Things to Consider Before Buying Medicines Online

In the last ten years, online pharmacies have taken the internet by storm and they are growing in a steady pace each day. Ordering medicines online can save you a great deal of time, effort and money. Online pharmacies sell medicines at half the price of your local medicine shops and they offer attractive discounts to customers. Not only that, you can sit in the comfort of your home and get your medicines delivered to your doorstep.

Nowadays you don’t think twice before buying or ordering something off the internet, but before taking the plunge of buying medicines online, you need to keep certain things in mind. Not all online pharmacies are to be trusted. Wrong or counterfeit medicines can put our health at risk, so before putting your trust on an online pharmacy, make sure you have the following things cleared up-

Is the pharmacy legal?

There are numerous online pharmacies operating online, but not all of them are legitimate. To make sure the pharmacy is not fraudulent check the privacy and security policies of the website. If they sell drugs without prescriptions, then the site is definitely not legal. Also they should have a physical address and contact information on their website.

Is your personal information kept private?

See to it that any personal information you provide is kept private and not sold by the website. Refrain from sharing any personal information like address, social security number, credit card information, and medical history unless you are sure that they will not be sold or misused in any way.

Do they have a licensed pharmacist?

Any legitimate online pharmacy would have a licensed pharmacist working for them who should be available to answer any questions or queries you might have. If you have doubts, call the store and speak to the pharmacist yourself.

Do the deals seem too good to be true?

If the medicines are being sold at incredibly low prices, then something may be wrong with them. Extremely low prices may suggest that the drug is fake or not approved by the FDA. So steer clear of super bargains and dirt cheap prices when buying medicines online.

Are they based in your country?

It is best to ensure that the online pharmacy that you are buying from is based in your country. The chances of fraud are more when you order from dubious foreign pharmacies that don’t have proper validation.

Are the medicines genuine?

Some illegal websites may be selling fake drugs or drugs that have been tampered with. If you find the seal of your medicine broken, if the medicine looks or smells funny to you, if the packaging looks different- do not consume the medicine and report the website.

How popular are they?

Since there are so many online pharmacies to choose from, it is best to compare and analyse before making a choice. Ask your friends or family and research online to find out if an online pharmacy is trustworthy or not. Word of mouth can sometimes help when buying medicines online. You can also ask your family doctor or health care physician for a recommendation.

Once you have done the necessary research and made sure the pharmacy is certified, you are safe to purchase your medicines online. Don’t forget to have a talk with your doctor first!

Read More

5 Herbs That You Should Be Making Medicines Of For Home Based Treatments

Since ancient times, human beings have sought the refuge of medicinal plants and herbs to treat their illnesses. Even a few hundred years ago when allopathic medicines and treatments were not that rampant, people used  extracts from plants and herbs to produce medicines that helped them recover from common ailments like cough and cold to more serious ones like jaundice and malaria. Still now, ayurvedic treatment is one of the most sought after medicinal alternative to allopathic and many people place their trust on it, mainly because natural remedies don’t have side effects and are pretty inexpensive as well.

While herbal medicines are readily available online or in markets, you can make your job easier by growing the herbs at home- on your windowsill, balcony, porch, backyard or even the roof. This way you can enjoy their benefits whenever you need them and you don’t even have to spend money to buy them.

Here we have listed five extremely beneficial medicinal herbs that you can grow in your herb garden. They don’t take up a lot of space, so you can plant them in little pots and watch them grow.

1. Peppermint- Mint needs a beautiful sunny weather to thrive. Nevertheless it can grow in shaded areas too. It should be kept in a sunken pot on its own because it grows profusely and can suffocate the other plants. Remember mint loves water! So don’t forget to water it everyday.

Medicinal properties- Rich in Vitamin A and C, antioxidants, manganese, iron. 

Benefits- Soothes tummy troubles, relieves headaches, reduces inflammation. Can be used in food or infused in tea.

2. Aloe Vera- Aloe Vera is a wonder plant with multiple uses which has gained popularity in the beauty industry as a healing and moisturising agent. Aloe Vera grows under normal conditions in bright sunny weather. The gel that is extracted from its leaves can be applied on the skin externally and its juice can be consumed orally.

Medicinal properties- It contains minerals, Vitamins, amino acids and active enzymes. 

Benefits- Acts as an anti-inflammatory on the skin, useful for rashes, acne and eczema. When consumed it aids digestion, helps in weight loss, constipation and improves circulation.

3. Chamomile- Chamomile flower is known around the world for its usefulness in herbal teas but it has many other benefits too. This perennial plant requires occasional watering and needs to be placed close to the sun.

Medicinal properties- Rich in minerals, copper, zinc, iron, salicylic acid and Vitamins C and B1. 

Benefits- When added to tea, chamomile facilitates sleep, relaxes the mind and muscles and reduces stress. It is an anti-inflammatory that can be used on the skin to cure rashes and infections.

4. Lemon balm- This herb has a distinct minty citrus smell and can grow at an alarming rate, so the stems need to be trimmed regularly.

Medicinal properties- It is a natural antioxidant rich in flavonoids, rosmarinic and phenolic compounds. 

Benefits- When rubbed against the skin, the leaves heal insect bites, rashes, sores and herpes. The juice is beneficial for headaches, insomnia, fever, colds and depression.

5. Basil- This medicinal herb is used frequently in cooking. It cannot withstand cold so do not keep it outside in cold temperatures. Also, it requires regular watering and plenty of sun.

Medicinal properties- Contains antioxidants, vitamins, calcium and iron. 

Benefits- Basil is used to cure gas, lack of appetite, flatulence, cuts, headaches and kidney stones.

However before planting any herb, make sure the weather conditions are favourable otherwise the plant will not thrive like you want it to.

Read More

Study Reveals Sitting Long Can Cause Liver Disease Also

As of now, it was very much known that sitting for long hours could cause obesity, heart disease and even diabetes, but recent study from North Korea shows that it can increase the risk of liver diseases also.

Researchers found in the study that people sitting for 10 hours or more daily have 9% greater chance of developing Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) than those who sit lesser than that or 5 hours on average.

Physical activity was also found to be interlinked with the development of NAFLD. Persons who are physically active are 20% less likely to grow the disease than those are less active, according to according to the study published on Sept. 15 in the Journal of Hepatology.

Dr. Seungho Ryu, professor of occupational and environmental medicine at Kangbuk Samsung Hospital in South Korea and lead author of the study, told Live Science that in today’s date sitting has been increased tremendously. People are spending more time sitting in front of computer or television. More than 139,000 men and women were examined within the age range of 39.9 years for the study. They have reported their level of physical activity and sitting time as a part of the survey. The study suggests that regular physical activity does not fully protect against the risks associated with long sitting, he said. If the results of the study are confirmed, it will be important to encourage people to both increase their physical activity and reduce their sitting time to reduce the risk of developing NAFLD, he added.

