26 Apr 2024
10 mins
Telemedicine in India: Can Virtual Care Lead the Way?Virtual care has become a key player in helping India work towards providing
healthcare for everyone. The COVID-19 pandemic really pushed both doctors and
patients to start using telemedicine in India more often. There have been some
recent positive changes in policy, advancements in technology, and improvements
in infrastructure that put India in a good position to skip ahead and possibly
do better than some Western healthcare systems. This blog talks about what we
can learn from moving to virtual care, the emergence of telemedicine in India
and suggests ways that India could use virtual healthcare to ensure all its
citizens can access the healthcare they need, even with limited public health
resources.
WHAT IS TELEMEDICINE?
Telemedicine involves using technology like computers and smartphones to get
medical care from a distance. This means you can talk to your doctors and get
help without having to visit them in person. You can get diagnosed, monitor your
health, discuss your concerns, and even receive prescriptions—all online.
Telemedicine in India has grown significantly in recent years.
COVID-19'S IMPACT ON VIRTUAL HEALTHCARE IN INDIA
When India had to go into a COVID-19 lockdown on March 23, 2020, it really shook
up the regular way healthcare was delivered. Many hospitals had to switch things
around, moving patients from being admitted to the hospital to getting care
while they stayed at home. Because of this, the number of people seeing their
doctors in person dropped by 32%
[https://yourstory.com/2020/12/india-recorded-3x-increase-online-consultations-practo-report],
but the number of online doctor visits jumped by 300%. In fact, the online
consultation market grew a lot, reaching $163 million in March 2021. Thus, this
pandemic has been the time when telemedicine in India has peeked up.
INDIA'S HEALTHCARE CHALLENGES: A CLOSER LOOK
India faces a big challenge with its healthcare system.
* GDP on Healthcare: The country spends only 1.28% of its total GDP (Gross
Domestic Product) on healthcare, which is one of the lowest rates in the
world.
* Access to healthcare: In India, people living in rural areas or homegrown
cities often have less access to healthcare compared to those in cities.
* Out-Pocket-Expenses: Personal payments for healthcare cover nearly 62.6% of
the total health spending in India
[https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10041239/], which is one of the
highest rates in the world. Not surprisingly, the cost of healthcare is a big
reason why many people in India remain poor.
* Universal Healthcare: To really help lift its large population out of
poverty, India needs to include steps to provide healthcare for everyone, no
matter where they live or how much money they have. This is known as
Universal Healthcare (UHC), and it is crucial for improving the lives of
millions of Indians. And this can be greatly achieved through implementing
telemedicine in India.
IS INDIA EQUIPPED FOR VIRTUAL CARE?
India is in a great position to start using virtual healthcare widely due to the
fast-growing digital market.
* Digital landscape: With over half a billion people already using the
internet, the country is ready to embrace online health services.
* Regulatory Frameworks: In terms of rules and regulations, the government took
a big step in March 2020 by introducing the Telemedicine Practice Guidelines.
These guidelines help clear up any confusion about whether online medical
services are allowed and provide a detailed set of rules for both patients
and doctors to follow. This ensures that everyone is legally protected when
using virtual care.
* Technical Infrastructure: On the technical side, the launch of the Ayushman
Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) [https://abdm.gov.in/] in 2021 really helped
set up a strong foundation for virtual healthcare. This mission created a
digital network that lets patients and healthcare providers easily share
important health information like medical history, test results, and
prescriptions. The system also includes a comprehensive list of healthcare
organizations and professionals all over the country, making it easier to
connect and coordinate care.
HOW IS VIRTUAL HEALTHCARE PRACTICED IN INDIA?
