted tomato juice may help cut heart disease risk
Drinking unsalted tomato juice may lower blood pressure and cholesterol, benefitting those at risk of cardiovascular disease, a study has found. For the research, published in Food Science & Nutrition, 184 male and 297 female participants were provided with as much unsalted tomato juice as they wanted throughout one year. At the end of the study, blood pressure in 94 participants with untreated prehypertension or hypertension dropped significantly, according to the researchers from Tokyo Medical and Dental University in Japan. The systolic blood pressure lowered from an average of 141.2 to 137.0 mmHg, and diastolic blood pressure lowered from an average of 83.3 to 80.9 mmHg, researchers said. LDL cholesterol levels in 125 participants with high cholesterol decreased from an average of 155.0 to 149.9 mg/dL. These beneficial effects were similar among men and women and among different age groups. "To the best of our knowledge, the current study is the first to investigate the ...
IMA seeks setting up counselling centres in all medical colleges, teaching institutes
The Indian Medical Association (IMA) has sought setting up of counselling centres and a 24x7 helpline in all medical colleges and teaching institutions to help students deal with mental health issues. The move comes days after Doctor Payal Tadvi, 26, allegedly committed suicide after facing harassment by her seniors at a state-run hospital in Mumbai. The IMA has launched an initiative named Doctors 4 Doctors (D4D) aimed at preventing burn out, address mental health challenges, reduce the incidents of suicide among residents and clinicians. "We will achieve this by creating awareness of the issue and using tools for emotional well-being. We will provide training for self-help and offer D-4-D Free Help Lines to those in need," IMA national president Santanu Sen said. As an umbrella organisation and the largest association of doctors, the IMA believes that doctors must care for all doctors, especially given the global picture of higher risk of depression and suicide among medical ...
Smartphone relaxation app may help manage migraine
Migraine sufferers who used a smartphone-based relaxation technique at least twice a week experienced fewer headache days per month, a study has found. The RELAXaHEAD app, developed by researchers from the New York University in the US, guides patients through progressive muscle relaxation, or PMR. In this form of behavioral therapy, patients alternately relax and tense different muscle groups to reduce stress. The research, published in the journal Nature Digital Medicine, is the first to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of an app for treating migraine, and adding an app to standard therapies (such as oral medications) under the supervision of a doctor. "Our study offers evidence that patients may pursue behavioral therapy if it is easily accessible, they can do it on their own time, and it is affordable," said Mia Minen, from NYU. "Clinicians need to rethink their treatment approach to migraine because many of the accepted therapies, although proven to be the current, best course
Kerala govt confirms Nipah virus, 311 under observation
A year after two north Kerala districts were hit by Nipah claiming 17 lives, the disease resurfaced in the state with a 23-year-old student here confirmed to be infected with the potentially deadly virus. The government said 311 people from various districts with whom the student had interacted were under observation. The student, who is being treated at a private hospital here, is slowly improving and his fever subsiding, according to a medical bulletin. The results of blood samples of the student, which were tested at the National Institute of Virology in Pune, have confirmed Nipah, state Health minister K K Shailaja said here. The result came this morning, she added. Earlier, blood samples examined at two virology institutes--Manipal Institute of Virology and Kerala Institute of Virology and Infectious Diseases--had indicated Nipah. The government said four people--three who attended to the student initially and one person who studied with him--were suffering from fever
World Bank to provide USD 287 mn loan for health care improvement in Tamil Nadu
The World Bank will provide USD 287 million to to improve health care in Tamil Nadu, the finance ministry said in a statement Tuesday. The central government, the state government and the World Bank signed a loan agreement for the Tamil Nadu Health System Reform Program here. "The Program aims to improve the quality of health care, reduce the burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), and fill equity gaps in reproductive and child health services in the state of Tamil Nadu," the release said. Tamil Nadu ranks third among all Indian states in the NITI Aayog Health Index, which is reflected in vastly improved health outcomes. The state's maternal mortality rate has declined from 90 deaths per one lakh live births in 2005 to 62 deaths in 2015-16, while infant mortality has declined from 30 deaths per 1000 live births to 20 in the same period. Despite these impressive gains, certain challenges in health care remain, including quality of care and variations in reproductive and child ...
Under construction hospital at Bemina will be children's hospice: J-K govt
Jammu and Kashmir government Tuesday issued orders for converting 500-bed maternity-cum-children's hospital coming up at Bemina here into an exclusive pediatric hospital. The State health department issued orders for converting the maternity-cum-children's hospital into a pediatric hospitalhere following the decision taken by State Administrative Council (SAC) last week. The SAC in its last meeting on 29th May had approved conversion of the under construction health institution -- with 200-bedded maternity hospital and 300-bedded pediatrics hospital at Bemina, Srinagar -- into a full-fledged 500-bedded Children's Hospital, an official spokesman said. He said provision of quality childcare health facilities at Srinagar which witnesses rush from other districts has been a long standing demand of general public in particular those who are not able to afford the same in private centres. He said the GB Pant Cantonment General Hospital does not have adequate capacity and infrastructure to ..
Natco files ANDA for Bosentan 32mg Tablets for the USA market
Bosentan 32mg tablets are sold by Actelion Pharmaceuticals US, Inc. (acquired by Johnson & Johnson), under the brand Tracleer. NATCO believes that its ANDA is possibly the sole first-to-file based on the filing date. The company believes that its ANDA may be eligible for 180 days of marketing exclusivity at the time of potential launch of the product.