Michael Trenell, a professor of metabolism and lifestyle medicine at Newcastle University in England wrote in an editorial that accompanied the study in the journal that human body is designed to move not to sit idle which is characterized by low muscle activity and has direct impact on physiology. "What remains less certain is the effect of inactive behavior on the liver," he said.

Read More

Study Says Happiest Parents Have Many Kids

According to a new study in Australia, parents are happier and much more satisfied with at least four children. Despite of the chaos and expense, parents are in delight to have more children, Daily Signal reports.

Study Head Bronwyn Harman tells ABC News Australia that in case of big family they have social support within the family only. It is most beneficial for the kids itself, as they get never bored, they always find partners to play with and most importantly they get independence early on. This study is based on a total interview of 950 parents over a period of 5 years to assess flexibility, happiness level and social support.

As per the study lead, few parents deliberately planned out a large family as because they could get more reasons to celebrate and experience the joy of togetherness. Although Harman thinks that they should be stressed out, but as per them the house could always be full of laughter and they will never feel stressed out.

This article originally appeared on Newser: “Want Satisfaction? Have at Least 4 Children”

Read More

Calculate Your Heart’s Age

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that about 69 million adults have hearts that are 5 years older than their actual age. It has been found that most of the people are not as young at their heart as they believe they are.

CDC found 40% of adults had hearts that were five or more years older than their actual ages using a machine calculator which measures age, BMI, blood pressure. As per the CDC Director Tom Frieden to reveal a person’s risk of heart attack is best measured by the heart risk calculator. The Heart Age calculator test is designed to give you an overall idea of the health of your heart, and a general indication of how lifestyle related factors may affect your heart health. This test is not intended to be a medical diagnostic. But it will give you a good general indication of whether there’s more you can do to take care of your heart.

Heart age is an understandable simple tool for people to understand their heart risk," Frieden said. This type of study is the very first analysis of its kind which was examined on half a million adults aged between 30 and 74.

As per CDC, people can reduce their heart disease risk and make it younger by regular exercise, diet control and not smoking. More than 75% of heart disease cases can be prevented with certain lifestyle changes.

Read More

Parental Care - Biggest Sacrifice One Can Make

“Parenting is the biggest sacrifice one can make, it’s putting your life on hold to fulfill the promise of your children’s tomorrow – Frederica Ehimen

To become a parent is a bliss. Parents only know that a child is an invaluable gem showered on them. A child is a God’s blessing that is bestowed on every parent. Parents are like angels to their children. They protect, nurture, and take care of their children till the last breath of their lives. “Parental care” - the term is used to describe the legal duty of a parent towards his or her children. If you are a mother, you will automatically be expected to provide care for your biological children. If you are a father, you will only usually be expected provide care for your children if you are married to their mother and/or listed on their birth certificates.

Your parental responsibilities starts from the very day your child takes birth. Your child is your precious one. So, to carry on the responsibilities for your child is your first and foremost priority. The first thing that comes to our mind after child birth is to name the child. Choose a name for your special one. Your child needs a comfortable home. So, provide him or her with a home. The preaching of discipline should start from the very early age of the child. Teach the child the basics of discipline and educate him or her how to maintain it to the core. This will be of a long term help for the child. Providing education for the child is a must. Provide the child with the right education that will help him become a better human being in the future. Determine the religion of the child. It is very important for the child to know his or her religion. The child should be provided with any necessary medical treatment. This will keep the child free from any kind of diseases thus keeping him or her healthy and strong. Disclose confidential information about the child only where it’s necessary. Take responsibility for your child’s property. Protect your child’s property and take adequate responsibility in handling them. If the situation demands, appoint a legal guardian for your child. Financial support for the child is very essential and provide him or her with it till he is attending the age to be financially free.

If you need to provide parental care over a child you do not reside with, then, you will not necessarily have a right to make contact with him or her. In such a case, the other parent must keep you updated with regards to your child’s physical and emotional well-being and personal progress.

If you do not have parental responsibility over your child, you will need to apply to the court for parental care. To apply for parental care, you must have a connection to the child. As for example, you must be a father, stepmother, stepfather or second female parent. If you are a father or second female parent who desires to provide parental care, you must complete a parental responsibility agreement, while if you are a step-parent, you must complete a step-parent parental responsibility agreement. You must then take your agreement to your nearest family proceedings court, along with the child’s birth certificate and formal proof of your identity. After visiting the court, you should send two copies of your agreement to the Principal Registry of the Family Division.

If you wish to provide parental care to your child, but the mother does not agree to your application, you will need to apply for a court order through your nearest family proceedings court. When considering your application, the court will take into account factors such as your commitment and attachment to your child, alongside the reasons for applying for parental responsibility. The court will then accept or reject your application, based on the best interests of your child.

Your parental responsibilities will decrease as your child grows older. Once your child reaches 18 years of age you will cease to have parental care over him or her. But there are some areas in which you will want to retain financial responsibility for your child, for example, when your child applies for a university grant.

So, enjoy parenthood to the fullest. To become a parent is a blessing in itself. So, carry out your parental responsibilities for your little one. Your little bundle of joy seeks your parental care. So, extend your warmth to your apple of the eye. Only under your shadow, the little one will turn up into that wonderful human being that you always dream of.

Read More

Stroke More Probable With Long Working Hours

A toll on long working hours has recently been revealed in a major study published in the Lancet medical journal that people who are working long hours extending normal 8 hours are more prone to stroke.

There is a regular office going rush in everyone’s life after waking up in morning. Then the whole day passes by with work pressure. There is actually no way if the office leaving time already exceeds due to heavy pressure at work. Which results in the reduction in pace of life unconsciously. Though it sounds unreal but the same has been released in a journal stating that 55 hours or more work per week can put a full stop to anyone’s life.

As per the Lancet Journal people doing more than 55 hours of work can be at risk of increased cardiovascular diseases which results in many heart related disease at young age only. This largest experiment has been run for long 7 years on more than 5 lakhs 28 thousand men and women. 

Now it’s clear that people working more than 48 hours increases the risk by 10 % and the risk increases by 20 % for the people who work for more than 55 hours per week.

Experts suggests that people working for long hours should keep a regular check on their blood pressure. Dr. Mika Kivimaki, from University College London suggests that people need to be more conscious to maintain a healthy lifestyle instead of long working hours or long sitting. It leads to stress also which can make people tired and find less time for regular exercise.

All the experts and doctors shares a common view that not only work pressure but along with it alcohol consuming, smoking, stress altogether rings the alarm of heart stroke.

