In response to the growing need for specialized pediatric care, Gleneagles Hospital Mumbai is pleased to announce the expansion of its Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) program to include dedicated services for pediatric patients. This initiative aims to provide comprehensive BMT services catering specifically to children, offering renewed hope and advanced treatment options for pediatric hematologic and oncologic conditions.
The addition of Pediatric BMT services builds upon our existing expertise in adult BMT and further underscores our commitment to delivering exceptional healthcare across all age groups.
Dr. Ruchira Misra, a distinguished and dedicated pediatric hematologist-oncologist and transplant physician will spearhead this new program. With her extensive experience and compassionate approach to pediatric care, Dr. Misra is poised to make a significant impact on the lives of young patients and their families.
"We are thrilled to introduce Pediatric Bone Marrow Transplant services at Gleneagles Hospital Mumbai," said Dr. Ruchira Misra. Pediatric BMTs offer a chance of cure for a number of diseases like relapsed blood cancers, neuroblastomas, thalassemia, sickle cell anemia, Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome, and many more conditions. However, these children require very specialized care during their treatment. Gleneagles Hospital is already renowned for its high standards of care."
"This expansion represents a pivotal moment for Gleneagles Hospital Mumbai as we broaden our scope to meet the unique healthcare needs of pediatric patients "We are dedicated to providing specialized care and are confident that our pediatric BMT program will make a positive difference in the lives of many families. “Noted by Chief Operating Officer, Gleneagles Healthcare India Dr Vivek Talaulikar
In response to the growing need for specialized pediatric care, Gleneagles Hospital Mumbai is pleased to announce the expansion of its Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) program to include dedicated services for pediatric patients. This initiative aims to provide comprehensive BMT services catering specifically to children, offering renewed hope and advanced treatment options for pediatric hematologic and oncologic conditions.
The addition of Pediatric BMT services builds upon our existing expertise in adult BMT and further underscores our commitment to delivering exceptional healthcare across all age groups.
Dr. Ruchira Misra, a distinguished and dedicated pediatric hematologist-oncologist and transplant physician will spearhead this new program. With her extensive experience and compassionate approach to pediatric care, Dr. Misra is poised to make a significant impact on the lives of young patients and their families.
"We are thrilled to introduce Pediatric Bone Marrow Transplant services at Gleneagles Hospital Mumbai," said Dr. Ruchira Misra. Pediatric BMTs offer a chance of cure for a number of diseases like relapsed blood cancers, neuroblastomas, thalassemia, sickle cell anemia, Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome, and many more conditions. However, these children require very specialized care during their treatment. Gleneagles Hospital is already renowned for its high standards of care."
"This expansion represents a pivotal moment for Gleneagles Hospital Mumbai as we broaden our scope to meet the unique healthcare needs of pediatric patients "We are dedicated to providing specialized care and are confident that our pediatric BMT program will make a positive difference in the lives of many families. “Noted by Chief Operating Officer, Gleneagles Healthcare India Dr Vivek Talaulikar
An Ontario child under the age of five has tragically succumbed to measles, marking the first such fatality in the Canadian province in over a decade, according to the provincial health agency.
Public Health Ontario (PHO) confirmed the heartbreaking news on Thursday, revealing that the child, who was not vaccinated against the highly contagious respiratory virus, required hospitalization. The statement did not disclose the precise timing or location of the child's passing, nor their exact age.
This devastating loss underscores the urgency of vaccination efforts, as between January 1, 2013, and the present week, there had been no recorded measles-related deaths in the province. Measles, an airborne virus that primarily affects children under the age of five, is preventable through the administration of two doses of vaccine. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), vaccination efforts have averted more than 50 million deaths since 2000.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau attributed the recent outbreaks of preventable childhood illnesses, including measles, to "growing vaccine hesitancy" over the past decade in North America and around the world. He urged families to consult with their physicians about vaccination options for their children, emphasizing the importance of immunization in preventing such tragedies.
In February, the WHO issued a warning that unless urgent preventative measures were taken, more than half of the world's countries would be at high or very high risk of measles outbreaks by the end of the year.
Ontario, Canada's most populous province, has reported 22 cases of measles so far this year, with 15 cases linked to travel, according to PHO. Between 2013 and 2023, Ontario reported a total of 101 measles cases.
Despite Canada's successful eradication of measles in 1998 due to high immunization coverage, the province of Ontario continues to experience measles cases primarily associated with travel, commonly referred to as "measles importations," PHO explained.
