The Indian Medical Association (IMA) has issued a public health advisory on the seasonal surge in Influenza A (H1N1), or swine flu, urging people not to self-medicate with antibiotics and antivirals and advising immediate medical attention for severe symptoms.
A new study published in The Lancet Public Health journal reveals that almost all countries are overusing 'watch' class antibiotics, which are stronger drugs meant for specific conditions and contribute significantly to antibiotic resistance. The research developed a framework to assess appropriate antibiotic use and found that while many countries overuse antibiotics, particularly the 'watch' category, some also underuse 'reserve' antibiotics, potentially leaving patients with drug-resistant infections untreated. The study highlights a global inequality where lower-income countries need more specialised antibiotics but higher-income countries use them more.
India's pharmaceutical industry is experiencing increased bulk drug prices, particularly for APIs from China, following the escalation of the West Asia crisis in March. While current inventories provide a temporary buffer, concerns are mounting over the availability of key solvents and feedstocks, potentially leading to manufacturing disruptions and shortages in specific drug categories.
Ranbaxy Laboratories on Monday said it has received final approval from the United States Food and Drugs Administration to manufacture and market Amoxicillin and Clavulnate Potassium tablets, a generic version of GlaxoSmithkline's Augmentin.
The H3N2, which has been in wide circulation for the past two-three months, causes more hospitalisations than other subtypes, said ICMR scientists who keep a close watch on ailments caused by respiratory viruses through the Virus Research and Diagnostic Laboratories network.
Ranbaxy Laboratories, in a release issued to the BSE on Thursday, said the US Food and Drug Administration has granted the company permission to market DisperMox (amoxicillin tablets for oral suspension - 200mg and 400mg).\n\n
The government regulates prices of all other medicines.
More lucrative routinely prescribed drugs are at higher risk of failing quality standards
