Issue of pharma pricing control in Australia raised by India

New Delhi: The issue of pharmaceutical pricing control in Australia, especially on generic medicines has been raised by India, in a bilateral meeting held between the Indian and Australian officials.

The two sides have decided to work closely on timely resolution of market access issues, deepen people-to-people contacts, and create an institutional mechanism for sharing of preferential import data, the commerce ministry said on Saturday.

The bilateral trade between the countries declined 7.7 per cent to USD 24 billion in 2023-24 as against USD 26 billion in 2022-23.
These issues among others were discussed during the first Joint Committee Meeting (JCM) in Canberra under India-Australia Economic Co-operation and Trade Agreement (Ind-Aus ECTA).
“Both the sides while acknowledging the smooth implementation of the ECTA, briefly elaborated on ECTA implementation issues including MRAs (mutual recognition agreements) on organic products, market access issues related to products like okra, pomegranate, grapes, cottage cheese…pharmaceutical pricing control in Australia particularly on generics, progress made by the working group on whisky and wine,” the ministry said.
The aim was to address regulatory challenges and promote trade of these products, it said adding setting up of disease-free zones for shrimps and prawns in India was also discussed.
It added that the JCM meeting addressed certain critical services issues, including the consideration of India’s request for facilitation of cross border e-payments and MRAs in professions like nursing and dentistry.
Discussions were also held at the chief negotiators level between Additional Secretary Rajesh Aggarwal and Assistant Secretary Ravi Kewalram from DFAT under India-Australia CECA (comprehensive economic cooperation agreement) negotiations to review the progress made after nine rounds and the way forward for its completion with a view to reaching at a balanced outcome.
“Australia is an important trading partner of India in the Oceania region with merchandise trade between India and Australia reaching around USD 24 billion in 2023-24, signalling significant potential for further growth,” it added.
The meeting serves as a platform to further strengthen trade ties and explore new opportunities for bilateral economic cooperation in areas such as trade facilitation, investment promotion, as well as cooperation in other areas including support for technology

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58-Year-Old Female Patient undergoes Transcatheter Mitral and Tricuspid Clip Procedure at Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals

New Delhi: Indraprastha Apollo Hospital has successfully performed a rare transcatheter mitral and tricuspid clip procedure, providing an alternative to open heart surgery for a 58-year-old female with severe mitral and tricuspid valve regurgitation. 

This innovative procedure, conducted by Dr Vanita Arora, Senior Consultant, Cardiac Electrophysiologist & Interventional Cardiologist at Apollo Hospital, along with a team of specialized doctors and nurses, resulted in a significant reduction in regurgitation and a rapid recovery for the patient, who was discharged in stable condition within 48 hours. 

The patient, had been experiencing palpitations for the past 2-3 years. She previously underwent radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia (AVNRT) in 2020. Despite the procedure, she continued to suffer from atrial fibrillation with fast ventricular response (AF with FVR), as well as symptoms of weakness, fatigue, and breathlessness.

Also Read:Indraprastha Apollo Hospital doctors perform complex Aortic surgery on 55-year-old man

Upon admission, the patient was diagnosed with severe mitral regurgitation (MR) and severe tricuspid regurgitation (TR), along with an increase in the size of the left atrium (LA) and right atrium (RA). Additionally, her left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) had fallen to 35%, with mild dilation of the left ventricle. Given these conditions, the patient was presented with the option of open-heart surgery for mitral and tricuspid valve repair/replacement. However, she opted for the Transcatheter Mitral and Tricuspid Clips.

During the procedure, the team of doctors, successfully reduced the mitral regurgitation from Grade IV to Grade I by placing the mitral clip in the 12-6 o’clock position. The tricuspid clip was then placed, reducing the tricuspid regurgitation from Grade IV to Grade I. Both procedures were guided by transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) and fluoroscopy, ensuring precise placement of the clips.

