Beware fake COVID-19 cyber cures warns EU medicines agency

The Hague, March 24, 2020 -Europes medicines agency Tuesday warned consumers not buy any online medication claiming to be a treatment for COVID-19, saying doing so could cause serious harm.The Amsterdam-based European Medicines Agency advised online buyers only to use registered online pharmacies when buying medicines."The EMA is urging the general public not to buy medicines from unauthorised websites and other vendors aiming to exploit fears and concerns during the ongoing pandemic of the coronavirus disease," it said in a statement....read more

COVID Models to Know Future Numbers (For attention of Doctors)

1.Case fatality rate:Number of deaths/number of cases, As on 5 pm 23rd March, 14924/345289 = 4.32 %2.Correct formula: CFR = deaths at day.x /cases at day.x-(T), (where T = average time period from case confirmation to death, which is 14 days)Deaths on 23rd March = 14924; Cases 14 days before 10th March = 114381Correct CFR = 14924/114381= 13%3.Deaths in symptomatic cases= 1-2%, Number of deaths X 100= expected number of symptomatic cases....read more

Off label use of Hydroxychloroquine and Azithromycin in COVID 19 (For attention of Doctors)

Recommended treatment regimen: Hydroxychloroquine (200 mg three times per day and Azithromycin 500 mg once daily for 10 days

COVID-19 infection is linked with 155 mortality in patients above the age of 80 years, 85 in patients over 70 years and 3% in patients over 60 years. With no proven treatment yet available so far, medical researchers and doctors have been actively looking for off-label use of approved drugs in the management of COVID-19 cases....read more

CMAAO IMA HCFI Corona Myths Buster (12-15) (For attention of Doctors)

One should stock up on bottled water:The water supply is not at risk, and there is no need to stock up on bottled water. If you normally drink tap water, you can keep drinking it.Maids working at home are OK: The Harvard Medical School suggests the following:●Choose a worker who has minimal exposure to other people besides your family....read more

The science behind observing Shradhs

According to the Vedas, every individual has three debts to be paid off, firstly, the Devtas (Dev Rin), secondly of Guru and teachers (Rishi Rin) and, thirdly, of Ancestors (Pitra Rin). From the scientific point of view, devtas represent people with Daivik qualities; teachers the ones who have taught us and Pitra, three generations of our ancestors. Rin from scientific point of view would mean unfinished desires or tasks....read more

How Corona Aware Are You

Immediate Orders for Vaccination of Beggars due to Coronavirus Outbreak, Can you help me out by signing this petition?

Health Sutras By Dr K K Aggarwal

Keep a distance of 3 feet from a person who is coughing, sneezing or singing.

Healthcare News Monitor

Chemists asked to check panic buying of key malaria drug

The Times of India

NEW DELHI: Amid concerns that panic buying of hydroxy-choloroquine may lead to shortage of the drug after the government allowed prophylactic use of the anti-malarial medicine for prevention of Covid-19 in high-risk cases only, All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists (AIOCD) asked all its member retailers to keep a stringent check on prescriptions and not sell a dosage of more than 15-20 days per customer. Separately, the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) as well as some state drug authorities also issued advisories to pharma retailers and chemists to not sell hydroxy-choloroquine, chloroquine as well as the anti-retroviral combination of lopinavir and ritonavir - approved for emergency treatment of Covid-19 - and related products to anyone without prescription of a registered doctor having an MD (Medicine) degree or a pulmonologist. While manufacturers maintain there are adequate stocks of the drug as of now, India exports almost 80% of its production to countries like Africa as the drug is almost redundant for use in India.

India may stockpile key Covid-19 drug; cos gearing up to meet demand

The Times of India

The government is planning to build a stock pile of drug hydroxychloroquine in the wake of the National Task Force for Covid-19 recommending on Monday it’s use for treatment) of high-risk cases. It is learnt that the plan initially is to stockpile around 10 to 20 lakh dosages, of 200 mg and 400 mg each of the drug, and the drug manufacturers have been sounded out. Ahmedabad-based Zydus Cadila, Mumbai-based IPCA Labs and Cipla, major manufacturers of hydroxychloroquine, are gearing up to meet the demand, and have ample stocks in the country. Significantly, the issue was discussed in PM’s interaction with pharma industry on March 21, where one of the major players assured that India has enough stocks, and if there’s need, 25 lakh dosages of the drug can be supplied. The drug is used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and malaria. With a global race to develop effective treatments for the dreaded virus, hydroxychloroquine, has emerged as one of the frontrunners globally. The drug hydroxychloroquine shot in limelight recently after US President Trump touted it as a potential treatment, while France has found early evidence that a combination of hydroxychloroquine and antibiotic azithromycin. According to Indian Council of Medical Research advisory, it should be given to the high-risk population -- asymptomatic healthcare workers involved in the care of suspected or confirmed cases of Covid-19, and asymptomatic household contacts of confirmed cases. When contacted, Pankaj Patel, chairman of Cadila Healthcare said, "We have the capacity to make 20 tons per month, and can double it, if the need arises." Two companies Zydus and IPCA also manufacture the raw materials (active pharmaceutical ingredients) for the finished formulation.

Landlords in India may face action for evicting doctors and nurses who treat Covid-19 patients

Mint- J. Jagannath

Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke to Delhi Commissioner of Police and asked him to take strict action against landlords asking doctors and nurses who are treating Covid-19 patients to vacate residences. Shahs directive comes after woes of the medical personnel surfacing on Twitter and Facebook. Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan too spoke against the recent trend of landlords evicting their tenants who happen to be medical personnel. "Deeply anguished to see reports pouring in from Delhi, Noida, Warangal,Chennai etc that doctors and paramedics are being ostracised in residential complexes and societies. Landlords are threatening to evict them fearing Covid-19 infection. Please don’t panic," he said. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said: "On the request of Prime Minister we clapped for our doctors, nurses and others who are giving essential services. But now I am getting information that a landlord has forcefully evicted a nurse tenant as she works among coronavirus patients." He was referring to the appreciation that people showed towards the medical personnel combating the coronavirus during the Janta Curfew by ringing bells and clapping. On Sunday, Indians took to their balconies and streets at 5 pm to collectively appreciate the dedication and hard work of the people involved in containing and treating the coronavirus pandemic. However, a day since, several stories of harassment faced by them have surfaced on social media.

In Mumbai, Reliance Industries sets up Indias first Covid-19 dedicated hospital

Mint- ANI

Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) on Monday said that it has set up Indias first COVID-19 dedicated hospital in Mumbai that includes a negative pressure room that helps in preventing cross-contamination and helps control infection. "Sir HN Reliance Foundation Hospital in collaboration with the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), has set up a dedicated 100 bedded COVID-19 centre at Seven Hills Hospital, Mumbai for patients who test positive for COVID-19," RIL said in an official statement. "This first-of-its-kind-in-India centre is fully funded by Reliance Foundation and includes a negative pressure room that helps in preventing cross-contamination and helps control infection. All beds are equipped with the required infrastructure, biomedical equipment such as ventilators, pacemakers, dialysis machines, and patient monitoring devices," it added. "Sir HN Reliance Foundation Hospital, a world-class healthcare institution in Mumbai, has also offered to set up special medical facilities to quarantine travellers from notified countries and suspected cases identified through contact tracing," the statement further said. RIL also said that it will continue to pay its contract and temporary workers, even if work has halted due to the coronavirus pandemic.