Knowledge empowerment of pharmacist would drive to achieve Pharma Vision 2020

Thursday, December 19, 2013, 16:40 Hrs  [IST]

Karnataka State Pharmacy Council (KSPC) has been at the forefront of pharmacy trade profession. From the organizing several people-oriented programmes like educating public on various diseases and their management by conducting workshops and seminars, to introduction of online registration, renewal of licences for pharmacists and investing in LED (light emitting diode) display in Bengaluru city, the Council has been leading from the front. The latest is that the Pharmacy Council of India (PCI), through its Education Regulation Committee, has gone in for the revision of the D Pharm syllabus. The Committee has approved the KSPC's newsletters, which are seen as informative and educative reference books for the new syllabus of D Pharm. In an interaction with Nandita Vijay of Chronicle Pharmabiz, DA Gundu Rao, president of KSPC, elaborates about 65th IPC 2013 - 'Pharma Vision 2020: Empowering the Pharmacist': Excerpts:

Over Charging of Life-Saving Drugs by Sellers

New Delhi, 10 Dec 2013 (PIB): The term “Life saving drugs” is not recognized under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 and rules made thereunder. However, the Government has published a National List of Essential Medicines (NLEM), 2011 containing 348 medicines. The primary purpose of NLEM is to promote rational use of medicines considering the three important aspects i.e. cost, safety and efficacy. NLEM is one of the key instruments in balanced healthcare delivery systems of the country which includes accessible, affordable quality medicines at all the primary, secondary and tertiary levels of healthcare. Pricing of drugs is administered by the Department of Pharmaceutical and the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) under the provisions of the Drug Price Control Order (DPCO). The Drugs & Cosmetics Act, 1940 and Rules made thereunder administered by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare do not contain provisions for pricing of drugs. Government in that Department has notified the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Policy and the Drugs Price Control Order, 2013 to regulate the prices of essential medicines. This was stated by Shri. Ghulam Nabi Azad, Union Minister for Heath and Family Welfare, in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha today.

Pharmacists urge DCGI to issue clarifications on Schedule H1 to avoid misinterpretation

Mumbai, 19 Dec 2013: Pharmacists across the country have expressed huge concern over the lack of clarity in the recently published gazette notification on Schedule H1, which deals with regulating the use of antibiotics in the country. Raj Vaidya, a community pharmacist, points out that there are lot of gray areas in the notification that needs to be clarified so as to avoid complications arising due to misinterpretation of some clauses by different persons or authorities.

Blood banks can't charge more than rates fixed by NBTC: Gujarat High Court

Ahmedabad, 1 Dec 2013: Soon, blood banks in Gujarat will be able to sell bloods to public only at the rate fixed by National Blood Transfusion Council (NBTC). They will also be obliged to give free blood to patients suffering from thalassemia and haemophilia. The Gujarat High Court in its landmark judgement on blood banks on Saturday made it clear that it would be the duty of the state government to appoint sufficient number of inspectors to ensure that rules for running of blood banks are strictly complied with as per the National Blood Policy.

80% of medicines not covered by price control order

New Delhi, 1 Dec 2013: About 38 million people in India (which is more than Canada's population) fall below the poverty line every year due to healthcare expenses, of which 70% is on purchase of drugs. Yet, the much-awaited drug price control order (DPCO) 2013, meant to control the price of medicines does not cover over 80% of the medicines in the market. Many drugs crucial for India's disease profile have been left out, which means people are unlikely to see any significant reduction in expenditure on medicines.

Press Conference................

NPPA revises prices of 63 more formulation packs under new DPCO

New Delhi, 9 Nov 2013: The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA), which has been revising the prices of essential medicines in accordance with the new Drug Price Control Order, 2013 since June this year, has fixed the prices of 63 more formulation packs. With this, the total number of formulation packs covered under the new pharmaceutical policy has crossed 400, including over 50 packs whose prices could not be revised as information was not available. The price regulator had already announced the new prices for over 300 formulation packs already. According to the new pricing policy, the ceiling of prices are fixed based on the simple average of the prices of all brands of that drug that have a market share of atleast one per cent. The national list of essential medicines lists 348 bulk drugs, which are sold as 650 formulations.