Man accuses C'garh hospital of removing mother's kidney
A man has accused a private hospital in Chhattisgarh's Raigarh district of removing his mother's kidney without consent, police said Tuesday. An official said district collector Yashwant Kumar had ordered a probe into the allegations made by Aishwarya Patel against Vananchal Care Hospital. Patel's mother Sumitra (62), a native of Markam Godi village in neighbouring Janjgir-Champa district, was admitted in the hospital, located in Kharsia area here, on May 26 for a surgery to remove stones in her left kidney, he said quoting the complaint. "Patel has named three doctors in his complaint which was filed at Kharsia police station on Monday," the official said. The doctors have refuted the allegations and told reporters that the woman's kidney was removed as it had developed an infection, adding that consent of the relatives was obtained. The Raigarh collector has instituted a five-member probe committee that includes three senior government doctors, an official said. The ..
Natco Pharma files ANDA for Bosentan tablets with USFDA
Drug firm Natco Pharma Tuesday said it has submitted an abbreviated new drug application (ANDA) with the US health regulator for the generic version of Bosentan 32 mg tablets for oral suspension. Bosentan 32 mg tablets are sold by Actelion Pharmaceuticals US, Inc under the brand name Tracleer, Natco Pharma said in a filing to the BSE. The company has filed the ANDA with Para IV certification with the US Food and Drug Administration (USFDA), it added. "Natco believes that its ANDA is possibly the sole first-to-file based on the filing date. We further believe that our ANDA may be eligible for 180 days of marketing exclusivity at the time of potential launch of the product," the company said. Tracleer is indicated for treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension, it added. Shares of Natco Pharma Tuesday closed at Rs 546.95 per scrip on the BSE, up 2.63 per cent from its previous close.
Dr Batra's Social Media Series 'Good Health and Homeopathy' Goes International
/ -- Helmed by eminent homeopath and Padma Shri recipient - Dr. Mukesh Batra, 'Good Health and Homeopathy', an innovative and informative social media series aimed to touch 25 million lives in 2019. In the first three months itself, the series succeeded in touching 7 million lives. The brand will launch the series internationally in the MENA region in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Bahrain and Bangladesh. It will also launch a second season of 'Good Health and Homeopathy' especially for Indian audiences, starting 13th June, 2019. The new geographic and new season aims to touch an additional 5.5 million lives. (Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/846836/Dr_Batra_s_Homeopathy_Logo.jpg ) http://www.drbatras.com/pressrelease/Dr_Mukesh_Batra_Founder_Chairman_Emeritus_Dr_Batras_Healthcare.jpg http://www.drbatras.com/pressrelease/Good_Health_and_Homeopathy_Season_2_Schedule.jpg With one-of-its-kind insights, carefully accumulated over 45 years in the field of medicine, the Padma Shri recipient delves
Experts differ on ICMR suggestion on banning e-cigarettes, ENDS devices
A section of experts have said banning Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS), including e-cigarettes, without proper research will reduce the options of viable alternatives for smokers who want to quit tobacco. The reaction comes in the wake of apex research body - Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) recommending a "complete" ban on ENDS, saying their use can initiate nicotine addiction among non-smokers. ENDS are devices that heat a solution to create an aerosol, which also frequently contains flavours, usually dissolved into propylene glycol and glycerin. There are various types of ENDS devices like e-cigarettes, heat-not-burn devices, vape, e-sheesha, e-nicotine flavoured hookah among others. Riccardo Polosa, Director, Institute for Internal Medicine and Clinical Immunology of the University of Catania said the ICMR recommendation only further intensifies the debate on the merits and de-merits of ENDS. "The conclusions drawn by ICMR as well as the Ministry of Health do .
Poultry as bad as red meats for cholesterol: Study
Turning a conventional wisdom on its head, researchers have found that consuming red meat and white meat, like poultry, have equal effects on blood cholesterol levels.
HIV patients at increased risk of heart disease, stroke
Patients with HIV are at a significantly higher risk of suffering from heart and blood vessel diseases as compared to those without the infection, scientists say. According to a new scientific statement published in the journal Circulation, effective antiretroviral therapy has changed HIV from a progressive, fatal disease to a chronic, manageable condition that increases the risk of heart attacks and strokes. Interactions between traditional risk factors, such as diet, lifestyle and tobacco use, and HIV-specific risk factors, such as a chronically activated immune system and inflammation characteristic of chronic HIV contribute to the increased risk of heart and blood vessel diseases in HIV patients. Tobacco use, a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, is common among people living with HIV. Heavy alcohol use, substance abuse, mood and anxiety disorders, low levels of physical activity and poor cardiorespiratory fitness are also common among people living with HIV and may ...
Beta blockers can ease anger and stress in patients with atrial fibrillation
A new study has found respite for individuals prone to emotion-triggered atrial fibrillation (AF). It shows that psychological stress, anger in individuals with AF can be blocked by beta blockers.Beta blockers are a class of medicines that block the effect of beta-adrenergic substances, such as adrenaline (epinephrine), that play a key role in the sympathetic portion of the involuntary nervous system. They temporarily stop or reduce the body's natural "fight-or-flight" responses and reduce stress on certain parts of the body.The study published in the Journal 'Heart Rhythm' defines AF as an irregular, rapid heart rate that may cause symptoms like heart palpitations, fatigue, and shortness of breath. It can be triggered by psychological stress and negative emotions such as anger."In a previous research study, we found that among patients with a history of AF, anger and stress were associated with subsequent episodes of AF," explained lead investigator Rachel Lampert.Lampert added, "We,