Read More

Light Drinking Also Can Cause Risk Of Cancer

The less alcohol you drink, the lower the risk of cancer. Alcohol itself leads to destruction and deadly diseases. There is not a single type of alcohol which is better or worse. But everything is similar. Not everyone who has a drinking habit will grow cancer but researchers say that a moderate or even light drinking can lead to cancer - up to one drink a day for women and two drinks a day for men.

The research in the British Medical Journal looked at two large US studies involving more than 100,000 adults. The experts are saying that intake of alcohol should be cut down and there must be some alcohol free days. There is no particular limit of the growing risk of cancer, but if a person is drinking within a limit then the risk will decrease. As a whole, the people who are more habituated to alcohol develop more risk towards certain cancers.

Each and every type of alcohol is linked with many type of cancers like mouth, throat, bowel, liver and last but not the least is breast cancer. As per a new research it is revealed that smoking and drinking together may increase the risk of cancer more dangerously. It is also proved that cutting down the intake of alcohol may reduce the increased rate of cancer.

NHS (National Health Service) suggests that in general 3 to 4 units per day is allowed for men and 2 to 3 units are allowed for women. As per American studies light to moderate drinking is referred to 30 gm of alcohol for men and 15 gm for women.

Cancer research UK, says that they want their patients to live longer as well as to reduce the regular bad habits of smoking or drinking for a healthier life.

Dr Jurgen Rehm, of Centre of Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto revealed that people who have cancer in heredity should be more cautious regarding the intake as well as need to drink in certain limitation.

Read More

Research Reveals Spicy Foods Are Helpful For Longer Life

A new research just released this week focuses on the spicy food that too which can be supportive for your long life. Fiery foods like red chili peppers can burn your tongue but at the same time astonishingly it may give you a kick for longer life.

According to Lu Qi, associate professor of Harvard school of public health they have accumulated enough evidence from most of the researches which shows a huge benefit of spices on human health.

Based on this research there have been many studies followed in China. As per their one study, among 20,224 people who had a regular habit of having spicy food had a 14% lower risk of death than people who had spicy food less than once a week. People consuming spicy foods frequently also have a lower risk of cancer, ischaemic heart and respiratory system diseases.

According to the research program fresh and dried chili peppers were the most common spicy sources. Capsaicin, a bioactive component present in chili peppers is the source of benefits which increases fat burning and also helps in fighting infection and stimulate kidneys, heart and lungs. 

Few risks are also there related to spicy foods which triggers overactive bladders. There are also some of them which have identified by the doctors as irritants of women.

To be more precise, an association has been found between spicy food and death which require more scientific researches. It is not like having a plenty spicy food will make you live longer. But the value of a spicy food also depends on the quantity and how it is cooked ultimately.

Read More

Ayurvedic Herbal Medicine And Chinese Herbal Medicine – Know The Relation Between Them

Of late, ayurvedic & herbal products have gained immense popularity. You will be glad to note that these ayurvedic as well as herbal products have gained immense popularity in the world. Ayurveda is one of the ancient traditions of treatment in India and can be translated into English as "science of life". However, this is an extremely poor representation of the term!

The term ayurveda actually tells us as to which substances, actions and qualities are life enhancing and which are not. Thus, you will be glad to note that Ayurveda is actually an instruction for enhancing your way of life. You will also be glad to note that ayurvedic medicines also have relevance to Chinese traditional medicine. You will find that both the systems are instructional and their main aim is to enhance the quality of life. Most importantly, both of these ways of treatment are mainly focused at the treatment of specific diseases through ways that effectively cured diseases in the ancient times.

The most commonly-used ayurvedic & herbal products in the most reputed medical systems of India and China, are somewhat overlapping. In both these medicinal systems, the herbs are described as per the symptoms that they are capable to treat. Apart from this, the descriptions are given as per their warming or cooling nature. Moreover, you will also find information about the influences of these drugs on the body humours. The main differences between ayurvedic herbal medicine and Chinese herbal medicine is about the categories of disharmony – especially the diagnostic as well as therapeutic groupings.

Here, it should be noted that in case of Chinese traditional medicine, major importance is given to yin and yang and the five elements along with the depictions of certain bodily humors like qi, blood, moisture as well as essence along with the internal organ systems (zangfu). In case of ayurvedic medicines, the overall system is quite complex. You will mainly find the dominance of three dosha or tridosha - kapha, pitta, vata. All these functions within the body is described mainly depending upon the stages of transformation rather than any functional organs or physical structures.

But again, one should also remember that depending upon these influences on health as well as diseases, many a times, forces Ayurvedic medicines to become quite a simplistic system. On the other hand, Chinese medicine kept itself away from the philosophical binds by mainly working on the existing form. Ayurvedic & herbal products and medicines did not have same kind of transformation and thus at times it suffers from certain inconsistencies that actually dates back to a much earlier age.

In today's world, various herbal formulas have been developed today relying on different combinations of modern as well as traditional indications for various uses of ayurvedic & herbal products. This has made both ayurvedic medicines as well as Chinese herbal medicines a better treatment option for many patients. A lot of diseases are well cured with ayurvedic medicines as well as Chinese herbal medicines. Ample researches are going on in order to find cure for terminal diseases by using the medicinal properties of these herbs and plants.

It should also be noted here that whether it is the Chinese herbs or the ayurvedic plants, the chances of side effects of these medicines are quite less or so as to say nil. If proper promotional activities are taken into consideration, then these medicines will help in curing a large number of diseases.

Read More

10 Best Ayurvedic Herbs For Healthy Living

Ayurveda is probably the ancient healing process that was extensively used in the countries like India, China, Egypt and other countries. It is said that these countries have brought revolution in the world of medicines and treatments. Ayurveda treatments were world famous and the most important thing is that this reputation is still intact. In fact it is increasing day by day with more and more people are following Ayurveda for treatment. Following are the top 10 Ayurvedic herbs which are easily available and can help us to live a healthy life:

Turmeric: We can find this name in Sanskrit where it is famously mentioned as Haridra. It is probably the most popular herb that is maintain its popularity till date. It works like wonder in curing various ailments, injuries and skin problems. According to Ayurveda, it destroys three doshas like Kapha, Pitta and Vata. It helps us to live a healthy lifestyle.

Aloe vera: Aloe vera is known as one of the most important herbs that works like wonder in various types of healing processes. We all know that it creates magic on our skin but very few of us know that it keeps acidity, indigestion, joint pains, piles, hunger pangs and other health issues at bay.

Neem: Neem is the considered as the power house of all healing qualities. It is a natural cleanser which drains out toxins from our body. We extensively use various ayurvedic and herbal products that consists Neem in our daily life to cure various problems like stomach problems or eruptions, pimples and other skin problems.

Holy Basil: Holy Basil is famously known as Tulsi and it is considered as one of the holiest as well as the mostly used ayurvedic herbs in India. It is a boon for the various respiratory issues, fevers, cough and cold.

