epages News [Doctors]

IMA chapter to conduct exam

Jul 19, 2004: The Indian Medical Association(IMA) State Chapter is conducting the 51st All India National PCCP examination in November. Doctors who are IMA life members are eligible to apply. The last data for registration is August 15, 2004.

Further details on the same can be had from Mr Pulla Rao, Honorary Secretary, IMA over Cell phone (No 9848034519).

Torrent launches new heart drug

Sep 17, 2003: Ahmedabad: Pharmaceutical major Torrent Pharmaceutical has launched an anti-hypertensive drug Valzaar (Valsartan), the second product in its cardio vascular care segment during the current fiscal. An advanced angiotension receptor blocker (ARB), `Valzaar' acts by specifically blocking AT1 receptor and thus inhibits renin angiotension aldosterone system and is most selective AT1 blocker amongst the available group of ARBs, a company release said. The company had earlier launched Nebicard (Nebivolol) in the same segment nation-wide.

"The Rs 1,800-crore cardio-vascular market in India is growing at a rate of 13 %, with the anti-hypertensive drug market growing at 14 %", the release said adding, "Valzaar is expected to touch sales of Rs 5 crore before the end of this financial year.” Torrent claimed that Valsartan is all set to overtake Losartan as the leader in "angiotension receptor blocker" category and is being tested in many diverse cardio vascular conditions, co-existing with morbidities like diabetes mellitus.

Now, 'smart' dust to detect microbes

Aug 26, 2003: Washington: Tiny silicon crystals that can line themselves up according to order may be a first step to making ‘smart dust’ that could detect biological or chemical agents or disease-causing microbes, US researchers said. A team at the University of California, San Diego said they had created microscopic grains of sand that can orient them. This is a key development in what we hope will one day make possible the development of robots the size of a grain of sand. The vision is to build miniature devices that can move with ease through a tiny environment, such as a vein or an artery, to specific targets, then locate and detect chemical or biological compounds and report this information to the outside world. Such devices could be used to monitor the purity of drinking or sea-water, to detect hazardous chemical or biological agents in the air or even to locate and destroy tumour cells in the body.

New Natco anti-cancer drug hits market

Jun 17, 2003: Hyderabad: Within days of launching Zoledronic Acid, Hyderabad-based pharma major, Natco Pharma, has come out with a new anti-cancer drug, Letronat, useful for first-line treatment of advanced breast cancer. Letrozole, a non-sterioidal aromatase inhibitor, is effective for treatment of advanced breast cancer among post-menopausal women with hormone receptor positive or hormone receptor unknown, and locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer, as according to the company.

The company admitted that it's not the first to enter this segment, but pins its hopes on attracting volumes from the cheaper alternative, Tamoxifen, owing to Letrozole's superiority. "Letrozole is superior to Tamoxifen in TTP and rate of objective tumour response, and is the first-line therapy of advanced breast cancer," it said. Natco Pharma has aggressively priced its new drug at Rs 9.90 per tablet, which is in between the other brands of Letrozole that are priced at Rs 30 per tablet and the cheaper domestic brands of Tamoxifen, which are available for Rs 4 per tablet. The company claimed that breast-cancer patients would have to spend around Rs 300 only per month for using its new drug therapy, whereas they would have to shell out Rs 1,000 per month for using other costlier brands.

AstraZeneca to launch one more medicine this year

Jun 03, 2003: New Delhi: Close on the heels of introducing drugs for treatment of cancer and cardiovascular diseases, Anglo-Swedish pharmaceutical major AstraZeneca would launch one more medicine this year and two next year in India. The second largest drug maker of Europe introduced drugs for breast cancer 'Arimidex' and cardiovsacular ailments 'Seloken' in the domestic market. The company aims to provide effective medicines designed to fight cancer, cardiovascular and respiratory diseases among others, he said declining to give details of the drugs to be introduced. AstraZeneca India, in which the parent company owns 91% stake with the remaining being with the local shareholders, entered the country in 2001.