60 drug cos offer increased margins to trade on controlled drugs after talks with AIOCD

Mumbai, 11 Nov 2013: Over 60 drug manufacturers have agreed to increase trade margins of wholesalers and retailers on price controlled medicines after a series of talks between various industry bodies and All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists (AIOCD). AIOCD had to initiate talks with the industry bodies as Department of Pharmaceuticals (DoP) has been hesitant to restore the old trade margins by amending DPCO 2013. Says Suresh Gupta, general secretary, AIOCD, "We look forward to getting an increase in the trade margin from over 90 companies for which talks are still going on."

DoP asks NPPA to relook at ceiling price fixed for azithromycin under new DPCO

New Delhi, 31 Oct 2013: The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) has been directed by the Department of Pharmaceuticals (DoP) to reconsider the ceiling price fixed for Zithrox and Azilide brands of azithromycin produced by Alembic Pharmaceuticals Ltd., following a review petition filed by the company against the NPPA revision as per the new Drug Price Control Order, 2013. However, the review petitions by Modi-Mundipharma Pvt Ltd and Win-Medicare Pvt Ltd were rejected by the DoP as many more companies have reportedly challenged the new ceiling prices announced by the NPPA in line with the DPCO and the pharmaceutical pricing policy in the recent months.

After HC disallows ban, govt to put warning on anti-depressant

New Delhi, 6 Nov 2013: Left red-faced after yet another drug ban order failed to pass judicial scrutiny, the government is set to pass an order that anti-depressant Deanxit should be sold with a warning in red that the drug is to be sold only on the prescription of a registered psychiatrist. A notification regarding this will soon be issued under section 26A of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act. In addition, an expert committee comprising psychiatrists and pharmacologists constituted by the Drug Technical Advisory Board will examine the safety and efficacy of the drug and make recommendations about its marketing in India.

SHRI K.E.PRAKASH PRESIDENT KCDA AT.............

Belgaum(9/11/2013)-On the Occasion of Annual Gen.Meeting of "Belgaum District Welfare Chemist & Druggists Association,Belgaum(Karnataka)held on 10/11/2013,Shri K.E.PRAKASH president of Karnataka State Chemists & Druggists Association with office bearers will inaugurate the function.Also he will address to the members of the BDWCDA.
      On this occasion Shri Rajshekhar Malli (Asst.Drugs Controller of Belgaum circle) and Shri K.S.Mallikarjun(Asst.Drugs Controller of Karwar cicle) will guide about the amendments in Drugs & Cosmetics rules.
        Talking with Belgaum Chemist Blog,Shri Gangadhar Turmundi,Secretary of the Association briefed the Successful Activities of the Association,like Solving problems of wholesale distributors,Retail Members.Also by circulating Important circulars about Rules& Regulations of Drug & Cosmetic Act 1940,Vat circulars time to time.In coming days Association is arranging Education Programmes for their Members.

More large pharma cos offer higher trade margins over DPCO 2013

Mumbai, 28 Sept 2013: Shortage of essential medicines on retail shelves may be over soon as nine pharma companies in succession over the past two months have agreed to offer higher margins to the retailers and stockists against what has been mandated in the DPCO-2013. AIOCD has been in the process of approaching over 100 companies with similar demands over the past couple of months. Taking cue from Mumbai-based Blue Cross Laboratories Ltd, Franco-Indian Pharmaceuticals Pvt Ltd, RPG Life Sciences, Delcure Life Sciences and Modi Mundipharma, Mumbai based Macleods Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Hetero Healthcare Ltd, Indoco Remedies Ltd and FDC Ltd will also offer higher margins of 20 per cent and 10 per cent to retailers and stockists respectively as demanded by trade body All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists (AIOCD).

Parliamentary panel starts scrutiny of Drugs & Cosmetics (Amendment) Bill, 2013

New Delhi, 30 Sept 2013: The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health and Family Welfare has started examining the new Drugs and Cosmetics (amendment) Bill, 2013 which was presented in the Rajya Sabha last month, seeking to centralise the licensing system in 17 categories of drugs. The Panel headed Brajesh Pathak is learnt to have already kicked off the process and took the views of the Secretary of the Department of Health and Family Welfare recently, after the bill was referred to the committee by the Rajya Sabha.