New research published in The Lancet Neurology journal suggests that climate change could have detrimental effects on individuals with brain conditions like migraine and Alzheimer's disease. Lead researcher Sanjay Sisodiya from the University College London's Institute of Neurology explains that extreme temperatures, both high and low, as well as fluctuations throughout the day due to climate change, may exacerbate brain diseases.
The study, which reviewed 332 papers published between 1968 and 2023, examined 19 nervous system conditions including stroke, migraine, Alzheimer's, meningitis, epilepsy, and multiple sclerosis. It found that higher temperatures and heatwaves were associated with increased hospital admissions, disabilities, or deaths from stroke. Additionally, individuals with dementia may be particularly vulnerable to extreme temperatures and weather events like floods and wildfires due to cognitive impairment hindering their ability to adapt.
The research also looked into the impact of climate change on common psychiatric disorders such as anxiety, depression, and schizophrenia. Sisodiya emphasized the potential for climate anxiety to compound existing mental health challenges associated with brain conditions.
As climate-related extreme weather events intensify and global temperatures rise, the researchers stress the importance of ongoing, up-to-date research that considers both current and future climate conditions. Sisodiya underscores the need for dynamic research to provide valuable insights for individuals and organizations navigating the increasingly severe impacts of climate change on brain health.
The Department of Nursing at S.L. Raheja Hospital, Mahim – A Fortis Associate, proudly announces the conclusion of its first-ever Certificate Course in Wound Care Nursing, with 18 in-house nurses successfully completing the program. Launched during Nurses Week Celebration 2023 in collaboration with SNDT Women’s University, this initiative aimed to enhance nurses’ expertise in wound care management, addressing the critical need for preventive and therapeutic interventions.
Recognizing the pivotal role of preventive care in managing medical conditions, particularly wounds, the course curriculum focused on equipping nurses with specialized knowledge and advanced practices essential for effective wound care. With a strong emphasis on wound assessment, documentation, and classification, participants gained insights into managing various wound types, including chronic wounds prevalent among diabetic patients.
Led by Ms. Durga Vaidya, Chief of Nursing at S.L. Raheja Hospital, Mahim – A Fortis Associate, the program underscored the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration and patient communication in achieving optimal outcomes. Participants were trained in advanced treatment modalities such as negative pressure wound therapy and bioengineered skin substitutes, alongside the selection and application of appropriate dressings tailored to individual patient needs.
Dr. Kunal Punamiya, CEO of S.L. Raheja Hospital, Mahim – A Fortis Associate, expressed enthusiasm for the program's success and its contribution to healthcare education excellence. He emphasized the holistic treatment approach embedded in the curriculum, addressing factors such as glycemic control, infection prevention, and patient education, critical for accelerated wound healing.
Building on this success, S.L. Raheja Hospital, Mahim, plans to extend the course to nurses across Mumbai and surrounding areas. Interested participants can register for the program to elevate their skills in wound care management and contribute to enhanced patient care outcomes.
The Association of Pharmaceutical Teachers of India (APTI) is urging the Pharmacy Council of India (PCI) to institute a unified pharmacist registration process nationwide. This initiative aims to streamline admission procedures for pharmacy students and facilitate seamless inter-state job transfers for faculty members in pharmacy colleges, enhancing transparency and efficiency across the board.
Currently, there is a lack of comprehensive data monitoring pharmaceutical professionals across various sectors, including the industry. Implementing a common registration process would enable the inclusion of all these professionals, providing a consolidated overview of registered pharmacists.
One of the key advantages of a national registration process is the provision of a Unique Identification Number or National Pharmacist Registration Number, according to APTI. This standardized system would eliminate inconsistencies in registration procedures, which currently vary from state to state, leading to a more unified approach in line with the Pharmacy Act 1948.
Prof. Milind Umekar, President of APTI, and Dr. Raman Dang, Secretary of APTI, highlighted the discrepancies in registration validity, fee structures, and refresher course implementation across different states. These variations complicate the process of registration transfer within India or abroad, especially during migration.
While PCI has assigned a common registration number to every pharmacist, its effectiveness remains limited without uniform enforcement of a common registration process nationwide. APTI emphasizes that Aadhar authentication, authorized by the Union Ministry of Health, can be seamlessly integrated into this process for enhanced identity verification.
Citing past instances of registration validity anomalies and objectionable practices like engaging in dual job roles or renting licenses, Prof. Umekar underscores the need for a common registration process to maintain professional integrity.