Andhra team discovers gene causing pancreatitis

Jun 02, 2003: Hyderabad: In a major breakthrough, a team of gastroenterologists and scientists from the Hyderabad-based Centre for Cellular & Molecular Biology (CCMB) have discovered a unique gene that causes tropical Calcific Pancreatitis among many people in India. The disease is especially common in the South. The team, comprising Dr. D. Nageshwar Reddy, Dr. G.V. Rao and Dr. P.V.J. Sriram, all from the Asian Institute of Gastroenterology, Hyderabad, and Dr. G.R. Chandak, Dr. Lalji Singh, MM. Idris, Seema Bhasker, and Radha Mani from CCMB has named the gene SPINK1. Disclosing this to the media, team members Dr. D. Nageshwar Reddy, Dr. G. V. Rao and Dr. G. R. Chandak said SPINK1 produces a specific protein called Pancreatic Secretory Trypsin Inhibitor (PSTI), which keeps the normally active Trypsinogen inside the pancreas and thus prevents the auto-digestion of the pancreas.

According to team members, patients suffering from Pancreatitis develop severe complications like pancreatic carcinoma, uncontrolled diabetes mellitus and kidney failure. For many decades, this disease was found mainly in Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and parts of Orissa. However, due to migration, it's now being reported across the country. Dr Chandak of CCMB said the discovery of SPINK1 gene has helped establish the genetic basis of the Tropical Calcific Pancreatitis. Further, the mutation of the gene could be used as a screening tool for developing preventive strategies.

Drug prices do not see the sweet journey up

May 19, 2003: New Delhi: Irrespective of price control or absence thereof, drug prices in the domestic market are not rising as inexorably as you may have thought. In most cases, prices of top-selling medicines are on the decline or showing no change, a study by the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) has revealed. The NPPA study, which relied for basic data on market research firm AC Nielsen ORG-Marg, clearly reflected an increasing and mostly voluntary trend among drug companies to cut or not increase their prices.

Of medicines that registered moving annual total (MAT) value of Rs 1 crore or above in the year 2002, there was no change in prices of 1,385 medicines on a year-on-year basis, while that of 646 medicines (17%) remained the same. This means that there had been no increase in the prices of 53% of these medicines despite passing of one year. And among the 47% of such medicines that registered an increase in price, the increase was just up to 5% in case of 663 medicines (17.4% of the total) and 5-10% in case of 439 medicines (11.52% of the total).

Nicholas Piramal looks at 18-20% growth in sales

Apr 30, 2003: Nicholas Piramal India (NPIL) has given a guidance of 18-20% topline growth and a higher bottomline growth for 2003-04. The management gave this guidance during the analyst meet held after announcing results for 2002-03. The guidance factors an organic growth of 10-12% in domestic formulations, which is relatively high considering the management expectation of a 6% growth in the formulations market in 2003-04.

Sales growth will be boosted by the merger of Global Bulk Drugs and Fine Chemicals (GBDFC), which was merged with NPIL. It’s strong marketing network with a wider reach has contributed to formulations’ sales growth. The company took price hikes for brands like Gardenal (anti-epileptic), Stemetil (anti-emetic), Sorbitrate (anti-anginal) and Valium (tranquiliser). Operating margins improved due to product price hikes and a decline in products under price control to 11% of sales from 19% last year. Besides formulations, NPIL will now have an additional business of bulk exports after the merger of GBDFC.

Apollo bets big on hospital consultancy, management

Apr 22, 2003: Chennai: For corporate healthcare major Apollo Hospitals, the pulse is on projects management. The group is steadily spreading its wings across projects where it is not a stakeholder. The focus is on project consultancy and management of a hospital, promoted by other parties. Apollo Hospitals plays the lead role right from the concept to commissioning stage. In most cases, these hospitals also carry the Apollo brandname.

