Over 20,000 New Doctors added to Public Health System

New Delhi: In a major boost for the health sector, the report card for the first year of UPA-2 stated that over 20,000 doctors and paramedical personnel have been added to the public health system in the country. 

The report, released by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Tuesday, informs that during the year 2009-10 more than 36,000 village and health sanitation committees were set up, over 1,300 Rogi Kalyan Samitis were formed and over 53,000 social health activists were selected and trained. 

In an effort towards improving health care facilities for the common people, the government has also constructed 4,984 health sub-centre buildings, 254 primary health centres and 102 community health centres. 

The report added that 3,246 health sub-centre buildings, 732 primary health centres, 264 community health centres and 28 district hospital buildings were upgraded or renovated. 

The report also acknowledged a reduction in mortality due to malaria, kala-azar and dengue. 

The government also launched a scheme for mainstreaming Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy at a cost of Rs 575 crores.

Source: Deccan Chronicle

All Vaccines to come under DPCO- Draft Vaccine Policy India

The government of India has drafted a comprehensive national vaccine policy that proposes to bring all types of vaccines under the Drugs Price Control Order (DPCO) and targets at enabling rational and evidence-based decisions for the development, entry, production, stable supply, pricing, promotion and use of appropriate vaccines on scientific grounds.

According to the draft national vaccine policy, the public sector would be the sole manufacturer of key vaccines so that stable and affordable supply of vaccines for the national immunization programme can be ensured. This will also be helpful in managing national health security and biosecurity concerns. Therefore, all essential vaccines covered under UIP (TT, DT, DTP, BCG, polio, measles) would continue to be produced by....read more

Pharmacovigilence programme to start on July 1 with 10 medical colleges in 1st phase

The much awaited national pharmacovigilance programme of India is expected to begin in 10 medical colleges across the country from July 1 this year. The first phase of the programme will be launched in 10 of the 300 medical colleges in the country and the DCGI plans to further extend it to 40 other colleges by next year and 60 the next. DCGI said that by 2014, all the 300 medical colleges will be participating in the national pharmacovigilence programme.

Know what is Pharmacovigilance?

The programme will be run in three units that comprises of the medical colleges, other institutes and CDSCO. AIIMS will act as the main centre for the national pharmacovigilence programme, whereas the CDSCO will be providing funds, manpower, training etc to the AIIMS and other institutes involved in this programme.

The national level pharmacovigilence programme will have a two pronged approach and will be targeted for five years initially. In the budgetary provisions the pharmacovigilence programme was granted with Rs 85 lakh against the expectation of Rs 1.5 crore.

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Treating Yeast Infections in Infants

Yeast infection in infants is a tricky condition and parents should definitely pay attention towards treating yeast infection in infants as soon as they find it out. Parents can easily recognize yeast infections through its symptoms like oral thrush (white patches in the mouth), painful, bumpy, red diaper rashes among others. First of all, it is very important to avoid the causes of yeast infection in infants. To do so, one must know what are the causes of yeast infection in children?

Causes of Infections in Infants

There are varied situations and factors that can cause your infant to catch yeast infection.

• Yeast infection through infected mother at the time of delivery.
• Antibiotics Intake
• Not keeping the vaginal area of female infants clean.
• Overused unchanged diaper.
• Inappropriate bathing of child with harsh soaps.

Internal Yeast Infections in Infants

Sometimes parents use OTC drugs to treat yeast infections in their infants. This generally treats the symptoms of yeast infections. However, sometimes internal yeast infection remains there and causes frequent recurrence of infections. Internal yeast infections can result into whitish stools, diarrhea, etc. Infact, yeast is always present along with beneficial bacteria in the intestinal tract. Both of them keep each other in balance. Problem begins when yeast overgrows and results into yeast infection. Treating the symptoms will grant temporary relief and it is essential to treat the underlying imbalance between the intestinal yeast and bacteria in order to prevent recurring infection. Anti fungal drugs- pills, creams, suppositories, topical sprays, and oral liquid solutions can cure yeast infections in adults but treating yeast infection in infants need much more than that.

How to Treat Yeast Infections in Infants

Take following steps to treat yeast infections in infant.

