logo
Now, digital prescriptions at Lucknow's urban PHCs

Now, digital prescriptions at Lucknow's urban PHCs

Hindustan Times27-06-2025
Jun 28, 2025 05:06 AM IST
Understanding names of medicines on prescriptions from doctors at 48 government urban primary health centres (UPHCs) in Lucknow will no longer be a trouble as a digital format has been introduced by the health department in the state capital. Lucknow's chief medical officer Dr NB Singh got the facility introduced. (For Representation)
'The prescription will be linked with the Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) ID of the patient and the digital slip can be printed too, where names of medicines will be visibly clear,' said Lucknow's chief medical officer Dr NB Singh who got the facility introduced.
At times, it was troublesome for chemists and patients alike to read handwritten prescriptions. The initiative will not only make it easier for patients to access medicines but will also ensure that their medical records are safely stored.
The facility will soon be extended to the remaining 6 UPHCs. Additionally, 108 Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (AAMs) in urban areas will also adopt this facility.
This in particular will be beneficial if the patient needs their medical record in future for treatment. Dr Singh said the digital prescriptions will be received in printed form and hence eliminating the need to decipher handwritten notes. He said these prescriptions will be stored in patients' ABHA IDs, allowing doctors to access their medical history. Moreover, the patients will no longer need to worry about losing their prescription papers.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

High BP norms revised by American Heart Association: Cardiologist explains how these can control risk factors
High BP norms revised by American Heart Association: Cardiologist explains how these can control risk factors

Indian Express

time5 hours ago

  • Indian Express

High BP norms revised by American Heart Association: Cardiologist explains how these can control risk factors

As research shows that high blood pressure is the most prevalent and modifiable risk factor for all-cause mortality — heart disease, strokes, dementia, chronic kidney disease — the American Heart Association (AHA) has revised guidelines for its management. 'For the first time, they have been rigorous about treating hypertension from the very beginning and are highlighting prevention through lifestyle management, testing for every trigger and early introduction of drugs if preventive measures fail,' says Dr Balbir Singh, chairman, cardiac sciences, Max Healthcare. 'Considering that Indians are genetically prone to heart disease earlier than other populations, these guidelines have takeaways for early prevention,' he adds. Compared to the time when 130/90 mmHg was considered the new normal, the AHA now classifies normal blood pressure as <120 mm Hg systolic and <80 mm Hg diastolic. 'So the normal level of 120/80 mm Hg has been reduced further. Which means your ideal BP should now be 115-119/70-79 mm Hg,' says Dr Singh. Elevated blood pressure is now classified as 120 to 129 mm Hg systolic and <80 mm Hg diastolic. Stage 1 hypertension is classified as 130 to 139 mm Hg systolic or 80 to 89 mm Hg diastolic; and stage 2 hypertension as ≥140 mm Hg systolic or ≥90 mm Hg diastolic. 'The aggressive revision has much to do with brain health and avoiding pregnancy-related complications. Research has shown that high BP can damage small blood vessels in the brain, affecting cognitive function,' says Dr Singh. 'According to the new guidelines, a systolic reading of 130–139 mm Hg should first be managed with lifestyle changes. Medication should be started if it doesn't reduce after the changes or your diastolic goes up from 80 to 90 mm Hg. A single medication is advised in this case. This is being done to prevent a crisis in heart failure patients, who cannot pump blood as effectively. BP puts further stress,' says Dr Singh. If the pressure is more than 140/90 mm Hg, the guidelines start with two drugs immediately. 'That's because combining different medications that work through different mechanisms to lower blood pressure can be more effective and sustained than using a single drug at a higher dose,' says Dr Singh. The guidelines have reinforced the need for controlling hypertension with tests like liver function test (LFT), kidney function test (KFT), sodium-potassium balance, uric acid and blood sugar profiles. 'However, this time guidelines are looking at kidneys and hormones too, making the urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio test (to measure kidney health) and aldosterone-to-renin ratio test (to detect a specific hormone-driven type of high blood pressure) mandatory. These two tests are specific to those who have stage 2 hypertension and other risk factors like sleep apnea. Diabetes, pregnancy and kidney health status will determine how aggressive and early the treatment should be,' says Dr Singh. He also points out that the role of potassium, be it in salts or diet, has been emphasised for its role in BP control. 'The AHA feels that potassium-based salt substitutes can be useful to prevent or treat elevated BP, except in those with kidney disease,' he adds. Cliched as they may sound, the AHA repeats what we know for better adherence. Limit sodium intake to less than 2,300 mg per day, moving toward an ideal limit of 1,500 mg per day by checking food labels. Quit smoking and limit alcohol, consuming no more than two drinks per day for men and no more than one drink per day for women. The AHA advises stress management through meditation, breath control or yoga and reducing weight by setting a doable goal of reducing it at least by five per cent. It recommends physical activity of at least 75-150 minutes each week, including aerobic exercise (such as cardio) and/or resistance training (such as weight training). The AHA re-emphasises the DASH eating plan, which means a diet rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, nuts and seeds, lean meats, poultry and fish and low in fat. Of course, all of this should be topped up with blood pressure monitoring at home.

