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The Hindu
5 days ago
- Health
- The Hindu
Awareness programme for pharmacists on banned veterinary drugs that affect vultures held
An awareness programme for pharmacists to sensitise them about banned veterinary drugs that affect wildlife, specifically endangered vulture species, was held recently at Cairn Hill in Udhagamandalam. The event was organised by Arulagam, a conservation NGO with the participation of the Department of Drug Control, State Forest Department as well as the Department of Animal Husbandry. Pharmacists from 40 pharmacies from Coonoor, Udhagamandalam, Kotagiri, Gudalur, Pandalur and Manjoor in the Nilgiris participated, a press release said. S. Marimuthu, Assistant Director, Coimbatore North Zone, Department of Drug Control, Government of Tamil Nadu, highlighted the swift action taken by the government after the ban on Nimesulide. 'A circular was immediately sent to every available drug outlet,' he stated. 'We conducted raids, ensured immediate return of banned drugs in stock, and revoked licences of pharmacies that violated the ban.' He added that drug inspectors are closely monitoring bulk medicine purchases. Due to regular instructions from Government Health and Environment Secretaries and the Director of the Drug Control Department, 99% of banned drugs are no longer available in retail sales, he said. Meanwhile, M. Dhayanandan, Forest Range Officer, Siriyur, spoke of the synchronised survey conducted for vultures across three States, highlighting the current population and nest counts. He also spoke about the ongoing Forest Department efforts to remove lantana camara plants, continuous monitoring in the nesting areas, compensation for cattle killed by tiger attacks, and awareness programmes for students and other stakeholders, the press release added. S. Bharathidasan, secretary, Arulagam, delivered a presentation titled 'Vultures: Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow.' He spoke of the cause for the sudden decline in vulture population over a short period in India, the current trends, and the steps being taken by Central and State government departments to maintain and restore the population. He also highlighted steps that needed to be taken to increase vulture population and said that if vultures go extinct, that the Nilgiris biosphere will be greatly affected, emphasising the need for collaborative efforts to safeguard the future of vultures. Also present at the event was C. Sreekumar from the Tamil Nadu University of Veterinary Sciences, K. Gopal, president, Nilgiris District Drug Dealers Association, Sridhar, a wildlife zoo veterinarian, as well as volunteers from Arulagam.
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Common supplements and medications could cause liver damage, studies show
As cases of drug-induced liver injury (DILI) are on the rise, experts are warning of the hidden dangers associated with some common medications and supplements. Statistics show that DILI, also known as toxic hepatitis or hepatotoxicity — which is known to be a significant cause of acute liver failure — has been growing in Western countries since the 1960s. Around one-fifth of the total population who are prescribed medications will experience DILI, according to recent research published in the journal Toxicology Reports. Common Daily Vitamin Could Slow Biological Aging, Major Study Suggests Potential triggers of liver injury include herbal products, dietary supplements and medications, the study found. Those with pre-existing liver conditions and nutritional deficiencies are at a higher risk, as are pregnant women. Read On The Fox News App One of the liver's main functions is to break down substances taken orally, including supplements and medications, according to the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG). For some people, the process of metabolizing these substances can be slower, increasing the risk of liver damage. Colorectal Cancer Risk Reduced By This Common Vitamin, Study Suggests Even medications that have been tested for safety and approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) can potentially cause liver injury in rare cases, stated the ACG. Common symptoms of liver disease include nausea, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, generalized itching, dark urine and jaundice, although some people may notice no signs, per the above source. Alcohol Drives Up Liver Transplant Demand In Young People The recent study in Toxicology Reports identified several drugs that are most likely to cause liver injury. Paracetamol (acetaminophen), a common over-the-counter pain reliever Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which are often used to treat headaches, fever and chronic inflammatory disorders Aspirin, a common over-the-counter medication used as a fever-reducer, pain reliever and blood thinner Nimesulide, an NSAID used to relieve pain and reduce fever Methotrexate, an antimetabolite medication that is used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, lymphoma, leukemia and other cancers Corticosteroids, which are used to treat conditions involving inflammation or overactive immune systems Isoniazid, a first-line treatment for tuberculosis Tetracyclines, a class of antibiotics that treat multiple types of bacterial infections Halothane, which is used as a general anaesthetic during surgical procedures Medications aren't the only agents that can cause drug-induced liver injuries. Dr. Marc Siegel, Fox News senior medical analyst, spoke with Fox News Digital about the risks of herbal and dietary supplements (HDS) affecting the liver. "The biggest problem with herbal supplements is that the amount you are taking of active chemicals isn't strictly regulated, so you don't know exactly what you are getting," he said. "And since several of the supplements are metabolized through the liver, there is now an increasing incidence of liver toxicity in users." Cases of DILI linked to herbal or