50 cases detected in state in past few years, patients put on high-level medication

More than 50 multi-drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) cases have been detected in the state in the past few years and the patients have been put on high-level medication. Though the state has a full-fledged anti-TB wing which has in recent years curbed the mortality rate among patients, the new strain has caught the health workers by surprise and could adversely affect the success of schemes implemented to eradicate the disease.

State Wants Proactive Role In Monitoring Trials

Jaipur: At least one person, on an average, died every month in Rajasthan during clinical trials in the past eight years. But the state government had no clue about these trials and the related deaths.

291 cases of serious adverse events reported

Scheme To Be Launched From July 15, Will Cover 9 To 18-Yr-Olds

New Delhi: Alarmed at the results of a survey of government school students that found 20% of them suffering from anaemia, Delhi government is set to launch Centre’s WIFS (Weekly Iron and Folic acid Supplementation programme) in all government schools and anganwadi centres from July 15.

A PGI study has revealed the incidence of multi-drug resistant tuberculosis (MDRTB) in the Northern region is much higher than the WHO estimates.

A report submitted to the State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) by the Drugs and Food Control Organisation (DFCO), a state government agency, has revealed that 438 medicines, including inject-able drugs have been found ‘not of standard quality’ (NSQ) after analysis over the past seven years. These samples were lifted randomly by officials of the organisation from government-run hospitals and chemist shops.

The SHRC is hearing a complaint by a civil society group, Jammu and Kashmir People’s Forum, filed in the wake of the spurious drugs scam and had asked for a factual report from the authorities concerned.

Move to ensure compliance with recent guidelines; discrepancies to attract severe action

The country's apex drug regulator plans periodic inspection of clinical trial sites to ensure these comply with the recently issued guidelines. If discrepancies are found, strict action is to be taken against the company and the trials might also be suspended, said a senior official in the the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) office.

Some Private Hospitals Come Under Attack From Govt-Appointed Panel

Thiruvananthapuram: The committee appointed by the government to look into the human drug trials has found that several companies in the state are conducting trials with just profit as their motive. To regulate this, the committee headed by Kerala State Council for Science and Technology executive vice president V N Rajasekharan Pillai has recommended bringing in a legislation to control the trials.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has identified anti- malarial resistance in four countries of South East Asia and launched an emergency response to prevent resistant strains of the malarial parasites from spreading further.

On the occasion of World Malaria Day today, the WHO has also cited concerns over resistance emerging to insecticides which countries like India and sub-Saharan Africa are using to treat mosquito nets for the purpose of vector control. The advice for such countries is — develop new insecticides.