Coronavirus medicine: An arthritis drug could be the answer everyone is looking for

The Chinese government approved Swiss drugmaker Roches anti-inflammation drug Actemra to treat severe coronavirus symptoms. This comes at a time when countries around the world desperately search for new ways to combat the deadly infection.

A decade-old drug used to treat inflammation in arthritis patients could be the answer to the worlds fears of the coronavirus.

Actemra, an anti-inflammation drug made by Swiss drugmaker Roche, has been approved by the Chinese government to treat severe coronavirus symptoms. This comes at a time when countries around the world are desperately searching for ways to combat the deadly infection....read more

Medtalks around the globe: COVID-19

5th March, 2020 1.Italy has shut down schools. After effects: It will have ripple effects: rise in child care costs for parents, suppliers would lose out on cafeteria food orders, babysitters and nannies in flux, and loneliness and tech defects for kids in online classes....read more

Red infected persons, Yellow close contacts of infected persons, Green non infected. COVID-19

4th March: CMAAO Update COVID-19 - SARS-CoV-2

India: 29 cases – Delhi, Noida, Gurugram, Agra, Jaipur, Kerala (5 states), 26 active cases, serious none, two clusters (driver + 16 Italians in Jaipur, 1 Delhi + 6 relatives Agra), 3 cured, 1 in Gurugram Paytm employee, 1 in Telangana 17 Indians abroad infected with coronavirus: 16 cases reported from Japan on the cruise ship and one from the UAE....read more

Five Types of People - from Nastik to Astik

Following are the five types of people: 1.Nastik: Those who do not believe in God. 2.Astik: For whom God exists. 3.Those who believe that God also exists in them (I and the God are the same)....read more

How Corona Aware Are You

Health Sutras By Dr K K Aggarwal

Did you know that your computer contains highly toxic chemicals like lead, cadmium, mercury, beryllium, BFR, polyvinyl chloride and phosphor compounds all of which may have health hazards? Hence, it is important to dispose of e-waste safely.

Healthcare News Monitor

Coronavirus update: Pharma company says developing plasma therapy for the deadly virus

Mint

Takeda Pharmaceutical Co said on Wednesday it was developing a drug for high-risk patients infected with the new coronavirus, joining several other drugmakers seeking to develop a treatment for an illness that has killed over 3,000 people. The Japanese firm said it was working on a plasma-derived therapy which had previously been shown to be effective in treatment of severe acute viral respiratory infections. Its research would require antibodies from patients who have recovered from the coronavirus infections or who have been vaccinated, once a vaccine has been developed."By transferring the antibodies to a new patient, it may help that persons immune system respond to the infection and increase their chance of recovery," Takeda said in a statement.

Strides Pharma Science gets USFDA nod for generic anti-bacterial capsules

ET Healthworld- PTI

Strides Pharma Science on Wednesday said it has received approval from the US health regulator for its generic tetracycline hydrochloride capsules used for treatment of many bacterial infections. The approval granted by the United States Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) to the companys wholly-owned subsidiary, Strides Pharma Global, Singapore, is for multiple strengths of tetracycline hydrochloride capsules of 250 mg and 500 mg, the company said in a statement. The product is a generic version of Achromycin V Capsules, 250 mg and 500 mg, of Avet Pharmaceuticals (previously Heritage Pharmaceuticals), it added. Citing IQVIA MAT data, the company said the US market for tetracycline hydrochloride capsules 250 mg and 500 mg is approximately USD 16 million. The product will be manufactured at the companys flagship facility at Bengaluru and will be marketed by Strides Pharma in the US market, it said. Tetracycline hydrochloride capsule is an antibiotic used to treat many different bacterial infections of the skin, intestines, respiratory tract, urinary tract, genitals, lymph nodes, and other body systems, the company added. In some cases, tetracycline hydrochloride capsule is used when penicillin or another antibiotic cannot be used to treat serious infections such as Anthrax, Listeria, Clostridium, Actinomyces, it said.

Indian-origin doctor pleads guilty to illegally giving controlled substances to patients

The Week- Yoshita Singh

An Indian-origin doctor pleaded guilty to illegally giving controlled substances to six patients, including one who suffered from opioid addiction and later died of a drug overdose. Gurpreet Singh Bajwa, 49 of Fairfax, Virginia temporarily lost his medical license in 2012 following an investigation by the Virginia Department of Health Professions (DHP) into his prescription practices. After his license was reinstated, he significantly reduced the quantity of pain medications he prescribed, and switched over to stimulants, benzodiazepines, and sedatives. Bajwa pleaded guilty to five counts of distribution of Adderall, a combination medication containing four salts of amphetamine, and one count of distribution of oxycodone and faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison when sentenced on May 22. According to court documents, generally, at no point during any of his patients’ visits did Bajwa or any of his staff receive, review, or request prior medical files, obtain medical histories, conduct physical examinations, discuss the case of any attention disorder or what might properly address such a condition. Beginning in summer 2018, two undercover law enforcement officers posed as patients and made appointments to see Bajwa. At each visit, Bajwa prescribed the undercover officers a 30-day supply of Adderall, despite the undercover officers showing up to two weeks prior to the end of the previous 30 day period. One of the officers told Bajwa that she was a fitness model and needed Adderall for her workouts, which is not a legitimate use for the substance. The undercover officer also asked Bajwa to prescribe her extra pills that she could give to a “friend” and he readily agreed.

Andhra doctor directed to pay Rs 5 lakh compensation for discharging jaundice patient

The News Minute- PTI

The National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC) has held an Andhra Pradesh-based doctor guilty of negligence, and directed him to pay Rs 5 lakh as compensation to the children of his patient who had died 10 years ago at the age of 25. The countrys apex consumer commission asked Dr T Y Viswaroopachari to pay the amount and nine percent interest on it to the kids of C Padmavathi and observed that it was wrong on the part of the doctor to discharge her when she was suffering from severe jaundice. "At the time of discharge, she was suffering with severe jaundice... In our view, discharging a patient in such a condition was not justified. The opposite party (Dr Viswaroopachari) failed in its duty of care at the time of discharge," NCDRC Presiding member Dr S M Kantikar and member Dinesh Singh said. Padmavathi was admitted to Sri Veerabrahmendra Nursing Home run by Dr Viswaroopachari in August 2010 for treating an ulcerous growth on the lower part of her right leg. However, she was later diagnosed to be suffering from septicemia and encephalopathy. She was taken to another hospital for better treatment, where she died a few days later. The complaint alleged medical negligence on the part of Dr Viswaroopachari as he could not diagnose and treat the patient on time causing her death. The victims husband moved the district consumer forum which had dismissed his complaint. He later moved the state consumer commission, which directed the doctor to pay Rs 1.5 lakh as compensation. Dr Viswaroopachari challenged the state commissions order in NCDRC, which rejected his petition and modified the compensation amount to Rs 5 lakh along with interest.