At present, Apollo has about 13 owned hospitals and 22 projects under its wing. About 30 more managed projects are under construction. In addition, the group is in the process of inking over half a dozen projects. It is also actively looking at facilities owned by corporates who are in the process of hiving off their non-core activities. Apollo is being approached by Tisco, Coal India, SAIL, Tata Tea and South Eastern Coalfields for managing their facilities.

SARS virus could be China's bio-weapons

Apr 12, 2003: Moscow: A top Russian medical expert did not rule out that the deadly virus, which causes a typical pneumonia or severe acute respiratory syndrome could be a biological weapon developed by China. According to the member of Russian Medical Sciences Academy, Prof. Sergei Kolesnikov, SARS virus is a hybrid of two viruses, which can only be produced in laboratory conditions.

Speaking at a conference in Siberian city of Irkutsk pro-Kolesnikov, also a member of Russian Duma noted that SARS outbreak took place in two southern districts of China and for a long time Chinese authorities kept mum on it. Kolesnikov also said the severe toxic nature and the speed with which SARS is spreading, also permits to draw inference that it is a man-made biological weapon.

Single VAT necessary for uniform MRP on drugs

Apr 09, 2003: New Delhi: Unless all state governments introduce a single rate of value-added tax (VAT) on medicines, the Centre’s plan to introduce MRP inclusive of local taxes for this essential commodity to replace the current system, i.e., MRP with local taxes extra, would remain on hold. Given the fact that some states are unwilling to put VAT in place even by June 1, the government is looking at alternative ways to end the current situation of different prices for the same medicine in the same town due to variant incidence of local tax incurred at various points. The main hurdle that has so far scuttled implementation of MRP inclusive of local taxes was the legal invalidity of the proposal that had been cited by the law ministry. The finance ministry has been withholding its nod for the cabinet note on MRP, inclusive of local taxes, which the DC&P had circulated earlier. The finance ministry’s view apparently was to wait till the introduction of VAT, which would make the system feasible.

Mumbai reports first suspected case of SARS

Apr 08, 2003: Mumbai: Health authorities in Mumbai reported the first suspected case of the deadly SARS virus in the country, saying a US citizen had taken ill after travelling to the city from China, where the disease originated. She is suspected as suffering from pneumonia. Symptoms of the pneumonia-like SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) include fever, coughing and breathing difficulties. The mortality rate is about three to four %, roughly the same as measles.

India is on high alert to prevent entry of the virus that has swept large parts of Asia and killed 100 people worldwide and infected more than 2,600. Airport authorities have been screening passengers coming into the country and hospitals have been identified in major cities where travellers showing symptoms of the flu-like disease will be kept under observation.

Pharma sales dip first time in 2 years

Mar 27, 2003: All's not well with the pharma sector. After two years of growth, the Pharma industry has hit a bad patch in February 2003 with a negative growth of 1.4%. The latest retail audit report of AC Nielson ORG-Marg says the industry recorded a turnover of Rs 1,367 crore in February 2003 (Rs 1,476 crore in January '03). Both Indian majors and multinationals have been hit. Except Abbott, all other companies in the top ten list recorded poor growth. Abbott has registered a (relatively) higher growth of 11.3%. The growth pack includes Cipla(4.6%), Nicholas (1.2%), Sun Pharma (5.7%), Dr Reddy's (1.5%) and Zydus Cadila (1.4%). Even companies not in the top ten have hardly anything to cheer about. Among the 300 companies listed in ORG, the top 20 control almost 50% of the market.

Ranbaxy gets USFDA nod to sell Augmentin clones

Mar 21, 2003: New Delhi: Ranbaxy Laboratories was granted approval by the US Food and Drug Administration to market Amoxicillin and Clavulanate Potassium for oral suspension USP, 200 mg/28.5 mg (base)/5 ml and 400 mg/57 mg (base)/5 ml. Amoxicillin and Clavulanate Potassium for oral suspension, is indicated for the treatment of infections caused by susceptible strains of the designated organisms in the conditions like lower respiratory tract infections, otitis media, sinusitis, skin and skin structure infections, and urinary tract infections.