Garlic: Garlic is one of those ayurvedic herbs which is used all over the world. Not only in ayurvedic and herbal products but it is used in our daily cooking. It is extremely beneficial for shedding calories, controlling cholesterol, renewing dead body tissues, maintaining good eyesight, reuniting the broken bones.

Amla: We all know that Amla is good for hair thanks to the TV commercials that promote hair care products. But apart from hair care, it also cures the burning sensation in the eyes and the diseases that occurs due to excessive body heat. It has a cooling effect that helps to keep the body temperature under control.

Brahmi: In India Brahmi has an important role to play in the lives of the students as it increases the brain power that helps to memorize their syllabus. Brahmi comes in various forms such as tonics, capsules and others.

Ashwagandha: Aswagandha is considered as the power house of the herbs as it comes with multiple health assistance such as relief from stress, join pains, offering peaceful sleep and complete rejuvenation.

Sandalwood: Sandalwood is famous for its fragrance and is used in various beauty and skin care products. It is one of the commonly used herb among the people suffering from various skin issues like pimple, pigmentations etc.

Saffron: it is one of the most expensive herbs available in the world which is being used as the skin whitening elements since the ancient era.

All these herbs are available in various forms. Sometimes we use them directly but mostly we consume them in the form of various Ayurvedic and herbal products. Before using we should check what kind of herbs we really need or whether they are at all present in the products.

Read More

Surgical Instruments – Know How To Care And Maintain Them

Healthcare needs are increasing day by day. Super specialty hospitals are coming up on a regular basis. However, an important thing that needs to be taken care of includes taking care of surgical instruments.  Unless you properly care for these instruments, infections might spread and patients can even lose their life. Thus, it will be better to know how you should care for the surgical instruments. 

Caring for brand new instruments

Yes, even brand new surgical care products and instruments need the required cleaning and caring. Before you use a brand new equipment, it should be cleaned and sterilized first. You should make sure that you properly remove the protective caps as well as the protective films from the instruments. Unless they are removed completely, you will not be able to use them. So, make sure that you remove the case of chisels as well as microsurgical instruments. 

Motor systems and hand-pieces – Cleaning, Disinfection and Sterilization

You should note here that motor systems as well as the hand-pieces require ample maintenance. They are known all over the world for their reliability. These instruments go through premature wear and malfunctions. These problems can be avoided if you follow the instructions that has been mentioned on the cover for maintenance of the instruments. In case you find that the devices require repair or maintenance in the long run, then you should get in touch with the manufacturer and they will help you with the process. Many a times, the local agents of these manufacturers will be able to help you repair these instruments. 

After use maintenance and cleaning

After using the surgical care products, cleaning and maintenance is very important. Here are some of the major steps that you need to take in order to keep your surgical care products in the best form:

• When you are machine cleaning the surgical care products, you need to place them in a wire basket. This is good for the entire cleaning process. You will have to make sure that the cleaning solution and water reaches every part of the machine.
• While cleaning your instruments, you should completely dismantle the instruments. This will help you in cleaning them in the best possible way.
• Whether you clean the instruments manually or through machine, make sure that you follow all the required instructions as mentioned on the packaging.
• If required, while cleaning, you can treat the surgical care products with Ultrasound. However, make sure that such a cleaning procedure is mentioned in the manufacture's instructions. 

Steam sterilization

Cleaning is not the end of the process. You will also have to sterilize the surgical care products. Steam sterilization is extremely important in this regard. However, you will have to follow the validated steam sterilization process. For example, while using the fractional vacuum method, you will have to use the 134°C/2-bar program for sterilization which should have a minimum hold time of at least 5 minutes.

Store your surgical care products in the best way

Storage of these instruments is very important or they can get damaged. You should place the instruments with the fine working end, microsurgery instruments, etc. in a suitable storage racks. You can secure the instruments with lock as well.

Hopefully, now you have a clear idea how to cleanse and maintain your surgical care products. Unless the instruments are safe, there always remains a chance of catching infection.

Read More

Few Effective Ways to Start A Pharmacy Business In India

Pharmacy is one of those businesses which has a very minimal chance to face any crisis. Therefore, people are moving towards starting up pharmacy business in India considering the lowest risk factor. But launching a pharmacy business is not that an easy task. If you are seriously thinking of starting of your own pharmacy business then you can get two options: either you can take over an existing pharmacy or franchise or you can start from the scratch. The pharmacy services are available in both online as well as offline. But this business these days is no more limited to only selling and buying medicines. Rather expert customer services, home delivery and free consultations are also available at modern pharmacies. If you are not an experienced businessman or if you do not have any experience in pharmacy business then you can also try these following steps which can guide you thoroughly in starting up:

The easiest thing for a newcomer to start the retail business by taking a franchise of any renowned and existing pharmacy. It can help you to get the entire setup done starting from funding to location hunt without much effort along with all the modern facilities offered by the mother company. They can even help you in hiring licensed employees and pharmacists to assist you in business and in making contacts with the reputed drug dealers of that particular area. Apart from that you can also get the benefits of being a part of a reputed pharmacy brand. Sometimes it becomes difficult to make your place in the business. But taking a franchise of a reputed brand can make your business popular right from the beginning thanks to the goodwill of the main company.

If you love to take up challenges then it can be a great option for you to start the pharmacy business from the scratch. Though it is a bit difficult and needs lots of time and effort but it is not impossible either. In this process you need to do everything starting from the location hunting to building rapport with the drug dealers, doctors all by yourself. The most difficult part of this business is to get license from local health centre, Food and Drug Department, Drug Enforcement Administration department. Additionally, you may need to hire licensed pharmacists if you do not act as a principal pharmacist in your pharmacy.

It can always be a convenient option to start pharmacy business with other like-minded persons on a partnership basis. This idea can be helpful especially if you are working on a tight budget. If this is on your card then you should always go for the partners who has sound idea on funding, working as pharmacists. This combined talents and efforts can make your business successful within no time.

These are the few popular ways to start a pharmacy business. Any of these idea can help you to make your business successful. If any of these does not work for you then you can also go for another option i.e. buying a successfully running pharmacy. Buying a pharmacy running for a long time and is popular among the customers and the drug dealers can be extremely beneficial for you.

Online pharmacy India has become a popular trend now a day. Therefore you can also try your hand in this if you are expert enough and have a sound knowledge in both pharmaceutical as well as technical knowledge.

Read More

Tips To Buy Medicines Online And Avail Discounts

Buying medicines online have become a very popular trend in India. People these days have become too busy to visit pharmacies to buy medicines. Not only medicines the scenario is same for everything starting from books to clothes. All these are easily available online these days and we take full advantage of the advancement of technology to reduce our tasks. Though online shopping is a kind of luxury to us, but there are many who are completely unable to buy medicine from the local pharmacies on their own. They do not have any other option than buying medicines online. Apart from that there are few reasons like home delivery, extra discounts which attract the customers most. But before you start shopping for medicines online you should keep the following things in mind.