India set up a unique free telemedicine service called eSanjeevani
[https://esanjeevani.mohfw.gov.in/#/] in 2020, which is the first of its kind in
the world. It has two main parts: eSanjeevani Ayushman Bharat–Health and
Wellness Centre (AB–HWC) and eSanjeevaniOPD (Outpatient Department).
eSanjeevani AB–HWC works like this: There are two main parts to eSanjeevani:
1. eSanjeevani Ayushman Bharat-Health and Wellness Centre (AB-HWC)
(Doctor-Doctor): This is a service where doctors at small health centers in
rural areas can connect with specialists at bigger hospitals to help
patients. It is like a virtual link between the junior doctors and the
specialist.
2. eSanjeevaniOPD (patient-doctor): This allows people to have doctor
appointments from their homes using their phones. It's like having a regular
doctor visit, but online.
By 2022, it had reached a massive milestone of completing 3 crore consultations
[https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1809569#:~:text=Doctor%2Dto%2DDoctor%20telemedicine%20service%20is%20based%20on%20a%20Hub,%2Fhospital%2Fmedical%20college).].
On one busy day, it even managed to do 1.7 lakh consultations. The top 10 states
using eSanjeevani the most are Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, West Bengal, Tamil
Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, and Assam.
These are just the beginning steps, but they show a lot of promise for how
telemedicine can change healthcare in India.
FUTURE TRENDS IN INDIAN TELEMEDICINE: VR AND AI
The telemedicine market in India was worth $1.9 billion in 2022, and it is
expected to grow to $10.7 billion by 2028
[https://www.financialexpress.com/business/digital-transformation-new-trends-in-telemedicine-technology-in-2024-3310901/].
New, embraced technologies like virtual reality (VR) and artificial intelligence
(AI) are making telemedicine even better. With VR, patients can feel like they
are in the same room as their doctors, even if they're far away. AI helps
doctors give personalized treatments and analyze patient data more effectively.
In the end of 2024, we will see more e-clinics, which are like regular clinics
but online.
WHAT IS REQUIRED FOR INDIA TO SUCCEED IN VIRTUAL HEALTHCARE?
To make virtual healthcare work well in India, there are some important things
that need to be considered.
i. First, Regulations
There need to be new rules and ways of managing things to deal with issues like
keeping people's information safe and making sure everyone gives permission for
their data to be used. When new health apps or systems are created, they need to
be checked to make sure they're worth the money and actually help patients.
ii. Second, Education
Everyone needs to learn how to use virtual healthcare, especially in places
where it is not common yet, like villages and city slums. This means teaching
people about it in schools and setting up places in communities where people can
learn more about it.
iii. Third, Guidelines
doctors and other healthcare workers need to figure out which parts of
healthcare can be done online and come up with clear guidelines for how to do it
safely and effectively. They also need to learn how to use new technology to
provide care in different ways.
iv. Lastly, Training
There need to be more healthcare workers who understand how to use technology
to provide care, not just doctors and nurses. This includes training more
paramedics and other health workers. For example, having more trained midwives
could help save a lot of lives by providing better care for pregnant women and
newborn babies.
A PATH TO UHC (UNIVERSAL HEALTH COVERAGE)
Telemedicine is changing the way healthcare works, making it easier for people
to get quality care no matter where they live. And as technology keeps
improving, telemedicine will continue to grow and help more people in the
future. Some key investments from the government side will be a big help in
making virtual care even better, faster, and more helpful on the path towards
universal healthcare. And who knows? India's progress in this area might inspire
other developing countries to follow suit. So, while there have been bumps in
the road, the future of healthcare in India looks promising.
25 Apr 2024
9mins
World Malaria Day: A Call To Eradicate MalariaMalaria is a curable and preventable disease but remains a persistent and
serious threat to public health in many parts of the world. Every year April
25th is observed as World Malaria Day. A perfect storm is currently forming for
malaria as a result of inadequate tool coverage, increasing biological threats,
and budget shortages. Now it is the time to take bold action to realize our
objective of zero malaria by 2030.
WHAT IS THE THEME OF WORLD MALARIA DAY 2024?
