World Malaria Day: Govt, Sun Pharma to join hands to eradicate disease by 2030

On World Malaria Day, which is observed on April 25, India's health ministry said that it would partner with the country's largest drug company, Sun Pharmaceuticals, under the Private Public Partnership (PPP) agreement to eliminate the disease from India by 2030.

Under the PPP agreement, the government has sought financial assistance and medicines from Sun Pharma to boost its National Framework for Malaria Elimination (NFME).

The partnership would oversee the joint implementation of some of the government's recommendations over the next five years, the Economic Times quoted sources as saying. The Sun Pharma has declined to comment on the amount it would contribute under the agreement.

The agreement would be signed by the Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR) and Sun Pharma Monday.

Union Health Minister JP Nadda tweeted that the agreement was a big step towards research and innovation in the health sector.

"On World Malaria Day, we renew commitment to "Ending Malaria for Good" and realizing the goal of elimination of Malaria from India. It is an occasion for strengthening partnerships & identifying new partners to march towards the goal of Malaria elimination," Nadda tweeted.

The NFME was launched by the health ministry on Feb. 11, 2016, with a vision to eliminate malaria in a phase-wise manner from the country with a focus on the high endemic areas.

However, the government initiative has been suffering from funds paucity due to which it has sought the help of major drug companies, according to the Hindustan Times.

"Government currently spends mere Rs 500 crore annually for anti-malaria initiatives whereas the budget should be over Rs 5,000 crore. Hence, we can undertake domestic fund raising through private sector involvement only," a health ministry official was quoted as saying by the Hindustan Times as saying.

According to the government estimates, India accounts for 70 percent of the total malaria cases reported in the South East Asia, whereas 91 percent of its population runs the risk of malaria.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the hilly regions of north and Northeast India report 80 percent of the malaria cases in the country.

The total economic burden due to malaria in India is $1.94 billion, according to a study conducted by of the Institute of Economic Growth in 2014.

A recent study published in medical journal the Lancet said that the world could be malaria-free by 2030 and that most of the countries are on the right track to eliminate malaria. The single greatest threat to achieving a malaria-free world, according to the study, is a reduction in funding or political support before reaching the target, it said.

SOURCE: http://www.ibtimes.co.in/world-malaria-day-govt-sun-pharma-join-hands-eradicate-disease-by-2030-676077

World Malaria Day is observed on April 25

On World Malaria Day, the global efforts to fight and control malaria and the implemented actions to combat the disease are highlighted. The theme for 2016 is "End Malaria for good".

AT A GLANCE

WHO defines Malaria as a life-threatening disease caused by parasites that are transmitted to people through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes.

The theme reflects the vision of a malaria-free world set out in the Global Technical Strategy for Malaria 2016-2030 by the World Health Assembly, which aims to dramatically lower the global malaria burden over the next 15 years. The strategy sets the target of reducing global malaria incidence and mortality rates by at least 90% by 2030.

According to WHO’s World Malaria Report 2015, since 2000, there has been a significant decline in malaria cases and deaths globally. Currently, 3.2 billion people worldwide are at risk of malaria. According to the World Malaria Report 2014, 22% of India’s population live in high transmission areas, 67% live in low transmission areas and 11% live in malaria-free areas.

The spread of Malaria knows NO BORDERS. More must be done to #EndMalaria for good! @nisheFR illustrate this hopepic.twitter.com/uA1pMynQZX

— IOM (@IOM_news) April 24, 2016

Knowledge is key to ending Malaria. Here are a few facts about the disease:

1. Malaria is especially dangerous for pregnant women as the parasite can pass into the mother’s womb and infect the foetus as well.

2. According to WHO, almost half of the world's population is at the risk of the disease.

3. Around 15 countries account for 78% of the deaths globally.These countries are mainly in sub-Saharan Africa.

4. Malaria is preventable and curable and increased efforts are being made to bring its verge.

5. WHO reports that between 2000 to 2015, malaria incidence among populations at risk fell by 37% globally while death rates fell by 60%.

