Page 376 - Health Medical Pharma

Chinese province firms' medical products on display at expo

Around 60 medical appliances companies from the Chinese coastal province of Zhejiang are showcasing their products for the first time at a trade fair which was inaugurated here today. The province's Deputy Division Chief of Department of Commerce Zhuang Jin inaugurated the '2018 Zhejiang Export Fair (India)' as part of an umbrella event 'Medicall', claimed to be one of the largest medical exhibitions in India. Jin, in a statement, said this is the first time that the Zhejiang province was holding an exhibition in such a large extent overseas with the theme of medical appliance. "China has been closely cooperating with India in international trade. It is hoped that entrepreneurs from both countries are able to push the cooperation in medical industry to a higher level by resource complementation, confluction and win-win cooperation," she said. The three-day exhibition would see 56 companies from the Chinese province exhibiting their products in about 100 booths. As the ...

Hepatitis C 83% more prevalent in north India: Report (July 28th is World Hepatitis Day)

Infections of hepatitis C are 83 per cent more prevalent among people living in north India, says a report from SRL Diagnostics.

Decoded: How eating disorder is linked to brain

Anorexia nervosa -- an eating disorder that makes people obsessive about their weight -- could alter the brain circuits and impact its taste-reward processing mechanisms, especially for sugar, a study has found.

Sanofi Pasteur launches 4-strain influenza vaccine in India

Sanofi Pasteur, vaccine division of french pharma major Sanofi, today said it has launched its 4-strain influenza vaccine FluQuadri in India priced at Rs 1,400. FluQuadri will provide broader protection against influenza to population above 3 years of age, Sanofi Pasteur said in a statement. "By making FluQuadri available to the Indian population, Sanofi Pasteur aims to provide broader protection for people 3 years of age and older against this severe disease and its potentially life-threatening complications,"Sanofi Pasteur South Asia Country Head Jean-Pierre Baylet said. The vaccine is available in 26 countries, the company said.

Karunanidhi's health better: Stalin

Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) working president MK Stalin on Friday informed that party president Kalaignar M Karunanidhi's health has improved and he is recovering steadily.Addressing the media here, Stalin said, "he (Karunanidhi) is recovering steadily as his fever is coming down."Karunanidhi is currently undergoing treatment for fever due to Urinary Tract Infection (UTI).He is being monitored and treated round the clock by a team of medical and nursing professionals, who are providing hospital-level care at his home.On July 18, Karunanidhi was admitted to Kauvery Hospital in the city for a tracheotomy procedure.Prime Minister Narendra Modi also enquired about the health of the DMK chief and prayed for his quick recovery earlier today.

Immunity protein at birth reduces childhood malaria risk: Study

Babies born with high levels of an immune-related protein in their blood cells are less likely to develop malaria throughout their early childhood, a study has found. The research, published in the journal Scientific Reports, screened a number of immunity proteins, known as cytokines, at birth and investigated whether these small proteins provided protection against malaria for newborn babies. Childhood malaria remains one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality resulting in 500,000 deaths annually, and with more than 90 per cent of malaria infections occurring in sub-Saharan Africa. "We found that newborn babies born with a high level of a certain type of cytokine, known as IL-12, in their umbilical cord blood had a higher resistance to the development of malaria in the first two years of their life," said Yong Song from Curtin University in Australia. "Our research also investigated how newborn babies develop high levels of IL-12 in the cord blood. "We found that the inbred

Less than 10% viral hepatitis-infected people get treatment: WHO

Less than 10 per cent of those infected with viral hepatitis, inflammation of liver, are aware of their disease, which can lead to life-threatening conditions, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Friday.

Stalin thanks leaders for enquiring about Karunanidhi's health

There has been an improvement in the condition of DMK President M. Karunanidhi, who is under treatment for urinary tract infection, his son and DMK Working President M.K. Stalin said on Friday.

Find the missing millions: India against chronic viral hepatitis

Viral hepatitis is a leading cause of death worldwide (1.46 million deaths, a toll higher than that from HIV, tuberculosis or malaria, and on the increase since 1990).More than 90 percent of this burden is due to the sequelae of liver infections with the hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV). The liver is a vital organ that processes nutrients, filters the blood, and fights infections. When the liver is inflamed or damaged, its function can be affected. Heavy alcohol use, toxins, some medications, and certain medical conditions can cause hepatitis. However, hepatitis is most often caused by a virus.Worldwide, mortality attributed to viral hepatitis has increased by 22 percent since 2000 despite decline in deaths caused by other infectious diseases, including HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria. World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that in 2015, viral hepatitis was responsible for 1.34 million deaths per year2. In 2016, in light of the public health burden of viral ...