Our 2024 theme "Accelerating the fight against malaria for a more equitable
world” emphasise the importance of fighting against malaria to eradicate this
deadly disease all over the world. This World Malaria Day, the global malaria
community will gather to celebrate progress and urge on countries and partners
worldwide to:
* Invest in malaria control and elimination efforts, making aggressive
investments to close major budget gaps and expedite progress.
* Innovate to provide transformational and enhanced malaria treatments that are
personalized to people in most need.
* Implement national strategies to accelerate progress against this age-old
illness by exhibiting leadership, implementing new and sustainable
techniques, and scaling up national malaria efforts to reach those most
vulnerable.
WHAT IS THE IMPORTANCE OF WORLD MALARIA DAY?
The WHO African Region carries a high share of the worldwide malaria burden and
accounts for 95% of malaria cases and 96% of malaria deaths. The WHO South-East
Asia region [https://apps.who.int/iris/rest/bitstreams/1398397/retrieve] is the
2nd highest region with malaria burden globally, and India is the largest
contributor in this region, accounting for 82.5% of cases and 82% of malarial
deaths
[https://www.who.int/india/health-topics/malaria/summary-of-world-malaria-report-2021]
in the WHO South-East Asia Region.
World Malaria Day is an opportunity to draw global attention to the disease and
help reduce the risk of infection. This was evident in the year 2020, when the
World Health Organisation (WHO)'s awareness services were disrupted due to the
COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in a spike in malaria cases per 1000 people (from
81/1000 people in 2000 to 56/1000 people in 2019, followed by 59/1000 people in
2020). On World Malaria Day 2024, let’s stay aware of some of the important
facts about malaria.
WHAT IS THE HISTORY OF WORLD MALARIA DAY?
World Malaria Day, established in 2008, evolved from Africa Malaria Day, which
had been observed by African countries since 2001. The one-year mark provided an
opportunity to assess the state of malaria prevention and mortality objectives
in African countries. At the 60th session of the World Health Assembly (a
gathering hosted by the World Health Organisation), it was proposed in 2007 that
Africa Malaria Day be renamed World Malaria Day 2024 in order to acknowledge the
global prevalence of malaria and raise awareness of the worldwide drive to
eradicate the disease.
WHAT IS MALARIA? WHAT CAUSES IT?
Malaria is an infection caused by any of the 5 species of plasmodium parasite.
They are Plasmodium falciparum, Plasmodium malariae, Plasmodium vivax,
Plasmodium ovale, and Plasmodium knowlesi. Among the 5 parasite species,
Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax are potentially life-threatening.
The most common way of getting infected is being bitten by an infected mosquito
that got the parasite by biting an individual with malaria. Malaria can also be
transmitted
[https://www.mrmed.in/health-library/health-care/world-mosquito-day-2022] from
infected mothers to unborn babies, through blood transfusions and sharing drug
injecting equipment.
Pregnant women, people living with AIDS/HIV, children under five years of age,
people with poor immunity, and infants are more likely to develop malaria and
serious illness from the infection.
Do you know!
* 3.2 billion people are at an increased risk of getting malaria.
* Two-third of the Malaria deaths are reported in children under years of age.
* In the year of 2021, there are 244 Million Malaria Cases and 619,000 Malaria
deaths are reported.
* Around half of the Malaria deaths have been cut down since 2000.
SYMPTOMS TO LOOK OUT FOR
* Chills, sweats, and a high temperature
* Headache, feeling confused
* Diarrhea, stomach pain
* Appetite loss
* Feeling and being sick
* Muscle pain
* Yellow skin or whites of the eyes
* Breathing difficulty, cough, or sore throat
Symptoms generally appear ten to fifteen days after you have been bitten by an
infected mosquito. Some people don’t have any symptoms for months after the
mosquito bite, and rarely, these parasites can live in the body without causing
symptoms for many years.
CAN MALARIA BE CURED?