New drug pricing policy under SC scanner

New Delhi, 4 Oct 2013: The government's new drug pricing policy came under the scanner Thursday as the Supreme Court sought an explanation over the latest pricing formula for essential medicines and questioned if market driven forces had an effect on it. A Bench led by Justice G S Singhvi said it will "test" the rationale behind the new Drug Price Control Order to fix the ceiling price of essential medicines on the basis of average market-based pricing. It demanded an answer on why the new policy, which intends to put a cap on prices of 348 medicines, changed the formula for deciding the cap from a cost-based mechanism to a market price-based mechanism.

NPPA fixes prices of 43 more formulation packs as per new DPCO

New Delhi, 25 Sept 2013: The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA), continuing its exercise of revising the prices of essential medicines under the new Drug Price Control Order, 2013, has fixed the prices of 43 more formulation packs. The formulations are based on the bulk drugs of allopurinol, dexchlorpheniramine maleate, promethazine, phenobarbitone, piperazine, dapsone, ethambutol, isoniazid, acyclovir, didanosine, stavudine, diltiazem, nifedipine beclomethasone dipropionate, hydrocortisone sodium succinate, ipratropium bromide, fluconazole, sevoflurane, bupivacaine hydrochloride, lignocaine hydrochloride, adrenaline, morphine sulphate, heparin, sodium, calamine lotion, glutaraldehyde, sulphacetamide sodium, pilocarpine, ringer lactate, sodium bicarbonate, calcium carbonate, calcium gluconate, diclofenac and cefixime trihydrate+ofloxacin.

Schedule H1 Notified on 30 Aug, 2013

New Delhi, 30 Aug 2013: Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, New Delhi on 30 Aug, 2013 vide GSR 588 (E) has notified Schedule H1 after consultation with DTAB. These Rules will come in force after six months of publication in official Gazette. In Rule 65, in condition (3), (9), (11) (11A) wherever Schedule H is their “Schedule H and Schedule H1” shall be substituted.

HC relief for J&J, can restart production at Mulund factory

Mumbai, 19 Sept 2013: In a relief for the baby products maker Johnson and Johnson (J&J), the Bombay High Court today allowed the company to restart the manufacturing of baby powder at its Mulund unit, which had been stopped upon the order of Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration. FDA had ordered shut down of the plant for not treating a batch of talcum powder for ethylene oxide residue in 2007.

National Antibiotics Policy

New Delhi, 27 Aug 2013 (PIB): The Government has already framed a comprehensive policy, namely, the National Policy for Containment of Antimicrobial Resistance, to address the problem of multi-drug resistance due to widespread and indiscriminate use of antimicrobial / antibiotic drugs in the country. The policy was developed by a Task Force constituted under the chairmanship of Director General of Health Services to address the problem. The policy is available on the web-site of the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare. The salient features of the policy are as follows:

Drug makers hike margins on essential medicines

New Delhi, 20 Sept 2013: Succumbing to pressure from stockists and retailers, several drug manufacturers have increased wholesalers’ as well as retailers’ margins on essential medicines. Recently, prices of essential medicines were slashed under the new drug pricing control order (DPCO). Companies such as Cipla, Torrent Pharma, Eris Lifesciences and Akumentis, which manufacture most essential medicines, have decided to ease margins for retailers and distributors by either raising the percentage slab or providing discounts. For instance, in a letter, dated September 19, Mumbai-based Cipla told its stockists,“…effective 20th September 2013, we shall increase the trade margins to 10% to all our stockists and to 20% to all our retailers on all NLEM (national list of essential medicines) products as per DPCO 2013”.

Crackdown on sale of banned painkiller drug

PUNE, 10 Aug 2013: There is rampant sale of the banned painkiller dextropropoxyphehne (DXP) in Pune and elsewhere in the state. The Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) officials, in a two-week operation, have nabbed a drug consignee agent and a pharma company's depot manager in Pune. Together, they had sold capsules containing the drug worth over Rs 60 lakh in Pune, the rest of Maharashtra and Goa, officials said. The agent was nabbed on Thursday night in Uruli Devachi. He was attached to a Hyderabad-based pharma company and distributed the drug through a network spread in Maharashtra and Goa. FDA officials have filed an FIR against the agent with Loni Kalbhor police station under section 26 (A) of Drugs and Cosmetics Act 1940 and section 328 of Indian Penal Code (causing hurt by means of poison, with intent to commit an offence).

FLAG HOSTING AT....................