dietary supplements have nearly tripled between 2004 and 2014, according to a 2024 study published in JAMA Network Open. The researchers identified the following most commonly used botanical products known for potential liver toxicity. Turmeric, a common spice added to foods Green tea Ashwagandha, an herb used for stress and anxiety Garcinia cambogia, a popular weight-loss supplement Red yeast rice, which is said to help lower cholesterol levels Black cohosh, a dietary supplement used to relieve menopause symptoms It is estimated that at least 15.6 million U.S. adults have used at least one of these six botanical products within the past 30 days. Common Supplement Could Help You Live Longer, Research Suggests "The most commonly implicated botanical products in the DILIN (Drug-Induced Liver Injury Network) include turmeric, kratom, green tea extract and Garcinia cambogia, with potentially severe and even fatal liver injury," the study stated. Drug-induced liver injury caused by HDS can be severe or even fatal, leading to death or liver transplantation, the researchers noted. Fox News' Siegel also warned against the potential liver-related risks of some of these named supplements. "Turmeric is a natural anti-inflammatory and may be useful in small doses, but can be toxic in large doses," he cautioned. "Garcinia cambogia is very popular, especially as a weight-loss agent, but there is no real evidence that it actually works, and there is no reason to take it, especially with the new GLP-1 drugs." While red yeast rice has cholesterol-lowering statin-type properties, Siegel cautioned that the amount of active chemicals isn't as strictly regulated as approved medications. "I find it useful in some patients who are reluctant to start statins and are looking for a more natural alternative, but I must strictly monitor the amount taken and the effect on the liver," he said. Regarding green tea, Siegel noted that it does have antioxidant properties and can be useful to consume as a beverage (though it has a lot of caffeine) — "but there is no reason whatsoever to take more of it in an extract, where it can be toxic." Click Here To Sign Up For Our Health Newsletter The FDA states on its website that it does regulate dietary supplement products and dietary ingredients, but under "a different set of regulations than those covering 'conventional' foods and drug products." "Manufacturers and distributors of dietary supplements and dietary ingredients are prohibited from marketing products that are adulterated or misbranded," the agency says. "That means that these firms are responsible for evaluating the safety and labeling of their products before marketing to ensure that they meet all the requirements of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act as amended by DSHEA and FDA regulations." For more Health articles, visit Fox News Digital reached out to several researchers and the FDA regarding the rise in drug- and HSD-related liver article source: Common supplements and medications could cause liver damage, studies show
The Hindu
24-05-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Awareness programme on vulture conservation held in Udhagamandalam
Arulagam, a non-governmental organisation, conducted a one-day awareness programme for pharmacists on the banned veterinary drugs that are harmful to vultures, at the Cairn Hill Forest Campus on Saturday. Following the ban on the drugs Diclofenac, Aceclofenac and Ketoprofen, the Government of India has banned the use of 'Nimesulide' for animals from January 1, 2025, intending to protect the endangered 'Paaru' vulture. Protecting the endangered species is a collective responsibility, and for the past 15 years, Arulagam has been actively working alongside the Tamil Nadu Forest Department, Drugs Control Department, and Animal Husbandry Department to prevent the extinction of this rare species in the Nilgiris. During the awareness programme, experts from the Forest Department and the Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (TANUVAS) emphasised the vital role vultures play in the ecosystem and the necessity of spreading awareness among pharmacists to refrain from dispensing the banned drugs, harmful to the species.
New Indian Express
16-05-2025
- Health
- New Indian Express
Vulture safety: DCA to hold awareness meet on banned drugs in Coonoor
CHENNAI: Following a crackdown on veterinary pharmacies for stocking banned non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), the Tamil Nadu Drug Control Administration (DCA) will hold an awareness meet in Coonoor on May 24. Pharmacies in Ooty, Kothagiri, Mettupalayam and Coonoor have been invited to attend the session, which will highlight the ill-effects of NSAIDs on vultures and explain the reasons behind the ban. The move comes after inspections revealed that several outlets were illegally selling Nimesulide and Diclofenac, both of which are linked to the sharp decline in vulture population. 'Licences of two pharmacies were cancelled, and five were suspended. Inquiries are ongoing against five others,' DCA director MN Sridhar told TNIE. The DCA has already initiated action against pharmacies for sale of Diclofenac, a veterinary drug linked to a 97% vulture population crash in India since the 1990s. 'The enforcement has yielded 104 convictions,' he added. The awareness meet is being organised in collaboration with vulture conservation NGO Arulagam. Its co-founder S Bharathidasan said the team visited 43 pharmacies in vulture habitats. Of these, 11 admitted NSAIDs are out of stock but offered to arrange the drugs within a week. Eight had NSAIDs in stock. 'One pharmacy offered a 10% margin on the MRP to the buyer. Twenty two outlets stocked veterinary ointments and sprays but did not carry injectable or bolus medications for cattle, Bharathidasan said. According to the recent synchronised vulture survey, the vulture population in Tamil Nadu and the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve (NBR) has risen from 320 to 390.