Malaria is generally a curable disease if diagnosis and treatment are made
promptly. The blood test will confirm the malarial diagnosis and determine the
type of parasite. A combination of antimalarial and over-the-counter medicines
are prescribed for managing symptoms of malaria. The type of antimalarial
medication and duration of the treatment is based on the type of parasite.
Examples of antimalarial drugs are chloroquine, mefloquine, atovaquone, quinine,
and artemisinin drugs.
Many malarial parasites have developed drug resistance
[https://www.mrmed.in/health-library/health-care/antibiotic-resistance] to
common medicines used to treat this disorder. This means these parasites
continue to grow instead of being killed after the administration of medicine.
Overuse and misuse can accelerate the resistance. Hence it is very essential
that you take medicines exactly as prescribed by your physician.
HOW TO PREVENTION MALARIA?
Malaria is a serious infection, but there is a possibility to prevent it. If you
live in an area where malaria is common, taking steps to avoid mosquito bites
can help lower the chances of getting malaria.
* Apply an insect repellant with diethyltoluamide (DEET) on the skin.
* Sleep under nets treated with insecticides such as permethrin. Sprays
containing permethrin can also be applied to clothing.
* Wear pants and long-sleeved shirts to cover your legs and arms, particularly
in the evening when mosquitoes are most active.
* Put screens on doors and windows.
If you need to visit an area where malaria is common, consult with a physician
well before you plan to travel. He/ she can prescribe you antimalarial
medicines. You may need to start taking the medications a few days or weeks
before you go. Since October 2021, the WHO recommends the use of malaria
vaccine (RTS,S/AS01)
[https://www.who.int/news-room/questions-and-answers/item/q-a-on-rts-s-malaria-vaccine]
among the children living in areas where P. falciparum malaria transmission is
moderate to high. P. falciparum is the deadliest malaria parasite.
THE END
When malaria is not treated properly, it can cause serious health conditions
resulting in death. It is very important to seek medical help if you think you
may have malaria symptoms. Treatment tends to be more effective when started in
the early stages of the disease. On this World Malaria Day, let’s take an oath
to keep our homes mosquito-free and protect ourselves from malaria.
25 Apr 2024
10 mins
Why Vaccines Matter: The Ultimate Guide to Protection and PreventionHave you considered why vaccines are vital? And do you know where these vaccines
are made? Let us explore the world of vaccines together to learn their
importance and how they keep us safe. Vaccines are our guardians, protecting us
from dangerous diseases and keeping us healthy. But how do they work, and why
are they so important? Let us explore them in detail.
WHAT ARE VACCINES?
Vaccines are medicinal products designed to prevent diseases by preparing the
immune system to recognize and combat pathogens, such as viruses and bacteria,
without causing illness. These typically contain:
* Weakened or killed pathogens: These are forms of the virus or bacterium that
have been modified in a lab so that they cannot cause disease.
* Adjuvants: Some vaccines also include chemical substances that enhance the
immune response, making the vaccine more effective in generating immunity.
What happens when these vaccines enter our bodies?
When a vaccine is administered, it simulates an infection. This "false
infection" does not cause illness but prompts the immune system to respond as if
it were a real infection. The immune system then:
* Develop antibodies: These are proteins that fight off the invaders.
* Creates memory cells: These cells remember the pathogen and how to fight it,
providing long-term protection.
WHY IS VACCINATION IMPORTANT?
* Vaccination is not only critical for personal health but also for public
health because it
* Prevents the spread of diseases: By reducing the number of susceptible
individuals, vaccines help control outbreaks.
* Protects vulnerable populations: Some individuals cannot be vaccinated due to
medical conditions; widespread vaccination helps shield them from disease
through herd immunity.
* Saves lives and reduces disease severity: Vaccines reduce the risk of
infection and can make illnesses less severe for those who do get sick.
How does a vaccine work when it encounters the pathogen it is intended to
target?