Belgaum:-(15/8/2013) Flag hosting ceremony at Assistant Drugs Control Department Belgaum(Karnataka)
                Shri K.S.Mallikarjun (Assist.Drugs Controller),Shri Sharanbasappa Hanmanal(D.I.),Shri Gururaj
                (D.I.)& Office staff with the members of The Belgaum Chemists & Druggists Association,& The
                Belgaum C&D Welfare Association were present.
                                                                  VANDE MATRAM

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY..............

BGMCHEMIST BLOG WISHES YOU HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY.
VANDE MATRAM JAI HIND.

BGMCHEMIST WISHES..................

BELGAUM-(9/8/2013) BGMCHEMIST WISHES HAPPY RAMADAN AND EID MUBARAK

Delhi HC sends notice to Centre on DPCO issue as more companies challenge new drug pricing

New Delhi, 5 Aug 2013: The Delhi High Court has sent notices to the Centre and the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) as seven more companies moved the court to question the newly revised prices of formulations as per the Drug Price Control Order (DPCO) 2013. The Court sent notices to the Centre and others including NPPA on a petition filed by the Indian Drug Manufacturers Association (IDMA) on the issue of drug pricing. The case came up before the bench of Acting Chief Justice B D Ahmed and Justice Vibhu Bakhru on Monday.

Over 22 lakh tablets, including banned drug, seized

PATIALA, 6 AUG 2013: In one of the major drug recoveries in the state in recent years, the Patiala police claimed to have seized over 22 lakh tablets of various formulations, including 2.8 lakh tablets of banned drug, near Shambhu barrier on Monday. The drugs were seized from a truck coming from Delhi to Ludhiana by a joint team of drug authorities and the district police. Rajpura superintendent of police Bhupinder Singh Khatra said that around 10 lakh tablets of Mycrolit (Diphenoxilate), over nine lakh tablets of Lomotil and around 2.8 lakh tablets of Pravon Spas (Dextropropoxyphene Hydrochloride) were recovered from the truck.

Pending HC decision new drug price order must be complied with’

New Delhi, 8 Aug 2013: The government on Wednesday told pharmaceutical companies that pending the decision of the Delhi High Court, new drug price control orders (DPCO), as per the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Policy 2012, would have to be complied with.

Drugs seized, one held for illegal collection

IMAPUR, 22 JULY 2013 (MExN): Excise personnel posted at the Chumukedima Check-post on July 21 confiscated 33 thousand capsules of restricted pharmaceutical drug - spasmo proxyvon. The restricted drug was found in the possession of one Md. Ziaour Rahman (22 years), hailing from Lilong Turel Ahanbi, Thoubal, Manipur.

Ban lifted, diabetes drug will now come with warning

Mumbai, 2 Aug 2013: Following a series of protests from doctors across the country, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has after several rounds of meetings finally revoked the June 18 ban on the antidiabetic drug pioglitazone. An insulin sensitiser, the drug is considered by experts to be the most effective of its kind, provided it is administered in the correct dosage. The lifting of the ban will bring relief to over 35 lakh diabetes patients across the country who were left to either switch to insulin or opt for costlier (yet less effective) drugs. The ministry's notification issued on July 31 states that while the central government was of the opinion that the use of pioglitazone involved risk to human life, the DTAB examined the issue and suggested that the drug should not be banned. Conditions for sale

No confusion about implementation of new drug prices following HC order: DoP

New Delhi, 1 Aug 2013: The Department of Pharmaceuticals (DoP) has clarified that there was no confusion about the implementation of the new prices as per the Drugs Price Control Order (DPCO) 2013 in the market, in the wake of the orders by the Delhi High Court in two cases on Tuesday. The Court has not allowed the companies to sell the old stocks as per the old prices, but has asked them to instead furnish supplementary price list to the retailers and the drug controllers in respect of formulations covered under various price notifications, DoP joint secretary Shambhu Kallolikar said.

FIR for alleged illegal sale and distribution of Spasmoproxyvon Capsules

Mumbai, 1 Aug 2013: The Maharashtra Foods & Drugs Administration (FDA) has registered a first information report (FIR) in Pune against Wockhardt’s clearing and forwarding outlets (entities responsible for maintaining stocks of the company’s products and forwarding to stockists on request) for the alleged illegal sale and distribution of spasmoproxyvon capsules. The FIR was lodged according to the provisions of the Drugs & Cosmetics Act, 1940, and the Indian Penal Code.