Discounted price: Most of all online pharmacies offer huge discounts on different brands. The average discount price can vary from 15% - 25%. There are many sites where you can also do some bargains as well. But always remember do not trust those which offer too much discounts like flat 50% or more than that. Because there are certain loose which all the legal pharmacies have to follow and that set the limitation of the discount percentage which they should not cross.

Compare sites: Before placing your order in a particular site it is suggested that you should check various other sites to check the availability and the prices of the medicines. There are many sites which offer more discounts than the other. You can go for them but only after checking their authorization and other reliability factors.

Other services: Apart from discounts you should also check for the other services they offer such as shipping charges, home delivery, exchange or return facility or free consultations. These are some of the most attractive features of the online pharmacies which drag the customers towards them. Check out whether they offer free home delivery within the stipulated time. It would be great if you buy medicines online from a pharmacy that is located near to your house. Otherwise they may add shipping charges. Sometimes many online pharmacy offer fee consultations to the patients if they are not sure about the medicines that will work for them. But if you are buying prescribed medicine for any particular health issue then it would be better if you stick to what is mentioned. Even if you go for a replacement, you should check it with your doctor.

Physical presence: try to go for online medicine shop that has a physical presence in your locality or country. It would also confirm the reliability factor of the online store. It can also get you big discounts also. It the offline store offers bigger discounts then you can also negotiate sometimes with the online store.

Online pharmacies have become a good option to buy medicines online. It spares us from standing in the long queue, offers great discounts, and above all it delivers all the medicines at our doorsteps. We have discussed a few effective tips which can help us in saving money while at the same time opting for the reliable websites. Finally, it is always advised that we should never compromise with the quality of the medicines to save a few bucks as it can put our health at risk.

Read More

Preventing Chronic Diseases From Vitamin And Mineral Supplements

We do not depend solely depend on the natural diets to keep ourselves feet and healthy these days. Apart from the natural foods we also take various vitamin and mineral supplements which we think may keep ourselves healthy and prevent us from any chronic diseases. We often use various supplements without knowing what they actually do to our health or whether these are at all required. But we should definitely know whether these supplements claiming to be contained with sufficient vitamins and nutrition really help to prevent chronic diseases or not before consuming them blindly. It is time to dig deeper and take out what lies within.

We can find many doctors saying that the Vitamins and minerals and other nutrient supplements are of no use in building our health or prevent any diseases. Rather most of them opine that we can consume enough vitamins and minerals from our daily diets. Though it is not that these supplements are complete waste of money, but if necessary they can work as additional supplements in case we fall short of our required nutrition. These types of supplements come in various forms and that includes capsules, syrups or in powdered forms. But the most common form is probably the capsules which are known as multivitamin tablets. There are no proof that these capsules or the other multivitamin nutrients actually do good to human health rather various studies since the past two years shows that these are more harmful instead.

How many of you have heard that a certain study has opines in favour of consuming additional supplements to keep yourself healthy and fit? Probably none of you. But if I ask you that how many of you have heard that these supplements are not at all good for health then I suppose most of you will raise your hands. Unfortunately, it is true to some extent. In fact, many studies all over the world involving the effects of nutrient supplements have shown that these can be dangerous for your health. A recent study has shown that intake of these supplements put our health at risk increasing the chances of stroke, cancers and others diseases.  On the other hand another study on a group of Chinese and French people showed that consuming of these nutrients have prevented cancers in both French and Chinese men but not in the women.

But there are a few supplements which can work as good substitutes. One can consume Vitamin A, C, D, E supplements, Fish oil supplements, Enzyme C0Q-10 or Selenium if necessary. Though the medical experts have taken neutral position on vitamin and mineral supplements the companies that manufacture theses multivitamins worldwide are not quite satisfied with all these negative hypes as it has to some extent effected their business. These companies have invested around $25 billion in these products. But none of them have mentioned the potential side effects of these items on their product descriptions. It would probably be good if these companies also come under the same rule as the other pharmaceutical medicines where the detailed of the products as well as the probable side effects are mentioned clearly.

Read More

Tips To Choose The Best Online Chemist Shop

Our love for online shopping is growing considerably with the time. It started with books and clothes but people these days are not hesitating to even buy medicines online. But it is not always that they do not have time to visit pharmacies, sometimes it can also happen that people staying alone and suffering from severe health issues do not have the capability to visit medicine shop and buy medicines physically all by themselves. These people mostly depend on the online chemists India which take order online and deliver the medicines at their doorsteps. But sometimes many people faces various problems which sometimes put their health at risk. The problem becomes serious if it is with prescribed drugs. Therefore, it is necessary to keep a check of a few mandatory things before placing order to a particular online pharmacy portal in India.

Authorization:  before choosing an online pharmacy one should check whether that particular shop is authorized to deliver medicines or not. You should check the website of the shop thoroughly to know how long they are into this business and their awards and accolades and certification. It would be great if the online store also has offline stores. Else you can also check out with the others who buy medicines from the same portal to know about their service and reliability.

Presence: Pharmacy stores come under emergency services which should be available for the customers 24x7. While choosing an online chemist India you should always check whether their service is available 24x7. Apart from that you should also be aware of their location. It would be good if they located near to where you reside. Otherwise, shipping of the medicines may take longer time and more shipping cost and it can be a problem fin case of some emergency medicines.

Service quality: As you do while visiting local grocery store, you should also do the same while choosing an online chemist India for delivering your medicines.  If you are still not sure what I am talking about then I must tell you that you should first check the quality of the services the particular online store chosen by you actually offers. First you should know whether they offer exchange facilities or refund policy. Check out the service quality of the customer acre desk and whether they are capable enough to satisfy your queries or whether the delivery boys are trustworthy.

Large Setup: Always go for the online shop that has a big set up. In most cases the small inventories face shortage or limitations of emergency drugs.

Consultation: Always go for the site which has a large set up and also provides free consultation from the expert physicians. Sometimes you may not find some medicines that you are looking for. It mostly happens in case of some emergency medicines which are not always available. In that case you can also seek for some assistance from the helpline of that online porta so that they can suggest some substitutes till they find the actual ones.

These are the few essential thing that should always be on your check list before placing your medicine orders. Lastly always keep in mind that do not ever disclose your personal information including your bank account or credit card passwords while registering or placing orders even if they want. It can lead to the identity theft in future.