The patient was discharged in stable condition 48 hours after the procedure, with a 2D echocardiogram showing both clips in place and regurgitation reduced to Grade I. This case demonstrates that carefully selected patients can benefit from this minimally invasive technique, allowing for quicker recovery times and reducing the need for open heart surgery.

Dr Vanita Arora, Senior Consultant, Cardiac Electrophysiologist & Interventional Cardiologist at Apollo Hospitals said, “This patient, who presented with complex cardiac conditions, could have required open-heart surgery, but our minimally invasive approach using transcatheter clips provided a safer alternative. The use of transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) and fluoroscopy ensured precise placement, resulting in a significant improvement in the patient’s condition and a faster recovery.

I am extremely proud of our team of Cardiologists and Cardiac Surgeons – Dr. Gautam Naik, Dr. Mukesh Goel, Dr. Rekha Mishra, Dr. Vikas Singh, Dr. Deepa Sarkar, Sr. Anu (Nursing Incharge), Sr. Pui B and Mr. Shyam, Head cath lab Technician, for their collaborative efforts in making this procedure a success. This case is a clear example of how teamwork and advanced technology can lead to innovative healthcare solutions, allowing patients to recover quickly without major surgery. Indraprastha Apollo Hospital is committed to continuing this approach, offering effective treatments with minimal recovery times”

Also Read:Doctors at Indraprastha Apollo Hospital successfully treats 39-year-old woman suffering from polymyositis

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Postponing NEET SS 2024 would Compound Existing Challenges for Aspirants: Doctors Urge NMC to clarify on exam date

New Delhi: Taking up the concerns of the aspirants regarding the possible date for conducting the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test Super Speciality (NEET-SS) 2024 examination, the doctors have now requested urgent clarification and action regarding the exam from the National Medical Commission (NMC).

Writing to NMC, doctors under the Indian Medical Association Junior Doctors’ Network (IMA-JDN) referred to the communication by the Postgraduate Medical Education Board (PGMEB) dated 23.02.2024, through which the PG Board of NMC had indicated the possibility of not conducting NEET-SS 2024 in the current year and postpone it to 2025.

Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that the said communication came to light after NMC shared the minutes of the meeting dated 23.02.2024 while responding to a Right to Information (RTI) application filed by social and political activist Dr. Vivek Pandey.

Filing the RTI, Dr. Pandey had sought the details of the NMC meeting when the decision to prepone the NEET PG 2024 was taken. The concerned meeting was held under the chairmanship of Dr. Vijay Oza, President of PGMEB on 21.02.2024 at 4:00 PM through virtual mode to discuss the examination and counselling schedule for NEET PG 2024 and the pattern of examination for NEET SS.

Regarding the NEET SS 2024 exam date, the minutes of the meeting stated, “Regarding NEET SS-2024, it was decided that as admissions for academic year 2021 for MD/MS and DNB courses were held only a January to May 2022, therefore, NEET SS-2024 may not be conducted in the current year. However exact date of counselling NEET SS- 2024 in the year 2025 will be decided later.”

Also Read: NEET SS 2024 may not be held this year: NMC

Writing to NMC, IMA JDN referred to this communication and pointed out that it has “instigated widespread confusion and distress among NEET SS aspirants nationwide.”

The association opined that postponing the examination would derail the career trajectory of the aspirants and also create uncertainty and anxiety. “While cognizant of the complexities posed by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and its disruptive impact on the academic calendar, the decision to defer the NEET SS examination for the academic year 2024 carries profound ramifications for aspiring candidates. Such a postponement not only derails their career trajectory but also engenders considerable uncertainty and anxiety among them.” the association mentioned in the letter.

“As we represent the large number of young medicos community of India, we implore the National Medical Commission to reconsider its stance and proceed with the NEET SS-2024 examination as initially scheduled. Upholding the sanctity of the examination process is paramount to ensuring equitable opportunities for all eligible candidates,” it further added.

Opining that postponement of the exam “would only compound the existing challenges by medical aspirants, particularly against the backdrop of unprecedented circumstances precipitated by the pandemic”, the association requested NMC for its “urgent intervention” to “provide clarity and assurance to NEET SS aspirants nationwide.”

