Page 651 - Health Medical Pharma
4 healthy habits to cultivate in the New Year
As we get ready to welcome 2018, most of us also commit to being better versions of ourselves. Leading a healthier lifestyle usually tops the list, but it is also one of the toughest things to achieve.
Short-term air pollution exposures up death risk in elderly
Older women exposed to low levels of air pollution, even for a short period, are likely to be at higher risk of premature death, according to a new study.
IMA Goa unit sets up medical grievance cell
The Goa unit of the Indian Medical Association has set up a medical grievance cell for people to lodge their complaints against doctors. The decision to set up the grievance cell was taken in view of a number of attacks on doctors by patients or their aggrieved family members in the state this year, an official said today. The cell is headed by a retired judge, who will probe the complaints against doctors in the state, IMA Goa unit president Medha Salkar said. "The public can have full faith that all their complaints will be heard patiently and appropriate steps will be taken, as per the recommendations of the medical grievance cell," Salkar said. She said there are instances where a patient or his/her relatives feel that the level of care provided is not appropriate and they sometimes resort to unruly behaviour. Thus, there is an urgent need to have a proper mechanism for the patients to put forth their complaints, Salkar added.
Veerhealth Care acquires industrial plot to set up new unit
At Vapi, Gujarat
'Childhood lead exposure not linked to adult criminal behaviour'
Dispelling previous findings, a new study has said that children exposed to lead at a young age are less likely to be involved in criminal practices later in adulthood.
Tea exports see marginal rise in first 10 months of 2017
Exports of tea during the first 10 months of 2017 showed a marginal rise of 6.7 per cent over the corresponding period a year ago, according to data released by the Tea Board. During January to October, total exports of Indian tea touched 189.68 million kg as against 178 million kg during the same period in 2016. Exports in value terms also rose to Rs 3,724.34 crore compared to Rs 3,553.19 crore, the data showed. However, unit price per kg fell to Rs 196.35 in 2017 from Rs 199.62 in 2016. In terms of country-wise exports, the Russian Federation as a member of the CIS nations was the largest importer of Indian tea at 37.46 million kg, followed by Kazakhstan and Ukraine. The other major importers were Iran at 20.98 million kg, UAE at 14.08 million kg, the USA at 11.30 million kg and the UK at 11.20 million kg, the Tea Board said. Pakistan was also a major importer of Indian tea. During the reporting period, the country imported an amount of 10.39 million kg as against 9.97 .
Nanowire device can detect cancer with urine test
Scientists have developed a nanowire device that can detect microscopic levels of cancer markers in the urine, an advance that could help non-invasively diagnose the deadly disease. Cells communicate with each other through a number of different mechanisms. A less familiar mode of cellular transport is the extracellular vesicle (EV), which can be thought of as small "chunks" of a cell that are able to pinch off and circulate throughout the body to deliver messenger cargo to other cells. These messengers have become increasingly recognised as crucial mediators of cell-to-cell communication. Researchers have developed a novel medical device that can efficiently capture these EVs, and potentially use them to screen for cancer. "EVs are potentially useful as clinical markers. The composition of the molecules contained in an EV may provide a diagnostic signature for certain diseases," said Takao Yasui, from Nagoya University in Japan. "The ongoing challenge for physicians in ..
Protein linked to postpartum depression identified
Researchers have found that a protein regulating a system in the brain that mediates physiological response to stress may be responsible for depression that some women experience during and after pregnancy.
Woman doctor found dead in her flat
A 45-year-old woman doctor was found dead in her flat in the western suburb of Amboli, police said today. A case of accidental death has been registered in this connection, police said. Dr Poonam Satpute, a gynaecologist, was found dead in the second floor flat at Karamveer Apartment in RTO Lane in Amboli area last night, senior inspector of Amboli police station, Bhaskar Gaikwad, said. "Dr Satpute stayed alone in the flat and the incident came to light last night when her neighbours complained of foul smell emanating from her residence and then informed the police," he said. Police rushed to the spot and broke open the door, where they found the doctor's body, which had started decomposing, Gaikwad added. According to the officer, Dr Satpute was a diabetic. The body was taken to a state-run hospital, where the post-mortem was conducted, he said. "A case of accidental death has been registered after the post-mortem confirmed that it was a natural death," he said. Police .
Nutritionists slam water diet as 'most dangerous'
A new diet which bans everything but water, tea and coffee and has caught the fancy of young adults, has been condemned by nutritionists as the most dangerous weight loss regime ever, the media reported.
Indian American counselling psychologist brings innovative mind-body approach to PTSD battle (Wellness Feature)
Desert Hot Springs (California), Dec 27 As America battles a variety of ailments related to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), Indian American counseling psychologist Ramesh Gune is emerging as a key influencer in the campaign.