Read More

Get Complete Information On Medicine

Of late, you might have found that different people suffer from different types of diseases. Fever, cough and cold have become a regular thing though there are other serious diseases as well. Thus, medicines have become an important part of our lives. Though doctors who prescribe the medicines normally let you know the utility of the medicines, it is essential to know that medicine information on your own as well in order to be on the safer side. Many people might develop side effects due to medicines that even the doctors might have not thought of. When you try to buy medicines from the local medicine shop, they might not be able to help you know about the utility, contents as well as side effects of the medicine. Thus, you might be at a loss and at a danger of facing side effects!

Buying medicines have now grown easier with the coming up of online medical websites. These websites will help you in getting ample medicine information. Most importantly, you can sit at home and order your medicines from the comfort of your home. Apart from this, you can get additional discounts while purchasing the medicines online. This will help you save your hard earned money. All you need to do is to attach a scanned copy of your prescription and the details of your doctor while placing the order for medicines. 

Sastasundar is one of the popular websites helping people to buy medicines as well as various Over The Counter (OTC) products. Placing medicine orders are very easy here. To place orders for your medicine, you should click on the "Order Medicine" section. Search for the medicines and add to the cart. The price and the discount will be showed to you. While the bill or the invoice is generated, you will find a separate "eye" like symbol where you can get all the medicine information in detail. When you click on medicine information, you will come to know of its generic name as well as get an overall details of the medicine. You will also get to know about the right purpose of the medicine. For example, whether it is to be consumed for hypertension, stomach ache, headache or depression, etc. You will also be able to know about the right dosage of the medicine to be consumed. However, it is not mandatory for you to consume that dosage. You should follow what your doctor has prescribed you.

The next important medicine information that you will get here includes the warnings. You can get an idea of what can happen once you start using the medicine. However, one should remember that it is not mandatory for you to get these symptoms or problems. However, when the medicine does not suit certain people, they might face the problems mentioned in the medicine information. You will also get to know about the precautions that one needs to take while he or she decides to stop the medicine consumption. You will also be able to know how the specific drug or its ingredients interacts with other medicines or with your body. Thus, you can know what you can expect from the medicine. Apart from this, you will also be able to know about contraindications of the medicines. Thus, it can be well assumed that you will get ample medicine information at Sastasundar. This will update your knowledge and you will not be lost.

So, if you are looking forward to buy some medicines, you can take a look at them at Sastasundar! Get ample discounts and also get the required medicine information.

Read More

Some Harmful Chemicals Used In Children's Personal Care Products

Personal care products have become an inseparable part of our daily lives. Even the little children are not alienated to these products as they have sufficient exposure to a number of child care products starting from baby lotions to baby shampoos since birth.  Though the parents these days are very careful while choosing products for their little darlings and always consult with the doctors before buying anything, still sometimes they face various issues caused by the ingredients found in the products. It is not always possible for people like us to know everything about the ingredients used in the baby products and their effects on the health of the babies. But sometimes it is not always to consult doctors but at least we should have some basic knowledge about the products so that while buying we can be careful. Check out the following chemicals which are strict no no for your baby:

Mineral Oil: Mineral oil can be harmful for babies. It is a by-product of Petroleum and it covers the skin with a kind of wrap which stops the skin from excreting, absorbing and breathing. It also prevent the process of natural development of the skin cells resulting the skin ageing at a very early stage. You may be surprised to know that the baby oils contain 100% mineral oil and therefore they are 100% harmful for the babies.

Talc: Presence of talc in any personal care products for both babies and adults can be harmful as it can cause testicular or ovarian cancer. It is mostly found in baby powder and baby soaps.

Fragrance: Presence of fragrance in a baby product can be extremely harmful for the kids. Fragrance is one of the most important ingredients available in the personal care products for both kids and adults. But very few of us know that fragrance is toxic, synthetic and can lead to cancer. Frequent exposure to this ingredient can have severe effects on our central nervous system. But unfortunately it is present probably in all types of baby care products like baby shampoos, baby soaps, baby oils etc. and most of all buyers prefer to have it in whatever products they use.

Sodium borate or Boric acid: If we check a few reports we can easily find how harmful boric acid is for the children. People who work in the boric acid producing plants are exposed to heavier risk of decreased libido and sperm count. Many countries have imposed ban on this chemical and many companies have stopped using this in their personal care products. Though it can cause severe skin damage for the babies who have extremely sensitive skin, many companies use this item in their diaper creams.

Phthalates: Sometimes a few chemicals absorbed by pregnant moms can be harmful for their unborn kids. Phthalates is one of those chemicals which can be found in nail polishes. Therefore, nail polishes should be strictly prohibited for the expecting mothers for the sake of their children.

These are some of the common chemicals which are available in all types of personal care products for both babies and adults. Apart from these there are many others including toluene, resorcinol, BHA, animal-based ingredients and others which can be extremely harmful for the babies.

Read More

Probable Dangers Of Buying Medicines Online

Buying medicines online has becomes quite a popular trend this days in India. Today most people do not want to waste their precious time and energy in standing in the queue. Rather, they prefer buying everything from clothes to medicines online. Apart from these tech savvy people, there are many who are either aged or suffering from illness and do not have the option to buy medicines online on their own. They have no option than buying their prescribed medicines online and receive them at their doorstep. But as we all know that online shopping sometimes can arise various problem it is also same for shopping medicines online. Sometimes buying medicines from few websites can put your health at risk instead of curing. Therefore, before buying medicines we should check out a few things as follows:

Be aware of the fake websites: Always go for the renowned website that sell medicine either worldwide or countrywide. Even if you go for the local online medicine portal, make sure that it is authorized and legal. Here are a number of websites you can find while searching online that do not have authorization and sometimes sell fake drugs, which can be dangerous for your health, without any prescription. Even the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has tested many sample drugs sold by different website and they have found that most of all these medicines contains some dangerous elements and inappropriate amounts of active and inactive chemicals.

Many customers frequently complain of receiving drugs which they never ordered. These drugs contain some foreign version of chemicals like Haldol which is a strong anti-psychotic drug. Right after consuming this drug, the patients need immediate medical attention as they start suffering from muscle stiffness, muscle spasm and breathing trouble. The other fake websites often sell duplicate medicines which look exactly like the original ones but can be harmful for health.

In most cases people buying medicines online receive counterfeit drugs which can be contaminated, can cause severe side effects. These drugs are mostly bought by people suffering from diseases like asthma, diabetes, and different types of cancers.

To save yourself from all these problems you should know your medicines very well. If you are consuming a particular medicine for the first time you should always consult the physician to have a brief idea about the medicines and their effects on your health. It would be better if you buy them physically at least for the first time so that you can get up close personal with them. Apart from that, it is also suggested by the FDA that people should always follow the traditional way of buying medicines i.e. buy medicine offline. But even if you buy medicines online it should be from trusted and widely known websites. Government of India is trying hard to keep this mal-practice under control and keep our health safe. All that you need is to co-operate with them and avoid buying medicines online. But even if you do just follow a few tips that can keep you safe:

Do not ever buy medicines online without valid prescription and do not go for the sites that sell drugs without prescription. Do not ever reveal your personal information including bank account details or ATM pin etc. Sometimes these sites steal these information under the disguise of their e-commerce business. Though concern authority is taking actions but primarily it is our responsibility to stay safe and maintain our health.