SOURCE: http://www.dnaindia.com/health/report-world-malaria-day-who-s-theme-end-malaria-for-good-2204186

Pharma unit kept FDA in dark on drug stock

Kolhapur: Officers probing the over 1,800-kg ephedrine haul were in for a shock to find that 3,000 kg of the powerful psychostimulant were moved out of the Avon Lifesciences' Chincholi MIDC unit in Solapur in the past six-eight months.

The officers, who raided the unit some four days ago, were also surprised to learn that ephedrine and pseudoephedrine were stocked in a shed-like godown and were lying unattended to. To make matter worse, the manufacturing unit of the company had not disclosed the stock of drugs to the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) authorities, which is mandatory.

Thane police on Saturday announced seizure of 18,627 kg of ephedrine, a medicine often abused to manufacture party drug Crystal Meth, worth over Rs 2,000 crore. It was found the drugs were transported to Thane from Solapur, where a gang was active in stealing the drugs.....
SOURCE: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolhapur/Pharma-unit-kept-FDA-in-dark-on-drug-stock/articleshow/51869186.cms

These are the 50 most dangerous drugs on the market

While overdose deaths from prescription opioids have nearly quadrupled since 1999, some of the most dangerous drugs don’t require a prescription.

Using data from the Food and Drug Administration for 2004 through 2015, HealthGrove looked at the 150 drugs that are involved in the highest number of adverse reactions and ranked them by the percent of these reactions classified as serious. For many of these reactions, the FDA database uses medical terminology, such as pyrexia and dyspnoea for fever and labored breathing, respectively.

The top 50 drugs with the most serious adverse reactions are considered the most dangerous. Though most on the list require a prescription and treat serious diseases, those like Advil andacetaminophen don’t.

It’s important to note that these medicines may not be inherently dangerous, but improper dosage, combining medicines or taking them with substances like alcohol can dramatically increase risk.

One-third of Americans say they “combine medications when treating multiple symptoms,” according to the National Council on Patient Information, cited in a New York Times report on over-the-counter medicines. The same source also claims that only one in ten people read the labels entirely and one in five admits to using medication more than the label indicates. This creates an environment primed for unintended drug interactions and overdoses.

Additionally, people over 65 years old — those most likely to take multiple drugs for chronic health issues — account for approximately 40 percent of over-the-counter drug usage. This puts this group at greater risk for trouble with these drugs by way of adverse side effects and interactions.

Despite the potential for negative consequences of drug use and misuse, modern pharmaceuticals have greatly contributed to the health and longevity of people around the world. Though many are regarded as safe, as more drugs become available over the counter and prescriptions of others rise, consumer awareness becomes increasingly important.

Note: In the case of ties, the drug with the highest number of total reported reactions is ranked higher.

#50. Losartan

Percent of Reactions That Were Serious: 70%
Number of Serious Reactions: 24,242
Total Number of Reported Reactions: 34,571
Therapeutic Class: Cardiovascular Agent
Brand Names: Cozaar

#49. Alprazolam

Percent of Reactions That Were Serious: 70%
Number of Serious Reactions: 51,950
Total Number of Reported Reactions: 73,606
Therapeutic Class: Antianxiety
Brand Names: Gabazolamine-0.5, Niravam, Xanax, Xanax Xr, Alti-Alprazolam

#48. Tramadol

Percent of Reactions That Were Serious: 71%
Number of Serious Reactions: 26,278
Total Number of Reported Reactions: 36,867
Therapeutic Class: Analgesic
Brand Names: Conzip, Fusepaq Synapryn, Rybix Odt, Ryzolt, Ultram, Ultram Er

#47. Venlafaxine

Percent of Reactions That Were Serious: 71%
Number of Serious Reactions: 33,623
Total Number of Reported Reactions: 47,132
Therapeutic Class: Antidepressant
Brand Names: Effexor, Effexor-Xr

#46. Sertraline

Percent of Reactions That Were Serious: 71%
Number of Serious Reactions: 45,622
Total Number of Reported Reactions: 64,182
Therapeutic Class: Antidepressant
Brand Names: Zoloft

#45. Metoprolol

Percent of Reactions That Were Serious: 71%
Number of Serious Reactions: 71,979
Total Number of Reported Reactions: 100,829
Therapeutic Class: Cardiovascular Agent
Brand Names: Lopressor, Toprol Xl