• Always keep the baby clean. Change wet and dirty diapers immediately as moist environment leads to growth of yeast.
• Do not use baby wipes on a yeast diaper rash- they feed the yeast. Instead rinse the diaper area with 1 tbsp white vinegar added to a cup of water.
• For treating yeast diaper rash, get an over-the-counter anti-fungal cream that contains clotrimazole or miconazole or get some anti fungal drug prescribed by a paediatrician.
• If you see thrush in your baby's mouth, go for oral medication. The anti fungal Nystatin liquid is generally prescribed to treat thrush. However, before administering any medicine, consult your doctor.
• Do not give too much sugar and refined carbohydrate if your baby has started taking solid food because they feed yeast.
• Give the baby meats, vegetables, unsweetened fruits and plain, unsweetened yogurt.
• If yours is a breast feeding baby, treatment for yeast infection should be given to both- mother and child- even if mother has no symptoms.
• Continue treating yeast infection in your infant by taking all the above precautions for 2 weeks even after symptoms are gone so that there is no chance of getting yeast infection again.

Global Pharmaceutical Biotech Market Report

The pharmaceutical biotechnology market comprises development, manufacturing and marketing of products manufactured on the basis of advanced biotechnology research. Pharmaceutical biotechnology industry focuses on biotech concepts of recombinant proteins, monoclonal antibodies, gene therapy and transgenic organism among others.

In 2008, the global biotech market grew by 8.8% and had a market value of $216.3 billion. The medical/healthcare was the most lucrative segment for the global pharmaceutical biotechnology market in 2008 that generated 69% of the biotech market´s overall revenues. Americas account for 57.9% of the total biotech market´s revenue and thus leads the global biotechnology market. As far as future predictions for biotech market are concerned, it is forecast to reach a value of $305.7 billion in 2013, an increase of 41.3% since 2008.

Read the Pharmaceutical Biotechnology Industry Report 2009-2010

Indian Pharmaceuticals Industry 2010 Report

According to a special report, published by Fitch Ratings, the Indian Pharmaceutical Sector will remain stable in 2010, with demand benefiting from rising global acceptance of generic pharmaceuticals. The agency also expects the credit profiles of some of its rated entities to remain stable - a result of limited capex spends and subsequent improvement in cash flows.

The global pharmaceutical industry is facing a period of significant drug patent expiries, which expands the addressable market for generics companies. Regulatory steps taken by developed countries towards curtailing growing health care budgets can also boost the demand for generics. The agency expects the global acceptance of generics along with outsourcing of manufacturing by global pharmaceutical companies to low cost locations will benefit the export oriented Indian pharmaceutical companies. Steady demand growth will continue to give advantage to the domestic pharmaceutical companies of India. However, Fitch Ratings stated that pricing pressures because of greater-than-expected increase in competition could moderate the anticipated profitability improvements. This would remain a key risk factor for future margins. Regulatory issues can also have an impact, mainly regarding approvals for new products and any rigidity in quality controls.

The report further states that a majority of the entities within its rated national pharmaceutical portfolio are not likely to see any large future capacity expansions. They will focus on consolidating their recently expanded capex in the next couple of years. Nonetheless Fitch views any large debt-led capex programme with concern.

With the global liquidity scenario improving in 2010, Indian pharmaceutical exporters should see shorter cash cycles for their working capital, versus the increase in working capital cycles during the tight liquidity situation in 2008-H109. Liquidity is thus expected to generally remain comfortable. The improved liquidity scenario coupled with improved cash flows in the near term should partly offset the refinancing risks faced from foreign currency convertible bonds outstanding on the books of many Indian pharmaceutical companies.

News Source- Press release from Fitch Ratings based on their special report, 'Indian Pharma Outlook 2010'

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Pharmaceutical Industry Trends

As in any other business, pharmaceutical industry too needs to know the key market forecasts & growth opportunities in the near future. Many researches are conducted for the purpose of presenting a detailed trend analysis of the global pharmaceutical market almost every year. These reports help pharmaceutical companies in major decision making issues. The global pharmaceutical market is forecast to grow exceeding $825 billion in 2010, an equivalent CAGR of about 6%. The global pharmaceutical market sales is expected to grow at a 4 - 7% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) and its value is expected to expand to $975+ billion by 2013. Different regions of the world will influence the pharmaceutical industry trends in different ways. Read Pharmaceutical Market Trends 2010 for detailed report on region specific and drugs specific growth of pharma market.