“We earnestly appeal for a swift and favorable resolution that underscores the principles of fairness and transparency in medical education,” the letter added.

Speaking to Medical Dialogues, the National Convener of IMA-JDN, Dr. Indranil Deshmukh said, “Regarding NEET SS 2024, it was decided that as admissions for academic year 2021 for MD/MS and DNB courses were held only in January to May 2022( due to COVID), therefore, batch of 2021 is not eligible to give the exam for this year. So NEET SS 2024 may not be conducted in the current year. But those students who are from 2020 batch and above are also not able to give the exam who are preparing for the exam by leaving their jobs. That’s why IMA JDN has raised this concern.”

There was a lot of uncertainty and confusion regarding the dates of NEET SS exam this year ever since the National Board of Examinations (NBE) announced the tentative dates of its forthcoming examinations for this academic year. However, the exam calendar released by NBE did not include the dates for the NEET SS 2024 exam even though the tentative dates for NEET PG 2024, FMGE June 2024 etc exams were given.

Earlier, expressing concern over this, the Indian Medical Association (IMA), Maharashtra, and the Maharashtra Chapter of the IMA Junior Doctors’ Network had written to the NBE and demanded clarification and sought to know the expected date of conducting NEET SS 2024.

Then, the doctors under the United Doctors Front Association (UDFA) also wrote to the NMC and sought clarity regarding the NEET SS exam date. The association opined that not holding NEET SS 2024 would result in a delay in their career progression and also cause them distress. “We understand the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent disruptions in the academic calendar. However, not conducting the NEET SS examination for the academic year 2024 would have profound implications for aspiring candidates. It would not only delay their career progression but also cause significant distress and uncertainty among them,” stated the letter.

Also Read: NEET SS 2024 this year or next year? Doctors Seek Clarity from NMC

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Childhood sedentariness linked to premature heart damage: Light physical activity reverses risk, study shows

An increase in sedentary time from childhood causes progressing heart enlargement, a new study shows. However, light physical activity could reduce the risk. The study was conducted in collaboration among the Universities of Bristol, Exeter and Eastern Finland, and the results were published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology.

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Loneliness common among older informal caregivers, says report

On behalf of the Swedish Gender Equality Agency, researchers Lena Dahlberg and Mariam Kirvalidze have done a scoping review of informal caregiving and loneliness.

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Parents’ watchful eye may keep young teens from trying alcohol, drugs: Study

Teenagers are less likely to drink, smoke or use drugs when their parents keep tabs on their activities—but not necessarily because kids are more likely to be punished for substance use, suggests a new study in the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs.

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Repurposed cancer drug could treat diabetes by nudging pancreatic acinar cells to produce insulin

In 2016, University of Pittsburgh researchers Dr. Farzad Esni, Ph.D., and Jing Hu, Ph.D., did an experiment in mice where they deleted one of two copies of the gene encoding an enzyme called focal adhesion kinase (FAK). They were interested in the role of FAK in pancreatic cancer, but a surprise finding took the research in a very different direction.

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Research shows LGBTQI+ health-related content in medical school has increased

Reducing barriers to comprehensive and affirming health care for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and intersex (LGBTQI+) populations requires physicians to receive LGBTQI+ health content during undergraduate medical education (UME).

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Lupin bags USFDA nod for Travoprost Ophthalmic Solution

Mumbai: Global pharma major Lupin Limited has announced that it has received approval from the United States Food and Drug Administration (U.S. FDA) for its Abbreviated New Drug Application for Travoprost Ophthalmic Solution USP, 0.004%(Ionic Buffered Solution), to market a generic equivalent to the reference listed drug (RLD)Travatan Z Ophthalmic Solution, 0.004%, of Sandoz Inc.

The product will be manufactured at Lupin’s Pithampur facility in India.