#44. Aspirin

Percent of Reactions That Were Serious: 71%

Number of Serious Reactions: 134,402
Total Number of Reported Reactions: 187,836
Therapeutic Class: Analgesic
Brand Names: Ascriptin, Aspergum, Aspirtab, Bayer, Easprin, Ecotrin, Ecpirin, Entercote, Genacote, Halfprin, Ninoprin, Norwich Aspirin

#43. Atenolol

Percent of Reactions That Were Serious: 72%
Number of Serious Reactions: 45,374
Total Number of Reported Reactions: 62,930
Therapeutic Class: Cardiovascular Agent
Brand Names: Tenormin

#42. Prednisone

Percent of Reactions That Were Serious: 72%
Number of Serious Reactions: 60,187
Total Number of Reported Reactions: 83,321
Therapeutic Class: Endocrine-Metabolic Agent
Brand Names: Deltasone, Prednicot, Prednisone Intensol, Rayos, Sterapred, Sterapred Ds

#41. Fluoxetine

Percent of Reactions That Were Serious: 73%
Number of Serious Reactions: 36,722
Total Number of Reported Reactions: 50,213
Therapeutic Class: Antidepressant
Brand Names: Prozac, Prozac Weekly, Rapiflux, Sarafem, Selfemra, Phl-Fluoxetine

#40. Fentanyl

Percent of Reactions That Were Serious: 74%
Number of Serious Reactions: 29,996
Total Number of Reported Reactions: 40,444
Therapeutic Class: Analgesic
Brand Names: Abstral, Actiq, Fentora, Onsolis, Subsys

#39. Acetaminophen

Percent of Reactions That Were Serious: 74%
Number of Serious Reactions: 119,389
Total Number of Reported Reactions: 160,481
Therapeutic Class: Analgesic
Brand Names: Ofirmev

#38. Amlodipine

Percent of Reactions That Were Serious: 75%
Number of Serious Reactions: 95,694
Total Number of Reported Reactions: 126,505
Therapeutic Class: Cardiovascular Agent
Brand Names: Norvasc

#37. Cyclosporine

Percent of Reactions That Were Serious: 76%
Number of Serious Reactions: 24,422
Total Number of Reported Reactions: 31,881
Therapeutic Class: Immune Suppressant
Brand Names: Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune, Apo-Cyclosporine

#36. Risperidone

Percent of Reactions That Were Serious: 76%

Number of Serious Reactions: 34,023
Total Number of Reported Reactions: 44,415
Therapeutic Class: Antipsychotic
Brand Names: Risperdal, Risperdal M-Tab, Risperidone M-Tab

#35. Warfarin

Percent of Reactions That Were Serious: 76%
Number of Serious Reactions: 79,961
Total Number of Reported Reactions: 104,230
Therapeutic Class: Anticoagulant
Brand Names: Coumadin, Jantoven

#34. Lorazepam

Percent of Reactions That Were Serious: 77%
Number of Serious Reactions: 42,737
Total Number of Reported Reactions: 54,873
Therapeutic Class: Antianxiety
Brand Names: Ativan, Lorazepam Intensol

#33. Valsartan

Percent of Reactions That Were Serious: 77%
Number of Serious Reactions: 46,987
Total Number of Reported Reactions: 60,639
Therapeutic Class: Cardiovascular Agent
Brand Names: Diovan

#32. Pantoprazole

Percent of Reactions That Were Serious: 77%
Number of Serious Reactions: 48,736
Total Number of Reported Reactions: 62,968
Therapeutic Class: Gastric Acid Secretion Inhibitor
Brand Names: Protonix, Protonix Iv

#31. Oxycodone

Percent of Reactions That Were Serious: 77%
Number of Serious Reactions: 56,165
Total Number of Reported Reactions: 72,020
Therapeutic Class: Analgesic
Brand Names: Dazidox, Eth-Oxydose, Oxaydo, Oxycontin, Oxycontin Cr, Oxydose, Oxyfast, Oxy Ir, Roxicodone, Roxicodone Intensol, Apo-Oxycodone Cr, Co Oxycodone Cr, Oxycodone, Oxy-Ir, Oxyneo, Pms-Oxycodone