DoP rejects review petition by Lupin against NPPA price fixation order

New Delhi, 30 July 2013: The Department of Pharmaceuticals (DoP) has rejected the two review petitions including the one by Lupin against fixation of price of Levo-salbutamol by the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA).

NPPA fixes prices of 26 more formulations, withdraws notifications on two formulations announced earlier

New Delhi, 25 July 2013: The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) has revised the prices of 26 more formulations as part of the ongoing exercise of refixing the prices of essential medicines covered under the new pharmaceutical policy and the Drug Price Control Order (DPCO) 2013. The pharma pricing regulator has also withdrawn the price fixation in the case of two formulations, announced in its earlier notifications. “In exercise of the powers, conferred by paragraph 4, 11 and 14 of the Drugs (Prices Control) Order, 2013, read with S.O. No. 1394(E) dated the May 30, 2013 issued by the Government of India in the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (hereinafter referred as NPPA) hereby withdraw the Gazette Notification S.O. No. 1818(E) dated June 21, 2013, relating to Glucose Injection 5% isotonic, with immediate effect,” said the notification dated July 22. In the similar way, the regulator also withdrew the earlier notification with regard to Oral Rehydration Salts Powder for Solution, with immediate effect. Earlier notification was made on June 14. Prices of both these formulations were fixed as per the new DPCO.

Price of 25 more drugs to be cut by upto 90%

New Delhi, 5 July 2013: The drug price regulator is set to bring down prices of another 25 essential medicine packs by up to 90.26%, after it slashed MRP of 151 packs last month. The latest price reduction includes mostly cardiovascular drugs, anti-bacterials, anti-herpes, contraceptives and gastrointestinal medicines, an official source said.

HM bans two drugs Analgin and Pioglitazone

NEW DELHI, 27 JUNE 2013: The health ministry has suspended the sale of two drugs - painkiller Analgin and anti-diabetes drug Pioglitazone and all its combinations . While the ban on Analgin in India has come after almost 36 years after the drug was banned in the US (which banned it in 1977), Pioglitazone was pulled out of France in 2011 for an increased risk of bladder cancer. Analgin was withdrawn from Sweden in 1997 for the risk of causing a sharp fall in white blood cells, a potentially fatal condition. It is still being marketed in India, the house panel noted. The drug is also banned in France, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan among a host of other countries. Pioglitazone, howevercontinues to be sold in most other major markets, including the US, the UK, Japan, Canada. The domestic drug industry is protesting the move, saying this ban would force lakhs of patients to move to more expensive alternatives and insulin. "There are over 30 lakh patients using this drug. There is no evidence to show that the drug has caused any adverse drug reactions in India, despite being marketed in the country since 2001," said DG Shah, secretary general, Indian Pharma Alliance.

NPPA FIXED PRICES OF 40 FORMULATIONS (DATED21/6/2013)

The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority has fixed / revised the prices in respect of 40 formulation packs Notification / orders dated 21.6.2013

For details please click the following:

Copies of Gazette Notifications for Ceiling Prices

 

S.No	S.O.No	Date	Formulation based on bulk drugs
1.	1793(E)	21-6-2013	Albendazole
2.	1794(E)	21-6-2013	Albendazole
3.	1795(E)	21-6-2013	Amoxicillin
4.	1796(E)	21-6-2013	Amoxicillin
5.	1797(E)	21-6-2013	Ampicillin
6.	1798(E)	21-6-2013	Ampicillin
7.	1799(E)	21-6-2013	Ceftazidine
8.	1800(E)	21-6-2013	Ceftriaxone
9.	1801(E)	21-6-2013	Amikacin
10.	1802(E)	21-6-2013	Artesunate
11.	1803(E)	21-6-2013	Ondansetron
12.	1804(E)	21-6-2013	Ondansetron
13.	1805(E)	21-6-2013	Bromocriptine Mesylate
14.	1806(E)	21-6-2013	Bromocriptine Mesylate
15.	1807(E)	21-6-2013	Albumin
16.	1808(E)	21-6-2013	Amlodipine
17.	1809(E)	21-6-2013	Amlodipine
18.	1810(E)	21-6-2013	Atenolol
19.	1811(E)	21-6-2013	Atorvastatin
20.	1812(E)	21-6-2013	Acyclovir
21.	1813(E)	21-6-2013	Ispaghula
22.	1814(E)	21-6-2013	Metformin
23.	1815(E)	21-6-2013	Levothyroxine
24.	1816(E)	21-6-2013	Acetazolamide
25.	1817(E)	21-6-2013	Alprazolam
26.	1818(E)	21-6-2013	Glucose
27.	1819(E)	21-6-2013	Glucose
28.	1820(E)	21-6-2013	Cefixime
29.	1821(E)	21-6-2013	Primaquine
30.	1822(E)	21-6-2013	Fluconazole
31.	1823(E)	21-6-2013	Fluconazole
32.	1824(E)	21-6-2013	Fluconazole
33.	1825(E)	21-6-2013	Fluconazole
34.	1826(E)	21-6-2013	Fluconazole
35.	1827(E)	21-6-2013	Imatinib
36.	1828(E)	21-6-2013	Omeprazole
37.	1829(E)	21-6-2013	Omeprazole
38.	1830(E)	21-6-2013	Atropine Sulphate
39.	1831(E)	21-6-2013	Atropine Sulphate
40.	1832(E)	21-6-2013	Diazepam