‘Injecting painkillers direct path to death': Haryana NCB chief O P Singh warns against use of dangerous substitute drugs
‘Injecting painkillers direct path to death': Haryana NCB chief O P Singh warns against use of dangerous substitute drugs

Indian Express

time5 hours ago

  • Indian Express

‘Injecting painkillers direct path to death': Haryana NCB chief O P Singh warns against use of dangerous substitute drugs

Haryana's intensified crackdown on narcotics has sharply cut supply lines, but the squeeze is pushing addicts toward dangerous substitutes. Haryana State Narcotics Control Bureau's (HSNCB) chief DGP O P Singh Thursday issued a stern public warning that injecting crushed painkillers and prescription tablets is a 'direct path to death'. Enforcement figures released by the HSNCB show a sweeping escalation in action from January 1 to July 30. As many as 2,161 FIRs were registered this year, compared to 2,022 last year, marking a 6.87 per cent rise. Arrests jumped 35.21 per cent, from 2,684 to 3,629 during this period. Seizures also increased: 267 commercial quantity cases were registered against 238 last year (12.18 per cent rise), while 1,493 intermediate quantity cases were recorded compared to 1,142 in 2024 (30.74 per cent rise). Inter-state arrests rose to 293 from 175, a 36.57 per cent increase. Preventive detentions climbed from 8 in 2024 to 39 this year (79.48 per cent rise). Multi-accused cases almost doubled, rising from 574 to 1,030 (79.44 per cent increase). 'These numbers show that our grip on the supply network is tightening,' a senior officer said. 'We are targeting traffickers at every level, from local peddlers to interstate cartels… but success has spawned a new threat.' 'With narcotics harder to obtain, addicts are reportedly crushing and injecting tablets such as Tramadol, Tapentadol, and Pregabalin. Medical experts say this misuse can trigger blood clotting, cardiac arrest, and sudden death within minutes.' Issuing a warning, DGP Singh said, 'Improvised drug substitutes like injecting crushed tablets are not only hazardous, they are lethal. Misuse of such medicines can stop the heart instantly. No high is worth a life. The HSNCB is coupling enforcement with prevention.' He said that between January and July, 698 awareness programmes were held, reaching over 1.15 lakh participants. The Sports for Youth programme covered 4,270 villages and engaged 2.8 lakh young people, he added. 'Yet challenges remain. Convictions in commercial quantity cases dropped from 72.72 per cent last year to 56.75 per cent this year, raising concerns over trial follow-through. The prosecution is, however, being strengthened. The war against drugs is not just about seizures but also about protecting citizens from dangerous improvisations born of scarcity. The battlefront now extends beyond traffickers to the perilous practices of desperate addicts,' he said.

ICMR study flags unregulated herbal tobacco products on e-commerce sites
ICMR study flags unregulated herbal tobacco products on e-commerce sites

Indian Express

timea day ago

  • Indian Express

ICMR study flags unregulated herbal tobacco products on e-commerce sites

A new study has found that herbal cigarettes, often marketed as 'safer alternatives,' produce harmful combustion products that are similar to those found in tobacco cigarettes. The affordability and digital accessibility of these products, combined with misleading health claims, pose significant risks to tobacco users seeking genuine cessation support, said researchers from Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)-National Institute of Cancer Prevention and Research. Dr Prashant Kumar Singh, lead author and scientist, ICMR-National Institute of Cancer Prevention and Research, said that their study, published in the journal Tobacco Control, found at least 316 unverified herbal products targeting tobacco users across major Indian e-commerce platforms. 'Herbal tobacco cessation products (HTCPs), marketed with claims to support tobacco or nicotine cessation, are increasingly sold online in low and middle-income countries. However, there is little regulatory oversight or evidence on their safety and effectiveness. This study assessed the availability, affordability, claims and regulation of HTCPs on Indian e-commerce platforms,' Dr Singh told The Indian Express. In India, as per the report, there are approximately 266.8 million users of tobacco, the majority of whom consume smokeless tobacco products. Despite substantial progress in tobacco control, the reach of cessation services remains uneven across different population groups. According to the study authors, recent studies indicate that HTCPs are increasingly being used by young adults and the regulatory landscape for these products remains fragmented. HTCPs encompass a broad category of formulations—including herbal capsules, lozenges, gutkha substitutes, powders and herbal smokes—claimed as natural, safer alternatives to conventional pharmacotherapy. According to Dr Singh, these products are increasingly available on digital platforms, where vendors often make therapeutic claims such as 'eliminates cravings,' 'detoxifies lungs,' or 'replaces gutkha safely'. Researchers searched some of the major Indian e-commerce platforms, screened product listings and categorised product type, claimed indications, presence of disclaimers, regulatory approvals and pricing. 'We were able to identify 316 unique HTCPs across some of the major Indian e-commerce platforms,' he said. The study showed that HTCPs were marketed in three primary formulations: combustible products (42.7 per cent), raw herbal preparations (34.5 per cent) and other formats such as gummies, drops, capsules and patches (22.8 per cent). Products featured diverse flavours and varied widely in pricing. 'Our verification of regulatory claims through official databases adds credibility to the findings,' Dr Singh said. According to the study findings, only 23 per cent of products with AYUSH claims and 15 per cent with Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) claims could be verified through official databases. Of the 316 HTCPs, 197 (62.3 per cent) reported at least one form of certification claim. Additionally, 43.7 per cent of products promoted ancillary health claims such as detoxification or anxiety relief. Only 12 of the products displayed age restrictions, and none had functional age verification mechanisms. A small fraction (0.5 per cent) referenced World Health Organization (WHO) affiliation, raising concerns about potentially misleading endorsements. The authors urged e-commerce platforms to implement mandatory health claims verification and functional age-restriction protocols. They added that all products must undergo testing in accredited facilities, such as the National Tobacco Testing Laboratories.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store