Antibody drug lowers risk of death in elderly covid-19 patients - Cuban study

An antibody drug already being used against the coronavirus in Cuba decreased the risk of intensive care admission and death among nursing home residents with moderate covid-19, according to a small study conducted in the island nation. ,Indias Biocon Ltd said earlier this month it received regulatory approval in India for itolizumab for use in coronavirus infected patients with moderate-to-severe respiratory distress. It was originally tested as a treatment for psoriasis. ,Researchers, including from Cubas Center of Molecular Immunology, which developed itolizumab, said timely use of the drug in combination with standard therapy helped reduce inflammation and prevented covid-19 from worsening. ....read more

CMAAO Coronavirus Facts and Myth Buster: Paradigm shifts in COVID-19

With inputs from Dr Monica Vasudev1029: Update on COVID-19: IMA-CMAAO Webinar on “Paradigm shifts in COVID-19” ,25th July, 2020, 4-5pm,Participants: Dr RV Asokan, Hony Secretary General IMA; Dr Ramesh K Datta, Hony Finance Secretary IMA; Dr Jayakrishnan Alapet; Dr Brijendra Prakash; Dr Sanchita Sharma ,Faculty: Dr KK Aggarwal, Padma Shri Awardee, President CMAAO & HCFI,Dr KK Aggarwal elaborated on the paradigm shifts in the management of COVID-19 from the month of March to July, based on his experiences of patients with COVID-19.Key points from the discussionCOVID-19 was first considered to be a viral pneumonia, but now it is known as a mysterious virus, which is predictably unpredictable. It spares joints and larynx, so no joint involvement or hoarseness of voice; also, no lymph nodes involvement. ....read more

World COVID Meter 30th July: India Number 3, 213 Countries Affected

Cases: 1M April 2, 2M April 15, 3M April 27, 4M May 8, 5M May 20, 6M May 30, 7M June 7, 8M June 15, 9M June 22, 10M June 29th, 11M July 4, 12M July 8, 13M July 13, 14M July 17, 15M July 23, 16M July 25 ,Ground Zero: Wuhan - in live animal market or cafeteria for animal pathogens: 10th January; Total cases are based on RT PCR, 67% sensitivity ,Coronavirus Cases: 17,201,277,Deaths: 670,454,Recovered: 10,716,271,ACTIVE CASES: 5,814,552,Currently Infected Patients 5,748,167 (99%) in Mild Condition ,66,385 (1%) Serious or Critical,CLOSED CASES: 11,386,725....read more

The very purpose of life is to face sufferings

According to Hinduism, the very fact we are born means that in our last life, we did not get liberation or Moksha. It also means that some sufferings in our last birth still remained. Therefore, the purpose of this birth is to face those sufferings. ,When the purpose of our life is to face sufferings, why suffer from them? ,This should be considered as ‘sukh’ and not ‘dukh’. As per Vedic literature, every adversity is an opportunity to learn or to do something different. The notable principles of Buddhism also talk about the same. The first is that suffering exists, second that there is a reason for every suffering and third that it is possible to neutralize the suffering by understanding the 8 paths of cessation of suffering. ....read more

Healthcare News Monitor

Pharma firms commit 815,000 doses of remdesivir supply in August

Business Standard

In the wake of shortage of critical drugs used to treat Covid patients, the Centre has stepped up pressure on pharmaceutical companies to ramp up production of injectables like remdesivir. ,According to sources, 365,000 doses of remdesivir are scheduled for supply in July. In August, the makers have committed to supply 815,000 doses. ,Remdesivir is a Gilead Sciences, Inc. drug being made by Indian players under license agreements with the innovator. The drug, originally developed for Ebola, has been repurposed for Covid-19, and is being given to patients under the compassionate-use programme.

AstraZeneca beats forecasts on strong drug sales, backs outlook

ET Health

British drugmaker AstraZeneca topped second-quarter sales and profit estimates on Thursday and backed its 2020 forecasts, helped by strong sales in lockdowns of a diverse product range that now includes a potential coronavirus vaccine. ,Chief Executive Pascal Soriot has driven a change in the companys fortunes by investing in varied products and betting on newer medicines, which jolted the drugmaker onto the global stage. ,Shares of Britains most valuable listed company are seen rising 1-2% in London, according to a premarket indicator. ,The company reiterated it was on track with late-stage trials for its coronavirus vaccine. "Our company has mounted a significant response to COVID-19, with capacity to deliver over two billion doses of AZD1222," Soriot said.

Explained: The controversial ‘demon sperm’ doctor Trump has made popular

The Indian Express

A controversial American physician, Dr Stella Immanuel, whose beliefs include male and female sex demons, was popularised by US President Donald Trump on Monday. He retweeted a video featuring Immanuel, which claimed face masks were useless and Covid-19 had a “cure”.Twitter later deleted Trump’s tweets on the video and temporarily suspended the account of Donald Trump Jr, his son, who had also shared it. ,What was the video shared by Donald Trump? ,In the video, recorded outside the US Supreme Court in Washington, DC, Immanuel said, “This virus has a cure. It is called hydroxychloroquine, zinc, and Zithromax. I know you people want to talk about a mask. Hello? You don’t need masks. There is a cure. I know they don’t want to open schools. No, you don’t need people to be locked down. There is prevention and there is a cure.”

Bring back the smile: Tackling cleft in India, one doctor at a time

Financial Express

Almost a year ago our Hon’ble Prime Minister launched the Fit India Movement encouraging children to take up sports and promising that the government will act as an active catalyst to promote a healthy India. At the same time, India is also a country that ranks lower than Bangladesh and Sudan on the global healthcare access and quality index. While India’s Universal Immunization Programme is one of the largest public health interventions with an extensive vaccine delivery system resulting in India being declared a polio free country, it’s also a place where people believe that cleft lip and palate is caused by a solar eclipse or is a result of God’s wrath. It has always been a country of contrasts.