Pharma companies cut prices of top medicines

MUMBAI, 22 JUNE 2013: Prices of widely-used medicines like antiseptic skin lotion Betadine, fever pill Calpol, supplement folvite, antibiotic Azithral, a host of cardiac medication including Ismo, Losar and Repace (Losartan) and anti-diabetic drug Daonil, will be revised downwards. The price reduction comes in the wake of a proposed revision by drug companies in line with ceiling prices notified by the drugs pricing regulator earlier this week. The benefit to patients is an average 25-27%, while the loss to companies in the first round of the policy implementation will be around Rs 920 crore annually. While multinationals like Pfizer and GSK lead the pack of companies most impacted in the first round, others which are hit include Bharat Serums, Win-Medicare, Abbott, Wockhardt, Sun Pharma, Ranbaxy and Zydus Cadila. Pfizer will suffer a loss of Rs 48 crore, followed by Rs 43 crore by GSK on an annual basis, in the first round of implementation of pharma policy.

NPPA FIXED PRICES OF........

The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority has fixed / revised the prices in respect of 151 formulation packs Notification / orders dated 14.6.2013

For details please click the following:

NPPA starts notifying new prices of essential drugs as per DPCO 2013

New Delhi, 18 June 2013: The consumers are all set to start getting the benefit of new price regime, as per the Drugs Price Control Order (DPCO) 2013 controlling the prices of essential drugs, by the end of July. In the first batch of revision of prices, according to the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Policy 2012, the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) has fixed the prices of 151 formulations that come under the essential drugs to begin the process.

Prices of key drugs to be cut by up to half

NEW DELHI, 17 JUNE 2013: Some key cancer drugs, antibiotics and medicines to treat cardiovascular diseases and tuberculosis are set to become cheaper by up to 50 per cent within the next 45 days. The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) will soon notify prices of as many as 150 packs of essential medicines in line with the new pharma pricing policy, according to official sources.

Gift related.......

NPPA HAS FIXED/REVISED THE PRICES.....

The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority has fixed / revised the prices in respect of 86 formulation packs Notification / orders dated 10.6.2013

For details please click the following:

Copies of Gazette Notifications for Ceiling and Non-Ceiling Prices

WISH YOU........

Belgaum:-(Karnataka) We the members of Belgaum District & City Chemist & Druggists wishes Shri N.G.Kulkarni Hon.Secretary of BDCDA & BCCDA on his birthday.
     Shri N.G.Kulkarni, completed 60 yrs.He is well known supportive,hard and devoted member of both association.He has actively worked for K.C.D.A .Bengaluru.
      All the best for his coming service for both the association.

NPPA begins process to fix prices of 348 essential drugs as per new DPCO 2013

Mumbai, 12 June 2013: In a move towards fixing the much anticipated ceiling price of the 348 formulations falling under the new Drug Price Control Order (DPCO) 2013, the NPPA last week directed all the state licensing authorities (SLAs) to submit the details of all the manufacturers in their respective states, manufacturing these formulations.