#30. Drospirenone And Ethinyl Estradiol

Percent of Reactions That Were Serious: 78%
Number of Serious Reactions: 31,921
Total Number of Reported Reactions: 40,426
Therapeutic Class: Monophasic Contraceptive Combination
Brand Names: Gianvi, Loryna, Nikki, Ocella, Syeda, Vestura, Yasmin, Yaz, Yaz 28, Zarah

#29. Citalopram

Percent of Reactions That Were Serious: 78%
Number of Serious Reactions: 42,147
Total Number of Reported Reactions: 53,752
Therapeutic Class: Antidepressant
Brand Names: Celexa

#28. Diclofenac

Percent of Reactions That Were Serious: 79%
Number of Serious Reactions: 27,921
Total Number of Reported Reactions: 35,286
Therapeutic Class: Central Nervous System Agent
Brand Names: Cambia, Cataflam, Voltaren, Voltaren-Xr, Zipsor, Zorvolex

#27. Conjugated Estrogens

Percent of Reactions That Were Serious: 79%
Number of Serious Reactions: 40,659
Total Number of Reported Reactions: 51,272
Therapeutic Class: Female Reproductive Agent
Brand Names: Premarin, Premarin Vaginal

#26. Olanzapine

Percent of Reactions That Were Serious: 80%
Number of Serious Reactions: 32,222
Total Number of Reported Reactions: 39,957
Therapeutic Class: Antipsychotic
Brand Names: Zyprexa, Zyprexa Zydis

#25. Diazepam

Percent of Reactions That Were Serious: 81%
Number of Serious Reactions: 31,794
Total Number of Reported Reactions: 38,978
Therapeutic Class: Anticonvulsant
Brand Names: Diastat, Diastat Pediatric

#24. Rivaroxaban

Percent of Reactions That Were Serious: 81%
Number of Serious Reactions: 33,317
Total Number of Reported Reactions: 41,114
Therapeutic Class: Anticoagulant
Brand Names: Xarelto

#23. Alendronate

Percent of Reactions That Were Serious: 82%
Number of Serious Reactions: 39,257
Total Number of Reported Reactions: 47,769
Therapeutic Class: Calcium Regulator
Brand Names: Fosamax

#22. Clopidogrel

Percent of Reactions That Were Serious: 82%
Number of Serious Reactions: 70,205
Total Number of Reported Reactions: 85,447
Therapeutic Class: Platelet Aggregation Inhibitor
Brand Names: Plavix

#21. Furosemide

Percent of Reactions That Were Serious: 82%
Number of Serious Reactions: 102,865
Total Number of Reported Reactions: 124,020
Therapeutic Class: Cardiovascular Agent
Brand Names: Furocot, Lasix

#20. Digoxin

Percent of Reactions That Were Serious: 83%
Number of Serious Reactions: 30,355
Total Number of Reported Reactions: 36,506
Therapeutic Class: Cardiovascular Agent
Brand Names: Digitek, Digox, Lanoxicaps, Lanoxin, Lanoxin Pediatric, Digitaline Nativelle

#19. Spironolactone

Percent of Reactions That Were Serious: 84%
Number of Serious Reactions: 28,871
Total Number of Reported Reactions: 34,336
Therapeutic Class: Cardiovascular Agent
Brand Names: Aldactone

#18. Allopurinol

 

Percent of Reactions That Were Serious: 84%
Number of Serious Reactions: 30,921
Total Number of Reported Reactions: 36,755
Therapeutic Class: Antigout
Brand Names: Aloprim

#17. Morphine

Percent of Reactions That Were Serious: 84%
Number of Serious Reactions: 37,986
Total Number of Reported Reactions: 44,906
Therapeutic Class: Analgesic
Brand Names: Avinza, Kadian, Kadian Er, Morphabond, Ms Contin, Msir, Oramorph Sr, Roxanol, Roxanol-T

#16. Ondansetron

Percent of Reactions That Were Serious: 85%
Number of Serious Reactions: 31,005
Total Number of Reported Reactions: 36,133
Therapeutic Class: Antiemetic
Brand Names: Zofran, Zofran Odt, Zuplenz

#15. Ramipril

Percent of Reactions That Were Serious: 85%
Number of Serious Reactions: 32,374
Total Number of Reported Reactions: 37,895
Therapeutic Class: Antihypertensive
Brand Names: Altace

