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Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC), Pharma standard body of India, has issued an alert for patients and doctors against a commonly-used painkiller, Meftal. As per a preliminary analysis conducted by the Pharmacovigilance Programme of India (PvPI), this Drug Rash with Eosinophilia and Systemic symptoms (DRESS) syndrome. Meftal spas is a readily available painkiller medicine available at any Indian pharmacy.  The medicine is taken to treat rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, dysmenorrhea, mild to moderate pain, inflammation, fever and dental pain.  Because of its easy availability, people pop this pill very often especially when women are on their periods.  But, in recenbt news, the Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC) has issued a nation-wide drug safety alert against its use.  Reports say that, this particular medicine can cause certain adverse effects on people's health which can also impact their internal organs. The alert that was issued by the government st...

Mukherjee succeeds Dr Ram Sewak Sharma stepped down earlier this year from his position after completing his tenure on January 31, 2023. The announcement was made on Wednesday, 13 December 2023 marking the beginning of a new era for the apex body responsible for overseeing the implementation of the government’s flagship health initiatives. The National Health Authority (NHA) on Wednesday announced the appointment of Deepti Gaur Mukherjee, 1993 batch IAS officer, MP cadre as its CEO. The apex body took to Twitter to announce the appointment of the new CEO. “We are delighted to extend the warmest welcome to Smt. Deepti Gaur Mukherjee, 1993 batch IAS officer, MP cadre as CEO, NHA. With her distinguished expertise, strategic acumen & visionary leadership, NHA will embark on a journey marked by unprecedented success & milestones,” NHA tweeted. Mukherjee succeeds Dr Ram Sewak Sharma stepped down earlier this year from his position after completing his tenure on January 31, 2023. Dr. ...

Haemophilia and Health Collective of North Introduces New Treatment Guidelines For Rare Blood Disorder In India During a press briefing today, the doctors explained that people with severe haemophilia bleed frequently and often spontaneously, including repeated bleeds into joints and muscles. In addition to disease severity, the frequency of bleeding also varies by bleed site.  Depending on the area affected, these bleeds can be debilitating or even life-threatening Repeated bleeding into joints can cause hemophilic arthropathy, which can result in physical disability.  As a result, most of the Haemophilia patients are physically challenged and need joint replacements at an early age. Moreover, patients with haemophilia experience frequent absenteeism from school and work, as physical activity is limited due to the extreme pain and discomfort associated with the haemorrhagic episode. “Haemophilia is an X chromosome linked congenital bleeding disorder that slows the blood clott...

Urgent Action Needed To Protect Children And Prevent The Uptake of e-Cigarettes: WHO Urgent action is needed to control e-cigarettes to protect children, as well as non-smokers and minimize health harms to the population.  E-cigarettes as consumer products are not shown to be effective for quitting tobacco use at the population level.  Instead, alarming evidence has emerged on adverse population health effects. E-cigarettes have been allowed on the open market and aggressively marketed to young people.  Thirty-four countries ban the sale of e-cigarettes, 88 countries have no minimum age at which e-cigarettes can be bought and 74 countries have no regulations in place for these harmful products. “Kids are being recruited and trapped at an early age to use e-cigarettes and may get hooked to nicotine," said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General.  "I urge countries to implement strict measures to prevent uptake to protect their citizens, especially their ch...

The Centre already implements a scheme for the promotion of menstrual hygiene among girls in the 10-19 age group, she told the House. The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has formulated a draft menstrual hygiene policy in consultation with stakeholders, Union Women and Child Development Minister Smriti Irani informed the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday. The Centre already implements a scheme for the promotion of menstrual hygiene among girls in the 10-19 age group, she told the House. The scheme is supported by the National Health Mission through the State Programme Implementation Plan route, based on the proposals received from the states or Union Territories.  One of the major objectives of the scheme is to increase awareness on menstrual hygiene, Irani said. She also highlighted the other initiatives taken by the various ministries for the promotion of menstrual hygiene. Under the Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao component of Mission Shakti -- an umbrella scheme for safety, security...

  Government has provided optical fibre connection in over two lakh Gram Panchayats in the country under Bharat Net.  Replying to supplementaries during the Question Hour in the Lok Sabha today, Electronic and IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said, the optical fibre is being laid through Universal Service Obligation Fund.  He said, government is working to provide 4G services in rural areas which are yet to get this service.  Mr Vaishnaw said, 4G towers have been sanctioned for 40 thousand villages which are not connected with 4G till now.