Public interest groups plan fresh affidavit before SC based on new DPCO

New Delhi, 27 May, 2013: With new Drug Price Control Order (DPCO) 2013 in place even with a case is pending in the Supreme Court on the pharmaceutical policy for final verdict, the public interest groups are planning to file a fresh affidavit in the backdrop of the DPCO. “We have been waiting for the date of the hearing of the case. Now the court is on leave and the new DPCO has been notified even before final judgement on the issue. We are working on it and would be filing a fresh affidavit based on the formula of price fixing in the DPCO,” said Dr Mira Shiva of All India Drugs Action Network (AIDAN) said.

Reasons to Drink More Water

We all are constantly reminded of how important water is for our bodies, and that's for a good reason. Something that makes up for more than 70% of your body, is definitely important, which is why, we've decided to list down some facts about how important water is. You may probably never have heard of about some of these!

Research suggests that around half of the world's population is chronically dehydrated, and by the time you actually feel the need to get a glass of water, your body is probably already dehydrated. Can't think of enough reasons to drink more water? Read on… 

You should drink water to- 

• Prevent cancer- Hydrotherapy, or water therapy, is being used as a treatment in many parts of the world, and has shown amazing benefits for many. Statistics and many researches reveal that staying hydrated can cut down your risk of suffering from bladder cancer, colon cancer, and breast cancer too. 

IT'S VERY IMPORTANT..........

DEAR READERS OF OUR BLOG PLEASE GO THROUGH DPCO 2013.WHICH IS AVAILABLE ONwww.drugscontrol.org

FDA cracks down on addictive cough syrups

Mumbai, 22 May, 2013: To curb over-the-counter sale of addictive cough syrups, the food and drug administration (FDA) has asked Narcotics Control Board (NCB) to regulate supply of codeine phosphate. Codeine phosphate is a key narcotic ingredient used in the manufacture of cough syrups. It can become an addiction if consumed in large quantities. FDA has suspended licences of 323 pharmacies and cancelled that of 28, besides registering five FIRs, in the last one year for selling such cough syrups over-the-counter.

Guj FDCA busts racket in Ahmedabad selling spurious drugs of top brands

Mumbai, 23 May, 2013: The Gujarat Food and Drug Control Administration (FDCA) recently busted a racket of illegal manufacturing and sale of spurious drugs in Ahmedabad. In a raid carried out by the the FDCA officials, the authorities seized drugs worth Rs.2 lakhs from the main accused Jayesh Mehta's residence, which he had stocked without any valid license. The test results from the samples that were collected during the raid showed 0 per cent active drug ingredients in it. During the course of the investigation, the FDCA officials found that the accused where involved in counterfeiting three leading brands categorised and recognised as fast moving products belonging to reputed companies.

CCI directs AIOCD from obtaining NOC for appointing stockists, PIS charges from pharma cos

Chennai, 17 May, 2013: Following the direction of the Competition Commission of India (CCI), the All India Organisation of Chemists & Druggists (AIOCD) has issued a circular to its members and office-bearers of state associations communicating the orders of the Commission. The Circular, dated April 18, 2013, states that AIOCD received an order dated February 25, 2013 from CCI, New Delhi on February 28, 2013. The circular was signed by president J S Shinde and it contains the directions of the Commission.

NPPA to start announcing revised prices of essential drugs as per new DPCO soon

New Delhi, 20 May, 2013: With the new Drug Price Control Order is in force setting the norms for fixing the prices of essential medicines, the first batch of revised prices is likely to be announced within a couple of weeks time. The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA), the agency responsible for fixing the prices, is learnt to have already started the process of revising the prices as per the new norms and the first batch with new prices may be announced this month itself.

This woman drug inspector climbs rooftop to search for dangerous drugs

erabasti, 9 May, 2013: Drugs menace is fast catching up in Chandigarh. Some chemists are selling unauthorized and illegal party drugs. There is huge money involved in this illegal trade. There is a group of informers working to protect the people involved in the trade.

State drug controllers appeal to DTAB to ban 3 narcotic drugs

(DTAB), urging them to take immediate action to restrict the manufacturing and use of some narcotic and psychotropic drugs in the country in the public interest. This demand comes in the wake of widespread and uncontrolled use of these drugs by individuals for addressing their drug addiction needs. Regulators fear that if the situation persist it will lead to the failure of the healthcare system within the country as more people, especially youth, are found to be falling in for the addiction of these narcotic and psychotropic drugs as an effective source for intoxication.