Furthermore, initiatives such as the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Jan Aushadhi Pariyojana stand to benefit from a unified pharmacist registration system, offering opportunities for medication dispensation. Additionally, common registration would mitigate malpractices like the unauthorized sale of pharmacy degrees and streamline processes like the Graduate Pharmacy Aptitude Test (GPAT).
APTI also sees the common registration process as a boon for economically disadvantaged pharmacy students, facilitating faster identification of candidates eligible for scholarships in M. Pharm. and Ph.D. programs.
Moreover, a standardized registration system would simplify processes for students pursuing higher education or careers abroad, allowing the government to track their progress and employment status post-studies more effectively.
Zydus Lifesciences Ltd has unveiled an exclusive licensing and supply agreement with MSN Laboratories for the generic cancer treatment drug Cabozantinib tablets, targeting the US market. The subsidiary, Zydus Lifesciences Global FZE, has finalized this agreement, as disclosed in a regulatory filing.
This tablet serves as the generic counterpart to Exelixis' CABOMETYX. Under the terms, MSN Laboratories will spearhead the manufacturing and supply of the generic CABOMETYX upon regulatory clearance. Zydus, on the other hand, will take charge of marketing, distribution, and sales exclusively within the US market.
Zydus Lifesciences highlighted MSN Laboratories' distinction as the inaugural sole ANDA (Abbreviated New Drug Application) applicant for Cabozantinib tablets, potentially rendering them eligible for a 180-day period of generic drug exclusivity.
Sharvil Patel, Managing Director of Zydus Lifesciences, emphasized the partnership's alignment with their commitment to offering patients access to top-notch, cost-effective medications. Patel expressed enthusiasm about collaborating with MSN to introduce the generic version of CABOMETYX to American consumers.
MSN Group's Chairman & Founder Managing Director, MSN Reddy, echoed Patel's sentiments, citing the launch of Cabozantinib tablets as a testament to MSN's global prowess in development, manufacturing, and regulatory affairs. Reddy expressed confidence in the collaboration with Zydus, anticipating a successful commercialization journey while underscoring their mission to facilitate access to high-quality, affordable medicines.
Zydus Lifesciences projected a substantial market opportunity for Cabozantinib Tablets in the US, estimating its total addressable market at approximately USD 1,464 million, as per IQVIA MAT March 2024 data.
New research published in The Lancet Neurology journal suggests that climate change could have detrimental effects on individuals with brain conditions like migraine and Alzheimer's disease. Lead researcher Sanjay Sisodiya from the University College London's Institute of Neurology explains that extreme temperatures, both high and low, as well as fluctuations throughout the day due to climate change, may exacerbate brain diseases.
The study, which reviewed 332 papers published between 1968 and 2023, examined 19 nervous system conditions including stroke, migraine, Alzheimer's, meningitis, epilepsy, and multiple sclerosis. It found that higher temperatures and heatwaves were associated with increased hospital admissions, disabilities, or deaths from stroke. Additionally, individuals with dementia may be particularly vulnerable to extreme temperatures and weather events like floods and wildfires due to cognitive impairment hindering their ability to adapt.
The research also looked into the impact of climate change on common psychiatric disorders such as anxiety, depression, and schizophrenia. Sisodiya emphasized the potential for climate anxiety to compound existing mental health challenges associated with brain conditions.
As climate-related extreme weather events intensify and global temperatures rise, the researchers stress the importance of ongoing, up-to-date research that considers both current and future climate conditions. Sisodiya underscores the need for dynamic research to provide valuable insights for individuals and organizations navigating the increasingly severe impacts of climate change on brain health.
Latest research from India's leading diabetologists suggests that a blood test taken just an hour after consuming a glucose drink could significantly enhance diabetes risk assessment. According to findings by the Research Society for Study of Diabetes in India (RSSDI), individuals with a blood glucose level exceeding 155mg/dL during this test are at heightened risk of progressing rapidly from prediabetes to full-blown diabetes.
Dr. Rakesh Sahay, the first author of the study and President of RSSDI, underscores the importance of early detection in managing hyperglycemia and potentially preventing the onset of diabetes. The RSSDI's recommendation for the one-hour test as a screening tool applies particularly to individuals with normal fasting and two-hour post-load glucose levels.
Drawing on both international and domestic research, including a notable study conducted in Chennai involving 30,000 participants, the RSSDI's findings highlight the alarming rate at which individuals progress from prediabetes to diabetes. Notably, individuals with elevated one-hour post-glucose levels above 155mg/dL exhibit a significantly higher risk, with 19% developing diabetes and 52% developing prediabetes.