Read More

Additional Nutritional Supplements And Their Effects On Human Body

While reaching for a bottle of Vitamin D or vitamin C capsules how many of you think whether these will affect your health or really do wonder? The first thing you need to know before consuming these is whether you actually need them or not. Taking Additional nutritional supplements has become a regular habit among many Indians. Though most of them do not have any clear idea about what is it all about and what it does they keep on consuming it almost on a regular basis just to keep themselves healthy or to maintain their health. Moreover, these types of supplements are very easy to get as these do not require any prescription or doctor’s suggestion. These supplements are available in various forms like powered, capsules or in liquid forms. A few common supplements that includes herbal products, vitamins and minerals are known as botanicals.

It is a very common fact that different types of Vitamins, minerals and few other nutrients are necessary for human health. Without Vitamin A, C, D, people may suffer from the diseases like blindness, scurvy and others. But the amount of these elements should be limited.

Though a number of Indian as well as the international brands are launching a wide range of nutrient supplements every day in the market and most of them have become a part of our daily meals, many of these have some significant side effects.  A few recent studies have shown that taking these nutrients on a regular basis can do more harm than good to health. One of these studies even revealed that overdose of Vitamin D can even increase the chance of prostate cancer. In the countries like Puerto Rico, US and Canada many organizations ran a few tests where people were divided into 4 groups. While the 1st group was given 400 international units of Vitamin E, the 2nd, 3rd and the 4th groups were given 200 mg of selenium, both Vitamin E and selenium and inactive Placebo respectively. All persons took part in the studies were absolutely healthy without any diseases like cancer. But after the study it was shown that the people who were in the 1st and the 2nd groups and were given Vitamin E and Selenium and got prostate cancer. But the group taken both Selenium and Vitamin E did not affected much by the prostate cancer as Selenium has somehow minimize the effect of Vitamin E as well as the prostate cancer.

Apart from this, overdose of Vitamin A and D can also lead to various health issues, because both these vitamins are fat absorbers and can build up within the human body.  But this is a very rare case. But too little or too much of vitamins are definitely harmful for human body. We need different types of nutrients every day to maintain our good health and the list should include staple amounts of Vitamin D, Calcium, Vitamin, Folic Acid to improve our immune system and vision. But it is always suggested that we should depend completely on the natural diet for these resources. Food items like milk, fruits, vegetables, fishes, chicken and cereals are competent enough to supply all types of necessary elements to our body. Still if anyone wants to consume nutritional supplements he/she should consult a doctor to know which one can be perfect for him/her.

Read More

What Are The Differences Between Branded Medicines And Generic Medicines?

While visiting a medicine shop we often come across a question i.e whether we would prefer to have a generic brand of a particular medicine prescribed by the doctor or not. Most of the time you get totally confused as you do not have any idea about generic or branded medicines.

Generic medicines are simply the copies of branded medicines having the similar chemical ingredients mentioned in the trademark formulation. The application, dosage and the usage of the generic drugs are as same as their branded counterparts. But there are obviously some differences and that comes in the form of some inactive chemicals. These chemicals sometimes make the medicines look different in colours and sizes from the branded drugs. But maintaining these differences is necessary to avoid trade protection, patent and other legal issues.

But after reading this if you have already started thinking that you have done a great compromise with your health by buying such generic drugs then we must assure you that the generic medicines work as effectively as the branded ones. Though they are cheaper but that does not minimize their credibility.

How many times did you feel like scratching your scalp while buying Paracetamol? The shopkeeper must have confused you with a range of names that do the similar job. There are number of drugs which serve the same purpose but have different brand names. These are called branded medicines. Their names are defined by their mother companies. For example, we are all familiar with the name Paracetamol which is a generic name but there are number of companies who produce the same medicines but with different names like Calpol, Panadol etc.

Following are some of the basic differences between generic and branded drugs:

Though both the generic as well as the branded drugs use the same ingredients but there are a few additional ingredients which can be found only in the generic drugs and these are known as excipients which sometimes can be different or of low quality.

Though apparently similar, sometimes the quality differs from one another.  Though the patents of the branded drugs reveals the ingredients but they do not disclose how to prepare the drug. Therefore, most of the time the entire manufacturing process becomes completely different from the original one.

Apart from these two there are few more differences. The generic medicines contain a few active chemical ingredients as same as the branded one. But as the other inactive chemicals used in the generic one sometimes create the differences and that is called the bioavailability.

Though generic medicines are equally popular in the market as they have the similar effect and come at far more cheaper rate. But sometimes these medicines can be a little harmful. For example, if you are using a medicine from a particular brand for a long time the quality of the active chemicals becomes steady in your blood. Now if you suddenly change the brand it can create a reverse effect on your body. But according to the doctors generic medicines are safe enough to prescribe. All that you need to do is to take care of the amount and the dosage while consuming the medicine. And last but not the least is that always take medicines prescribed by the doctors to maintain a good health and happy life.

Read More

Price Cap On 12 Cancer Drugs In India

Finally some relief to the cancer patients and their relatives who are equally suffering both mentally and financially thanks to the excessive prices of the Cancer drugs. With the government of India’s decision to revise the National List of Essential Medicines (NLEM) and national Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority’s recommendations, the prices of 12 cancer medicines in India may slash soon. The cost of the cancer drugs enlisted by the NELM will see a cut soon by DPCO (Drug Price Control Order).

The effort of controlling the price of the cancer medicines had to face a lot of controversies and opposition and challenges from the both side; people who were asking for reconsideration of the medicine prices and were agitating since the price hike since the last April as well as the pharmaceutical companies who were not in the favour of price slash and wanted to set their own prices.  A list of drugs that can save the patients from some of the life threatening diseases staring from breast cancer to leukaemia have come under the price control. These drugs usually costs from three thousand to eight lakh. In order to make the treatment available and affordable to all the cancer patients belonging to every strata of the society, Pharmaceutical pricing Authority of India has suggested to include 12 essential drugs in the list of NLEM. If the recommendation is accepted then many of these lifesaving cancer drugs will be available at an affordable price in India.

This significant step can help to drop the total cost of cancer treatment effectively. For example, the treatment for brain tumour using Temozolomide right now costs 2.16 lakh for the innovator brands while the generic variants are available at 20 thousands. Similarly, Irinotecan which is required mainly for treating ovaries and lung cancers costs around 1.87 lakh for innovator while it is available at 25 thousands for the generic variants. According to a number of renowned oncologists in India, this step will help a number of patients suffering from various types of cancers.