Urgent action needed to find, treat millions suffering from viral hepatitis: WHO

Millions of people in WHO's South-East Asia Region, which includes India, are infected with viral hepatitis without knowing and do not receive treatment, the global health body said today, and asserted that urgent action is needed to find, test and treat them. On the eve of World Hepatitis Day, WHO Regional Director for South-East Asia Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh said it is estimated that less than one in 10 people infected with hepatitis, both worldwide and in the region, know whether they are affected by the condition, while less than 10 per cent of those who do know receive appropriate treatment. "This lack of awareness and treatment lead to progressive liver damage and can cause life-threatening conditions such as fibrosis and liver cancer, resulting in an estimated 4,10,000 deaths in the region every year. "It also allows viral hepatitis to spread. Region-wide, an estimated 40 million people live with chronic hepatitis B while an estimated 10 million live with chronic hepatitis C,"

Elevated bile acid levels may help treat cocaine abuse

Bile acids that aid in fat digestion may reduce the rewarding properties of cocaine use, suggesting potential new strategies for treatment of drug abuse, a study has found.

High immunity protein at birth cuts childhood malaria risk: Study

Newborn babies who are born with a high level of an immune-related protein in their blood cells are less likely to develop malaria throughout their early childhood, a study revealed.

Fluid drainage system in brain linked to Alzheimer: Study

Scientists have identified a fluid drainage system in the brain that sheds light on the underlying mechanisms of brain ageing and age-related Alzheimer's disease.

Mind-body therapies can help teens with anxiety: Study

Mind-body therapies, such as mindfulness and yoga, may help treat the common problem of anxiety in adolescents, researchers have found. Mindfulness techniques incorporate aspects of meditation, body scanning, and mindful breathing to help focus attention on the present moment and separate from negative thoughts, said researchers from Columbia University in the US. In a review published in the journal The Nurse Practitioner, six studies showed positive effects of mindfulness approaches for teens with anxiety, including school-based programmes in high-risk populations. Yoga is one of the most popular mind-body therapies, with positive physical and mental effects including reduced anxiety, according to the researchers. Five studies, including four randomised trials, found positive effects of yoga in school settings, they said. "A growing body of evidence supports the implementation of mind-body therapy as a low-risk and cost-effective strategy in the management of anxious teenagers," ...

Lifestyle changes one needs to make to avoid diabetes

Diabetes is a chronic disease which has become very common nowadays. While lack of insulin and genetic history are among the factors, certain lifestyle habits such as poor diet, lack of exercise and high stress also contribute to an increase in blood sugar levels. Taking a few steps towards a healthy life can make a huge difference.

Mamata expresses concern over Karunanidhi's health

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today expressed her concern over the health condition of DMK chief M Karunanidhi, who is being treated for fever due to an urinary tract infection. Banerjee prayed for a quick recovery of the 94-year-old veteran politician of Tamil Nadu. "Concerned about the health of @kalaignar89 Hope and pray that Karunanidhi Ji recovers soon @mkstalin," Banerjee wrote on her Twitter handle. Karunanidhi has been not keeping well since October 2016, and some days ago he had undergone a procedure to change his tracheostomy tube, provided to help in breathing. Karunanidhi's son and working president of DMK Stalin had on Wednesday said his father was suffering from fever and doctors were providing medication and assured the people that there was nothing to worry about the nonagenarian leader's health.

Pvt hospitals run by trusts asked to add 'charitable' to names

All private hospitals in Maharashtra run by public charity trusts have been asked to add "charitable" to their names so that poor patients easily know they can avail free or concessional treatment under the reserved quota. There are 430 charitable hospitals in Maharashtra, including 74 are in Mumbai. State Charity Commissioner Shivkumar Dige issued a directive to this effect to all such hospitals last week. "It is difficult for patients to know if the hospital is charitable or not in the absence of the word. Therefore, mentioning the word "charitable" is mandatory so that poor patients can avail free or concessional treatment they rightfully deserve," the directive issued on July 19 says. It is applicable to all the government-aided private hospitals. The commissioner's office also asked all these hospitals to inform it about the compliance of the order. Over the past few years, the charity commissioner's office had received complaints about the charitable hospitals' ...

Kovind, Modi enquire about Karunanidhi's health

President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday spoke to DMK leaders to enquire about the health of party President M. Karunanidhi and offered necessary assistance.

USFDA inspects Dahej facility, no observations issued: Ajanta Pharma

Drug firm Ajanta Pharma today said the US health regulator has not made any observations after completion of inspection of its Dahej facility in Gujarat. "Our formulation facility at Dahej was inspected by US FDA from July 23-27, 2018. At the end of the inspection, no Form 483 was issued to us," Ajanta Pharma said in a BSE filing. US Food & Drug Administration (USFDA) issues Form 483 to a company's management after completion of inspection of its facility to notify regarding objectionable conditions. Shares of Ajanta Pharma were trading 4.26 per cent up at Rs 1,082.55 apiece on the BSE today.

Modi enquires about Karunanidhi's health, offers assistance

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday spoke to DMK leaders M.K. Stalin and M.K. Kanimozhi to enquire about the health of party President M. Karunanidhi and offered necessary assistance.