Aurobindo gets USFDA nod for Fondaparinux Sodium injection
Aurobindo Pharma today said it has received final approval from the US health regulator to manufacture and market its generic version of Fondaparinux Sodium injection used to prevent deep vein thrombosis. The approval by US Food & Drug Administration (USFDA) is for multiple strengths of Fondaparinux Sodium injection of 2.5 mg/0.5 mL, 5 mg/0.4 mL, 7.5 mg/0.6 mL, and 10 mg/0.8 mL single-dose prefilled syringes, the company said in a statement. "The product will be launched in January 2018," it added. The approved ANDA is a bioequivalent and therapeutically equivalent to the reference listed drug product Arixtra Injection of Mylan Ireland, it said. Citing IMS data, the company said the injection has an estimated market size of USD 73 million for the 12 months ended October 2017. "This is the 52nd ANDA (including 2 tentative approvals) to be approved out of Unit IV formulation facility in Hyderabad, India used for manufacturing general injectable and ophthalmic ...
Sun Pharma announces USFDA acceptance of NDA for OTX-101
OTX-101 is being evaluated for treatment of dry eye disease
Pain-free skin patch to automate diabetes management
There is good news for diabetics as researchers have developed a pain-free skin patch containing dissolvable compounds that responds to blood chemistry to manage glucose automatically.
Glenmark gets USFDA nod for contraceptive drug
Glenmark Pharmaceuticals has received final approval from the US health regulator for a generic version of Minastrin 24 tablets used for prevention of pregnancy. "Glenmark Pharmaceuticals USA has been granted final approval by the US Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) for Norethindrone Acetate and Ethinyl Estradiol tablets USP and Ferrous Fumarate tablets, 1 mg/20 mcg, the generic version of Minastrin 24 Fe tablets," the company said in a BSE filing. The approved product is a generic version of Allergan Pharmaceuticals International Ltd's Minastrin 24 Fe tablets. For the 12 months to October 2017, the Minastrin 24 Fe tablets market achieved annual sales of approximately USD 337 million, Glenmark said, citing IQVIA sales data. The company's current portfolio consists of 130 products authorised for distribution in the US marketplace and 58 Abbreviated New Drug Applications (ANDA) pending approval with the USFDA. Glenmark Pharmaceuticals shares were trading at Rs 585, up .
Childhood lead exposure not linked to criminal behaviour in adulthood
A study has recently found that children who are exposed to lead at a young age are less likely to involve in criminal practices later in life.According to researchers, there is no clear association between higher childhood blood lead levels and a greater risk for criminal behaviour.Some researchers have suggested that lead may be linked to criminal behaviour but that association could be explained by low socioeconomic status.Study author Amber L. Beckley from Duke University explained childhood lead exposure was weakly associated with conviction and self-reported criminal offending up to age 38.The team analysed 553 individuals from New Zealand born between 1972-1973 and were followed up to age 38 from all socioeconomic groups.They measured blood lead levels at age 11 and cumulative criminal conviction, self-reported criminal offending, recidivism and violence up to age 38.The research appears in journal of JAMA Pediatrics.
Govt's medicare drive pinches pharma, pvt hospitals in 2017
Indian pharmaceutical and healthcare sectors will step into the new year with lingering bitter after-effects of proactive measures of the government, which pulled out all the stops in 2017 for affordable medicare in the country. While the government's directive to doctors to prescribe only generic names unsettled pharma companies, the NPPA's (National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority) move to cap prices of medical devices such as stents and knee implants created discomfort for the manufacturers. Fortis Hospital in Gurgaon and Max Hospital at Shalimar Bagh in the capital were in the news -- for wrong reasons -- on alleged overpricing and medical negligence, respectively. To be sure, the two incidents brought practices of private hospitals under sharper scrutiny. The industry, however, hoped that these are only "aberrations". Summing up 2017, Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance (IPA) Secretary General D G Shah told PTI that the industry was never up against so many challenges .
Nifty hits record high
The Sensex extended gains in morning trade while the Nifty regained positive zone in morning trade. At 10:25 IST, the barometer index, the S&P BSE Sensex, was up 72.72 points or 0.21% at 34,083.33. The Nifty 50 index was up 4.30 points or 0.04% at 10,535.80. The Nifty hit record high in morning trade. Pharma stocks gained. Shares of telecom and telecom tower infrastructure providers declined.
Calcium, vitamin D supplements may not lower fracture risk in elderly
Myth busted! A study has recently found that taking calcium, vitamin D supplements or both may not protect against hip fracture and other bone breaks in the elderly.Practice guidelines recommend calcium and vitamin D supplements for older people to prevent fractures in those with osteoporosis.The team analysed 33 randomised clinical trials in 51,145 adults over the age of 50, who lived in nursing homes and residential care facilities.The participants were compared with those taking calcium, vitamin D or both supplements to placebo or no treatment.Authors Jia-Guo Zhao from Tianjin Hospital, Tianjin, China explained that these supplements were not linked to less risk for new fractures.The researchers recommended that that they do not support the daily use of calcium, vitamin D supplements.The research appears in journal JAMA.