Furthermore, the International Diabetes Federation's recent endorsement of one-hour values for assessing diabetes risk underscores the global significance of this research. This recommendation is particularly pertinent for regions like India and Southeast Asia, where impaired fasting glucose (IFG) is prevalent.
Diabetologist Dr. R M Anjana emphasizes the importance of understanding the nuances between IFG and impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) in prediabetic individuals. Studies have shown that those with IGT are more responsive to lifestyle interventions aimed at preventing diabetes compared to those with IFG.
While achieving remission through lifestyle changes is possible, Dr. Anjana cautions against considering it a cure, as diabetes can resurface due to lifestyle factors or other medical conditions. These findings underscore the critical role of early detection and proactive management in curbing the diabetes epidemic, particularly in regions with a high prevalence of prediabetes like India and Southeast Asia.
The government has implemented price cuts on 41 commonly used medications and six formulations associated with cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and various other conditions. This initiative, as per a notification from the Department of Pharmaceutical and the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA), aims to make essential medications more accessible and affordable to the masses.
India, grappling with a staggering population of over 10 crore diabetes patients, faces a critical need for affordable healthcare solutions. The recent reduction in medication prices is expected to significantly benefit patients reliant on medications and insulin.
A senior official from NPPA emphasized the regulatory body's commitment to ensuring that essential medications remain within affordable limits for the public. Among the notable price reductions, medications like dapagliflozin metformin hydrochloride, utilized for managing blood glucose levels, have seen their prices slashed to ₹16 per tablet from the previous ₹30.
Additionally, combinations such as budesonide and formoterol, essential for asthma management, are now more accessible with prices reduced to ₹6.62 per dose. Hydrochlorothiazide tablets for blood pressure management will now be available for ₹10.45 per tablet.
The revised prices extend to a wide range of medications, including antibiotics, antacids, and pain relievers, aiming to alleviate the financial burden on patients. Notably, the price adjustments follow the NPPA's announcement of a 0.00551% increase in drug prices on the National List of Essential Drugs (NLEM) based on changes in the wholesale price index (WPI).
These decisions were made during the 143rd meeting of the NPPA, reaffirming the regulatory body's commitment to ensuring accessible healthcare for all. Moreover, the Department of Pharmaceuticals has initiated steps to reform drug and medical device pricing by expanding the committee overseeing these efforts to include more industry stakeholders. This move aims to strike a balance between pricing, availability, and industry growth, thereby fostering a more sustainable healthcare ecosystem.
The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and National Institute of Nutrition (NIN) have launched the "Dietary Guidelines for Indians-2024" to bridge the awareness gap surrounding healthy dietary practices. A key highlight of these guidelines is the recognition of palm oil's nutritional value, attributed to its balanced fatty acid composition and rich nutrient profile.
The guidelines emphasize the significance of dietary fats in providing concentrated energy, facilitating nutrient absorption, and enhancing dietary satisfaction. Palm oil, alongside oils like groundnut, cottonseed, sesame, and olive, is lauded for its richness in monounsaturated fatty acids, offering an array of health benefits, according to NIN.
Moreover, the guidelines underscore the role of minor components in dietary fats, such as tocopherols and tocotrienols found in palm oil, which contribute to reducing blood cholesterol levels and preventing fats from turning rancid.
Addressing the importance of essential fatty acids, the report advocates for incorporating a variety of oils and foods rich in these nutrients to ensure a well-rounded nutritional profile. It emphasizes the need for balance in fat consumption to optimize health outcomes and mitigate the risk of chronic diseases.
Furthermore, the guidelines clarify misconceptions regarding cholesterol, affirming that palm oil, like other edible oils, does not contain cholesterol. Instead, it contains beneficial substances like lignans, sterols, and tocopherols, which aid in reducing cholesterol levels and combating oxidant damage.
The report highlights palm oil's unique balance of saturated, monounsaturated, and polyunsaturated fatty acids, which, when consumed in moderation, can contribute to maintaining healthy cholesterol levels. It aims to promote informed dietary choices by integrating traditional practices with modern communication strategies to narrow the awareness gap among the populace.
In conclusion, the updated dietary guidelines prioritize empowering individuals to make informed choices that support their health and longevity, underscoring the importance of incorporating palm oil and diverse sources of essential nutrients into daily dietary habits.