DCC sub-committee for amendment of D&C Rules led by Dr Jagashetty to meet on Feb 28 & March 1 (21/2/13)

ENGALURU, 21 FEB, 2013: Drugs Consultative Committee (DCC) sub-committee for Amendments to the Drugs & Cosmetic Rules constituted by Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) which is headed by the Karnataka Drugs Controller, Dr BR Jagashetty will convene a meeting on February 28 and March 1, 2013 to discuss on the revision of norms. There are six state drugs controllers coming in for this meeting representing states of Maharashtra, Gujarat, Delhi, Andhra Pradesh, Nagaland and J&K. The drugs controller of Tamil Nadu will be a special invitee to the meeting. “There are 169 Drugs & Cosmetics Rules which would require to be analyzed by the Committee to be able to devise the amendments within a span of six months. Since viewing each of the rules will be a time consuming task, we would evaluate the important ones to be prepare the proposals for revision”, said Dr Jagashetty, told this reporter.

69 prosecutions launched relating to misleading ads

NEW DELHI, 23 FEB, 2013: A total of 630 cases were registered for investigation and 69 prosecutions were launched in the year 2010-2011 and 2011–2012 relating to misleading advertisements.
According to the State Drugs Control Authorities, 57 food items have been identified with misleading claims through print and electronic media under the Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisement) Act.

HC tells FDA to go easy on chemists

Mumbai, 22 Feb, 2013:The Bombay high court on Thursday told the state Food and Drug Administration (FDA) department to be more considerate towards grievances of chemists who have been shutting shops after 6pm for lack of availability of pharmacists. A division bench of chief justice Mohit Shah and justice Anoop Mohta have told the state to file a reply as to what steps it proposes to tackle the issue. This was told during the hearing of a public interest litigation filed by a practicing lawyer, Datta Mane, contending that the general public had been put to inconvenience in the wake of the decision of chemists across the state to down shutters of their shops after 6pm.

Three arrested after students hospitalised following internet drug overdose

United Kingdom, 12 Jan, 2013: Three men have been arrested after a group of students needed hospital treatment for taking an illegal hallucinogenic drug bought on the internet. One of the students remains in critical condition after he and five others fell ill early on Friday having taken 2CB, a party drug which is similar to ecstasy. The group, some studying at Newcastle University, were found after police raided a house in Jesmond, a leafy suburb of Newcastle, at around 3am.

Man held for posing as FDA officer to extort money from shop owners

MUMBAI, 1 FEB, 2013: Dharavi police on Wednesday arrested a 39-year-old man for carrying out raids at sweet shops in Dharavi, impersonating as a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) officer. He allegedly used to demand money from the shop owners, warning them to pay him ransom, to not take any action against them for keeping 'sub-standard' food items for sale.

Govt to stop over the counter sale of 40 more drugs

NEW DELHI, 1 FEB, 2013: Some 40 drugs will soon be notified under a new schedule, H1, of Drugs and Cosmetics Act to make it mandatory for chemists to maintain a register of their sales and retain a copy of the prescription. This will be in addition to the schedule H drugs which, too, can’t be sold without prescription. Besides, packs of H1 drugs will carry a prominent warning in red stating that it is dangerous to take these drugs without doctor’s prescription.

FDA assistant commissioner suspended for neglecting duty

MUMBAI, 26 JAN, 2013: Food and Drug Administration (FDA) commissioner Mahesh Zagde on Friday suspended assistant commissioner V A Jawdekar for dereliction of duty. Last week, when Zagde sought information on the number of pharmacists in the state, he was told that all 60,000 medical stores have full-time pharmacists to verify prescriptions and issue bills as per provisions of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940.

NPPA revises prices of 33 formulation packs including monocomponent human insulin by Eli Lilly

New Delhi, 31 Dec: The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) has revised the prices in respect of 33 formulation packs including glipizide with combinations, metronidazole with combinations and monocomponent human insulin.

Police name hospitals in kidney racket

Bangalore, Jan 6, 2013 DHNS: The Ramanagara Police, on Saturday, named Columbia Asia, Manipal, Apollo, and Victoria Hospital, among others, in connection with the kidney transplant racket. Briefing reporters, Ramanagara District Superintendent of Police Anupam Agarwal, said, the special police team was probing the nature of involvement of authorities in these hospitals in connection with the racket. The police team, led by Kumbalagodu Police Inspector Manjunath, on December 31, 2012, had arrested two persons — Mahadeva and Gopala.