#14. Rosiglitazone

Percent of Reactions That Were Serious: 85%
Number of Serious Reactions: 87,352
Total Number of Reported Reactions: 101,873
Therapeutic Class: Antidiabetic
Brand Names: Avandia

#13. Medroxyprogesterone

Percent of Reactions That Were Serious: 89%
Number of Serious Reactions: 34,018
Total Number of Reported Reactions: 38,079
Therapeutic Class: Endocrine-Metabolic Agent
Brand Names: Provera, Alti-Mpa

#12. Lenalidomide

Percent of Reactions That Were Serious: 89%
Number of Serious Reactions: 69,123
Total Number of Reported Reactions: 77,417
Therapeutic Class: Immune Modulator
Brand Names: Revlimid

#11. Methylprednisolone

Percent of Reactions That Were Serious: 90%
Number of Serious Reactions: 30,040
Total Number of Reported Reactions: 33,095
Therapeutic Class: Endocrine-Metabolic Agent
Brand Names: Medrol, Medrol Dosepak, Methylpred-Dp

#10. Metoclopramide

Percent of Reactions That Were Serious: 91%
Number of Serious Reactions: 32,757
Total Number of Reported Reactions: 35,623
Therapeutic Class: Antiemetic
Brand Names: Metozolv Odt, Reglan

#9. Infliximab

Percent of Reactions That Were Serious: 91%
Number of Serious Reactions: 68,167
Total Number of Reported Reactions: 74,738
Therapeutic Class: Immunological Agent
Brand Names: Remicade

#8. Tacrolimus

Percent of Reactions That Were Serious: 92%
Number of Serious Reactions: 27,964
Total Number of Reported Reactions: 30,262
Therapeutic Class: Antipsoriatic
Brand Names: Protopic

#7. Zoledronic Acid

Percent of Reactions That Were Serious: 93%
Number of Serious Reactions: 35,581
Total Number of Reported Reactions: 38,016
Therapeutic Class: Calcium Regulator
Brand Names: Reclast, Zometa

#6. Dexamethasone

Percent of Reactions That Were Serious: 93%
Number of Serious Reactions: 38,966
Total Number of Reported Reactions: 41,636
Therapeutic Class: Endocrine-Metabolic Agent
Brand Names: Baycadron Elixer, Decadron, Dekpak 13 Day Taperpak, Dexamethasone Intensol, Dexpak, Dexpak 10 Day Taperpak, Dexpak Jr, Zema-Pak

#5. Clozapine

Percent of Reactions That Were Serious: 95%
Number of Serious Reactions: 29,470
Total Number of Reported Reactions: 30,914
Therapeutic Class: Antipsychotic
Brand Names: Clozaril, Fazaclo, Versacloz

#4. Rituximab

Percent of Reactions That Were Serious: 96%
Number of Serious Reactions: 30,014
Total Number of Reported Reactions: 31,157
Therapeutic Class: Antineoplastic Agent
Brand Names: Rituxan

#3. Bevacizumab

Percent of Reactions That Were Serious: 96%
Number of Serious Reactions: 39,957
Total Number of Reported Reactions: 41,281
Therapeutic Class: Immunological Agent
Brand Names: Avastin

#2. Prednisolone

Percent of Reactions That Were Serious: 96%
Number of Serious Reactions: 42,323
Total Number of Reported Reactions: 43,817
Therapeutic Class: Endocrine-Metabolic Agent
Brand Names: Bubbli-Pred, Cotolone, Flo-Pred, Millipred, Millipred Dp, Orapred, Orapred Odt, Pediapred, Prelone, Veripred 20, Pms-Prednisolone

#1. Cyclophosphamide

Percent of Reactions That Were Serious: 97%

Number of Serious Reactions: 33,128
Total Number of Reported Reactions: 34,076
Therapeutic Class: Antineoplastic Agent
Brand Names: Cytoxan, Cytoxan Lyophilized

SOURCE: Sabrina Perry| POSTED&UPDATED - 1:23 PM, Apr 11, 2016LINK - http://www.nbc26.com/news/national/these-are-the-50-most-dangerous-drugs-on-the-market