Mint
05-05-2025
- Business
- Mint
Drugmakers to face tougher quality rules: Failed a test? Re-do the exam.
New Delhi: Drugmakers failing random quality checks could potentially be deemed guilty until proven innocent under a fresh crackdown by the government on substandard, spurious and adulterated medicines. The Centre plans to suspend the product permission licence issued to a drugmaker for a particular medicine if even a single batch of that medicine is found to be substandard by any government testing laboratory, said two officials, requesting anonymity. In effect, a drugmaker will not be allowed to continue manufacturing a particular medicine after just withdrawing a failed batch, as is the current practice. India's Drugs Rules, 1945 has no provision on actions to be taken if a batch of medicines fails a quality test, apart from those specific medicines being declared as not-of-standard-quality (NSQ). A drugmaker's licence for that particular drug or product is suspended only if an investigation establishes wrongdoing on the part of the company—an often lengthy process. The Union government's proposed rule changes would also have a bearing on the global pharmaceutical industry. India, which manufactures 60,000 generic brands across 60 therapeutic categories, is the largest global supplier of generic drugs, accounting for about 20% of the global supply. Given the lacuna, state governments resort to ad-hoc actions, and in the process fail to check subpar manufacturing practices that have dented India's image as the 'world's pharmacy". States and union territories are empowered to take action against a drugmaker if a batch of medicines fails a quality check. This includes asking a manufacturer to withdraw a product or suspending the product permission licence if an investigation finds the drugmaker at fault, but these are often not implemented uniformly. 'According to the new plan, once a drug is declared NSQ, the company cannot produce another batch while the investigation is going on, the loopholes are fixed, corrective measures are taken, and regulatory authorities are satisfied with the corrective measures," said one of the officials cited above. 'This is a lengthy process and may take many years." Queries sent to the health ministry spokesperson remained unanswered. Also read | Centre orders thorough safety review of painkiller Nimesulide for adults The Union health ministry will shortly issue a draft notification based on recommendations from India's top drug panel, the Drugs Technical Advisory Board (DTAB), according to the second of the two officials mentioned above. Accordingly, the government plans to amend the Drugs Rules to allow for the immediate suspension of the licence for a medicine that has failed a quality check until the company submits a corrective action and preventive action (CAPA) plan, which has to be approved. All states and union territories will have to follow the new rules, the official said. The suspension on the product licence will only be revoked after a root cause analysis and implementation of corrective measures, according to DTAB's minutes of a meeting on the issue, which Mint has reviewed. 'This is a very important decision taken by the top drug panel," said the first official quoted above. 'Right now, the provision is whenever any drug is identified as NSQ, the licensing authority tells the company that this particular drug batch has failed the quality test, and you (company) withdraw the product from the market. And later an investigation is carried out. In such a case, the manufacturer can go on producing the subsequent batches of the drug. So, there is no restriction on the manufacturer," the official said. Also read | IPC raises concern over five lifesaving drugs for causing adverse reaction The government's plan has come as a shocker to India's $50 billion pharmaceutical industry, which insists that a particular batch of medicines could fail a random test for reasons other than poor quality. 'We respect the DTAB's decision as we understand that they are trying to do something to control NSQ. However, we don't think it is a very good idea to suspend the product permission license as soon as a drug is declared NSQ. There needs to be a thorough investigation before that)," said Dr. Viranchi Shah, national spokesperson for the Indian Drugs Manufacturers Association, which represents more than 1,000 pharmaceutical companies. 'A product can fail due to many reasons such as analytical error, labelling issue, storage or manufacturers issues, or it could be spurious (and may not be manufactured by the original company," Shah said. 'The basic principle to suspend the product permission license is ok until CAPA is done, and we are not against that. However, it should be done with proper checks and balances, and the root cause has to be identified." The government's plan, however, assumes significance considering that 2,988 drug samples were declared to be 'not of standard quality' in 2023-24, and 282 drug samples were found to be spurious or adulterated, according to a response by the government in Parliament. 'Suspending the product permission license is the right thing to do," said Dr. R.V. Ashokan, past president of the Indian Medical Association. 'If a manufacturer cannot ensure the quality of the drug, then they should not do business in this area. Already there is no control on spurious drugs and regulation has failed to stop that. At least in the case of NSQ, the regulatory authorities have the licence with them to control manufacturers." Also read | For small drugmakers playing fast and loose with quality, trouble is on way
