BioVoice News May 2016 Issue 1 Volume1 | Page 36

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APOLLO LIFE JOINS HAND WITH DEEPAK CHOPRA TO LAUNCH APOLLO JIYO APP
By superbly leveraging the technology expertise and global reach of Jiyo ( founded by Deepak Chopra , worldrenowned physician , bestselling author and Poonacha Machaiah , entrepreneur and technology expert ) and the vast experience of the medical fraternity across the Apollo Hospitals Group , this initiative is the first of its kind in the world of corporate wellbeing in India . The App will feature internationally curated content on wellbeing , fitness , nutrition , sleep management , relaxation and healing provided by the renowned experts and celebrity fitness and nutritional experts which are a part of the panel . “ We are committed to provide timely access to health and enable people to make informed healthcare choices . The wellness of India will determine the progress of India and this is a step to ensure that goal . We are happy to have partnered with Dr Deepak Chopra , the world ’ s leading wellness guru for this initiative .
ISCR HAILS DCGI ' S NOTIFICATION ON ACADEMIC RESEARCH TRIALS
The Indian Society for Clinical Research ( ISCR ), the nodal clinical research professional association in India , has said that the recent March 16th Gazette notification by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare regarding exemption given to academic trials approved by the Ethics Committee for a new indication , new route of administration , new dose or new dosage form of approved drug formulations , would give a much needed boost to institutional research being conducted in India . The recent amendment will significantly reduce start-up timelines due to exemption from the Drug Controller General of India ( DCGI ) approval while maintaining vigilance through Ethics Committees .
WORKING WITH STATES ON AVAILABILITY OF GENERIC DRUGS IN RURAL AREAS , SAYS HEALTH MINISTRY
While the public health has been a state subject in India , the union government has maintained that under the National Health Mission ( NHM ), it still provides the support to States for strengthening their healthcare system including support for provision of free generic drugs to those who access public health facilities including in rural areas . Speaking in the Parliament on the issue , the Union Health Minister , Mr J P Nadda gave details of his ministry ' s role and activities . " A number of steps have been taken by the government to promote use of generic medicines . Circulars and
instructions have been issued from time to time to all Central Government hospitals , CGHS dispensaries and State Governments for encouraging prescription of generic medicines . The Code of Medical Ethics under Indian Medical Council Regulations , 2002 also mandates prescription of drugs with generic names ."
ROTAVIRUS VACCINE IS NOW PART OF UIP , NADDA TERMS IT HISTORIC MOMENT
Rotavirus vaccine is now the part of the Universal Immunization Programme ( UIP ) and is expected to drastically reduce the diahoreal deaths in the country to great extent . In addition , four new vaccines are being introduced as part of UIP including Inactivated Polio Vaccine ( IPV ), Rotavirus vaccine , Measles , Rubella ( MR ) vaccine , and Adult Japanese Encephalitis ( JE ) vaccine . With these new vaccines , India ’ s UIP will provide free vaccines against 12 life threatening diseases , to 27 million children annually , the largest birth cohort in the world . “ We have achieved a new milestone towards expanding the coverage of full immunization in the country aimed at reducing child mortality ,” mentioned the Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare Mr J P Nadda at the national launch of the Rotavirus vaccine as part of the Universal Immunization Programme ( UIP ) of the country , on March 26 , 2016 .
PM MODI ' S REFERENCE TO DIABETES IN ' MANN KI BAAT ' APPRECIATED
Citing the Prime Minister Mr Narendra Modi ’ s reference to Diabetes as the theme of this year ’ s World Health Day during his “ Mann Ki Baat ” radio broadcast on March 27th , the Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh has said that this reflects the Government of India ’ s serious concern for controlling the rapidly spreading epidemic of Diabetes in this country . " Prime Minister ’ s reference is not only a matter of encouragement for the entire Diabetes fraternity but also entrusts the responsibility upon us to live up to the task of prevention and control of Diabetes as well as other Non-Communicable diseases , which is the major challenge for 21st century India ," added Dr Singh who is a renowned diabetologist himself .
ONE THIRD TB CASES GO UNDETECTED IN INDIA , DOCTORS WANT BETTER DIAGNOSTIC ALGORITHMS
With multi-drug resistant tuberculosis emerging as a major obstacle in the fight against tuberculosis , doctors have advocated the need for a collective move to adopt appropriate diagnostic mechanisms that help in accurate diagnosis of drug resistant strains of TB . “ The emergence of multi drug resistant TB has jeopardized global objectives of TB eradication . In India , we were already struggling with
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BioVoiceNews | May 2016