Travoprost Ophthalmic Solution USP, 0.004%, is indicated for the reduction of elevated intraocular pressure in patients with open angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension.

Read also: Lupin Digital Health’s Lyfe Platform gets Class C Medical Device license from CDSCO

Medical Dialogues team had earlier reported that the Company had received approval from the U.S. FDA for its Abbreviated New Drug Application for Loteprednol Etabonate Ophthalmic Suspension, 0.5%, to market a generic equivalent to the reference listed drug (RLD)Lotemax Ophthalmic Suspension, 0.5%, of Bausch & Lomb Inc.

Read also: Lupin bags USFDA approval for Loteprednol Etabonate Ophthalmic Suspension

Global pharma major Lupin Limited has announced that the Company has received approval from the United States Food and Drug Administration (U.S. FDA) for its Abbreviated New Drug Application for Loteprednol Etabonate Ophthalmic Suspension, 0.5%, to market a generic equivalent to the reference listed drug (RLD)Lotemax Ophthalmic Suspension, 0.5%, of Bausch & Lomb Inc.

Travoprost Ophthalmic Solution USP, 0.004% (RLD Travatan Z), had estimated annual sales of USD 77 million in the U.S. (IQVIA MAT March 2024).

Read also: Lupin bags USFDA approval for Loteprednol Etabonate Ophthalmic Suspension

Lupin is an innovation-led transnational pharmaceutical company headquartered in Mumbai, India. The Company develops and commercializes a wide range of branded and generic formulations, biotechnology products, and APIs in over 100 markets in the U.S., India, South Africa, and across the Asia Pacific (APAC), Latin America (LATAM), Europe, and Middle East regions.

The Company specializes in the cardiovascular, anti-diabetic, and respiratory segments and has a significant presence in the anti-infective, gastro-intestinal (GI), central nervous system (CNS), and women’s health areas. The company invested 7.8% of its revenue in research and development in FY24.

Lupin has 15 manufacturing sites, 7 research centers.

Read also: Lupin unveils Rymti biosimilar Etanercept in Canada

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5 SRM medical college MBBS students Drown In Sea Off Kanyakumari Coast

Tiruchirappalli: In a tragic incident, 5 final year MBBS students of a private medical college in Tamil Nadu’s Trichy, who went to Nagercoil to attend a wedding, drowned in the sea off the Rajakkamangalam Lemur Beach on Monday morning.

According to the police, all five deceased medicos, two women and three men house surgeons, were final-year students of Trichy SRM Medical College Hospital and Research Centre. One of the victims was from Andhra Pradesh, and the other four were from Tamil Nadu, all in the age group of 23-24 years. The police said all bodies have been recovered.

Speaking to PTI, the police said, “Five students of a private medical college in Tiruchirappalli drowned in the sea off the coast of Kanniyakumari on Monday… A group of MBBS students doing their house surgeonship in the Tiruchirappalli college went to the Lemur Beach at Rajakkamangalam and a huge wave dragged several of them into the sea.”

“Two women and 3 men drowned,” Kanniyakumari police superintendent E Sundaravathanam said.

To a question, the police official said the students were told by local people to avoid going to the beach in view of official warnings of sudden ‘swell waves.’

The students, however, managed to reach the beach by going through a coconut grove. They arrived in Kanniyakumari district on May 5 to take part in the wedding of a student’s brother, the official said adding the bodies were being sent to the families, adds PTI.

Three students, who were part of the group, are being treated at a government hospital.

“There were high tides, and a security staff posted there had warned them. As they were close to the water, enjoying the sea, a strong wave hit them and dragged seven people. Two were rescued soon, but five students lost their lives due to drowning. One of the rescued is in critical condition and admitted to the hospital. A case has been registered, and an investigation is ongoing,” an officer informed The Indian Express.

Meanwhile, expressing grief, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin conveyed his condolences and sympathies to the kin of the deceased and said necessary assistance would be provided to the bereaved families after getting the Election Commission’s permission.

Also Read:2nd year MBBS student drowns in Pavana Dam

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