Sales and marketing for Ranbaxy’s Augmentin product will be supported by the Ranbaxy Sales and Marketing Group and the product will be made available to all dispensing outlets located throughout the US including chain pharmacies, wholesalers, and generic distributors as soon as inventories are achieved to support market requirements.

Serum Institute plans new launches

Mar 18, 2003: Mumbai: The Pune-based Serum Institute of India has lined up a clutch of new product launches for this year, including vaccines and a plant-based drug for the BPH. It is also expected to announce an association with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation for developing an AIDS vaccine.

The company recently launched a BCG vaccine, and plans to introduce a rabies vaccine derived from human cells in the country in the second half of the year. The rabies market, valued at around Rs 100 crore, is dominated by German firm Chiron Vaccines’ Rabipur. The companies plans were disclosed at the news conference called to announce the launch of Pyginal, a plant-derived medicine for benign prostate hypertrophy (BPH). BPH is a prostate gland problem that occurs in older men.

Ranbaxy to offer second generic drug in the US

Mar 13, 2003: New Delhi: Even as it’s latest offering, Augmentin, is yet to pick up momentum in the US, Ranbaxy is ready with its second branded generic product, the anti-acne, Isotretinoin. The launch is slated for next week. Ranbaxy’s Isotretinoin drug branded as ‘Sotret’ will be marketed in US by Ranbaxy Brand Products Division, the newly created division of Ranbaxy Pharmaceuticals, US.

The division has been set up to exclusively market company-owned branded products in the US. Sotret will be Ranbaxy’s second product to be marketed by this division, the first being Proctosol. Sotret will be among the 10-12 branded generic products Ranbaxy plans to launch in the US this year. The company has set a target of filing 15-20 patent applications in the US every year.

Budget to boost R&D in pharma and biotech

Mar 03, 2003: New Delhi: Giving a major boost to drugs, and the pharmaceutical sector, Finance Minister Jaswant Singh extended all benefits available to healthcare paving the way for the country becoming a hub for research and clinical trials. Announcing a large number of measures, Singh extended all benefits available to healthcare sector to pharmaceutical industry besides putting it on par with information technology regarding income tax benefits. He proposed complete exemption from customs and excise on all drugs and materials imported or produced domestically for use in clinical trials. The benefit of full customs duty exemption for specified equipment will also be available for their manufacturing activity to the extent of 25% of previous year's exports turnover.

Kopran launches two cardiac drugs

Feb 27, 2003: Indian drugmaker Kopran has launched two cardiovascular drugs, Caditone and Zeter. Caditone is used to treat hypertension and congestive cardiac failure drug carvedilol, while Zeter treats clotbuster clopidogrel. The two brands have been launched at 25% and 50% discounts respectively to competitor’s products.

Orchid drug approved by USFDA

Feb 25, 2003: Chennai: Chennai-based Orchid Chemicals and Pharmaceutical’s flagship product, Cephhalexin, had been formally approved by the US Food and Drugs Adminstration (USFDA). The product had also been granted the Certificate of Stability (CoS) by the European Directorate for the Quality of medicines.

"Both these developments will definitely enable a stronger entry into the US and European markets", K Raghavendra Rao, managing director of the company said, adding that the company proposed to take more of its products through FDA approval this year.

Record high price for new Roche AIDS drug

Feb 24, 2003: London: Switzerland's Roche Holding AG priced its new HIV drug Fuzeon at a record-breaking 18,980 euros ($20,570) a year, fuelling controversy about the cost of AIDS treatments. Fuzeon, also known as T-20, is the first in a new class of drugs known as fusion inhibitors designed for people resistant to other AIDS medicines. Unlike existing drugs that work inside the cell, it blocks HIV from entering healthy human immune cells.

The high cost, more than any other AIDS drug on the market had reflected the complexity of manufacturing the product, involving more than 100 production steps. This drug is 10 times more complex to manufacture than the next most complex class of drug in the HIV arena, which is the protease inhibitors.

 
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