Though it is completely depended upon the Department of Pharmaceuticals whether they will give the approval to national Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority’s proposal, it is somewhat clear that Indian government is also strongly supporting the proposal. In a question answer round in Lok Sabha, the lower house of Indian Parliament, the honourable minister of Chemicals and fertilizers has confirmed that a core committee of some experts has been formed in order to review the proposal. He further confirmed that a chain of pharmacies has been established countrywide where these medicines will be available at an affordable price. This would be an ideal way to promote the cancer medicines in India among the people.

India is a poor country if we consider the average income group which rule the society. There are very few people who can afford to spend thousands of rupees for treatment or get health insurance coverage. Therefore, it is expected that, these people will definitely find it difficult to access the cancer drugs which costs around $47 to $12600 i.e. Rs. 3000 to 800000 in Indian currency. People falling in the average income group will be benefited hugely if the suggested 12 cancer medicines India come under the price control.

Let's keep our fingers crossed and hope for the best! Let's pray for the recovery and good health of the Cancer patients. 

Read More

Parental Nutrition In ICU Is A Safe Therapy To Go With

Parenteral nutrition is the method where a person who can not eat and digest normally anymore, is being fed intravenously. The nutritional formula that include certain nutrients like amino acid, glucose, dietary minerals, lipids and vitamins is being received by the person.

There are two types of parenteral nutrition. One is total parenteral nutrition and the other one known as peripheral nutrition. Total parenteral nutrition is being applied when there no other way is left to obtain nutrition. Peripheral nutrition is the process that eases the access in the limb. Parenteral nutrition has become very much familiar to people as it can sustain fat-free mass in those patients who are experiencing crucial situations like chronic diseases, sarcopenic, ageing, obesity and pre-existing undemutrition that can be resulted into increased muscle catabolism and hyperglycaemia.

Steps to use of parenteral nutrition in ICU:

There are few steps to use of parenteral nutrition in ICU. Generally doctors recommend the parenteral nutrition without specific indication for the first forty eight hours. At first the medical team take the option of feeding route in the patient admitted in ICU. The clinical outcome may get worsened if enteral nutrition all alone is being linked with inadequate coverage of energy requirements. After that the patient is being recommended to experience certain method like third lumber vertebra-targeted computerised tomography, tigh bioimpedance electrical analysis, thigh ultra-sound imaging in order to keep the track of fat free-mass during ICU days for obvious reasons. Then the nutrition administration is being advised within the four days after the patient got admitted. This is how the fat-free mass loss gets reduced and clinical outcomes get improved. Medical researchers have already given some demonstration of controlled trials if there any complication arises while feeding the patients intravenously.

Things to be avoided:

Make sure that glycaemia of the patient must be controlled and the ovemutrition must be avoid while using parenteral nutrition in order to make the process cautious. 

Supplemental parenteral nutrition:

Supplemental parenteral nutrition is being advised in most of the cases in order to improve the nutritional status as well as the energy provision. Supplemental nutrition is the combination of enteral nutrition and parenteral nutrition that eases the calorie delivery and boosts the energy during illness. It also reduces the chances of side effects that may take place because of enteral nutrition. Enteral nutrition aims to combat with sixty percent of energy target and diarrhoea where as the supplemental nutrition cures the whole problem fast. 

Overfeeding is strictly restricted:

Make sure the patient must not be overfed in the name of parenteral nutrition. Overfeeding does not help in increasing the energy level and combating with the diseases. On the contrary it triggers the risk of various infections and metabolic disorders. It also causes liver dysfunction.

On the other hand, if enteral nutrition and parenteral nutirition get combined in a perfect manner, it may balance the control of glycaemia. It also decrease the needs of insulin and reduce the risk of hyperglycaemia. Therefore this sequential approach must be considered and the supplementary parental nutrition should be applied in order to reach the energy target, to avoid the risk of infection and overfeeding. However, it can be said easily that parenteral nutrition is a safe therapy in ICU as long as overfeeding is avoided. It is not only being proved as a safe therapy but also as an affordable therapy. Therefore, it has become very much popular in clinical studies.

Read More

Why You Should Not Buy Cheap Cancer Drugs

In the developing world like India, infectious diseases like tuberculosis, malaria and AIDS can be treated with comparatively cheaper drugs. In past few years, health officials have refused to give patents to two breast cancer drugs. This decision is to limit patents on the costly branded medicines. Such move is creating another tension, where it is being found out that cancer-related deaths are more often in India than US. That’s the reason makes the medicine makers focus their sales growth in medium developed nations.

One of the rejections occurred when a member of Indian federal board of patent officially canceled a patent on a medicine for breast cancer named lapatinib, sold as Tykerb. It is sold by the famous pharmaceutical company named Glaxo Smith Kline. Another drug is trastuzumab, which is sold as Herceptin was not granted the patent, as accused by Roche, a Swiss drug company. It states that a patent office which is situated in Kolkata has declined to grant a patent for the medicine. The officials, however, have allowed other patents that will prevent both the medicines from the competition which is generic. This will continue till the year 2019. This action will allow an opportunity for the generic drugs manufacturers to step in beyond 2019.

The pressure is ever increasing on medicine companies to keep the pricing of medicines in such a way that the medicines will be charged differently in various part of the country depending on their income. A company like Roche claimed that they have already offered such pricing via special programmes. But their own business figure show that they have only sold medicines which covers only 15% of the patients who suffer from breast cancer. If the percentage can be turned into numbers, we can see that they have treated only 3700 Indian women.

Chronic Myeloid Leukemia is a type of cancer. It mostly affects blood. The age of the people who are affected by the cancer are in their 40s and 50s. Compare to another form of cancers, this particular one spreads very slowly. 4-5 people are affected by this disease in India out of 1,00,000 people. It includes 10% of total cancer population. The treatment which includes bone marrow transplant and targeted therapy. The therapy involves oral medicines and the medication continues for five years. But in few critical cases, the patient might need the medication for a lifetime.

Glivec is a medicine which cures chronic myeloid leukemia. Specific bone marrow cells get damaged and start producing white blood cells in an excessive manner. This action causes fatigue. It also causes hip pain in the initial stage. The impact used to be acute. But the medicine Glivec, its success rate is more than 95%.

The supreme court has rejected a patent against a life selling cancer drug. The name of the medicine is Glivec. Glivec is a medicine from the house of Novartis AG. This decision relieved a huge number of patients in India as well as other developing countries. The reason being, the decision has brought down the drug escalation cost to a great extent. But again, this is a very big setback for those multinational pharmaceutical companies, which were denied a patent for their series of medicines which are life-saving for a very long period of time.

Read More