You might wonder, "How does this vaccine actually work and trigger our immune
system?" Well, it operates on a simple memory mechanism. When you get a vaccine,
your body's defense system, called the immune system, gets to work. Here is what
happens:
* It recognizes the invading germ, like a virus or bacteria.
* It creates particular proteins called antibodies to fight off the disease.
* It remembers the disease and how to fight it. So, if you reencounter the germ
later, your immune system can quickly destroy it before you get sick.
* Vaccines are a smart and safe way to trigger this immune response in your
body without making you sick.
Our immune systems are like super detectives; they remember how to fight off
diseases. After getting one or more doses of a vaccine, we usually stay
protected against the disease for a long time — sometimes for years, decades, or
even a lifetime. This is why vaccines are so powerful. Instead of waiting to
treat a disease after it shows up, vaccines stop us from getting sick in the
first place.
WHEN SHOULD YOU OR YOUR CHILD GET VACCINATED?
Vaccines protect us throughout our lives, from birth to old age. Most countries
give you a vaccination card to keep track of the vaccines you or your child have
had and when you need more. It is essential to keep all your vaccines
up-to-date.
In India, you can refer to the National Immunization Schedule
[https://main.mohfw.gov.in/sites/default/files/245453521061489663873.pdf] for
infants, children, and pregnant women, provided by the Ministry of Health and
Family Welfare.
If we delay getting vaccinated, we risk getting very sick. Waiting until there
is an outbreak of a severe illness, like measles, might not be enough time for
the vaccine to work correctly, especially if we need more than one dose.
If you or your child missed any vaccines, talk to your doctor about catching up.
It is essential to stay protected.
WHY DO YOU NEED VACCINATION?
You might also wonder, despite having a good immune system, why you should get
vaccinated. There are also anti-vaccine stories and conspiracies circulating.
However, it is important to remember that these stories lack evidence or
scientific backing. Therefore, it is crucial to refer to trusted sources like
the World Health Organization (WHO) or the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
(MoHFW) of India for vaccination information.
Now, coming to the question of why you need vaccines? Without vaccines, you may
face severe risks of illness and disability from diseases like measles,
meningitis, pneumonia, tetanus, and polio. Many of these diseases can be
life-threatening. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that childhood
vaccines alone save over 4 million lives
[https://www.who.int/health-topics/vaccines-and-immunization#tab=tab_1] every
year. Even though some diseases may seem rare, the germs that cause them still
exist in various parts of the world. Nowadays, infectious diseases can easily
spread across borders and affect anyone who isn't protected.
🎬https://youtu.be/9nadnOxvE74 [https://youtu.be/9nadnOxvE74]
There are two main reasons to get vaccinated: to protect ourselves and to
protect those around us. Since not everyone can get vaccinated—including very
young babies, people with serious illnesses, or certain allergies—they rely on
others to keep them safe from vaccine-preventable diseases.
WHAT DISEASES DO VACCINES PROTECT US FROM?
Vaccines guard against various diseases, such as:
* Cervical cancer
* Cholera
* COVID-19
* Diphtheria
* Ebola virus disease
* Hepatitis B
* Influenza
* Japanese encephalitis
* Measles
* Meningitis
* Mumps
* Pertussis
* Pneumonia
* Polio
* Rabies
* Rotavirus
* Rubella
* Tetanus
* Typhoid
* Varicella
* Yellow fever
Some vaccines are still being tested and are not widely available yet. The
vaccines you need might vary depending on location, travel plans, or occupation.
Talk to your healthcare provider to know which vaccines are necessary for you
and your family.
FACT SHEET FOR VACCINE
What Vaccines Do?What Vaccines Don't?
* Immunity acquired through vaccination is stronger than our natural immunity.
* Protect us from serious and deadly diseases.
* Undergoes various safety tests before being introduced and is constantly
monitored for side effects after introduction.
* Can completely eradicate some diseases if a sufficient number of people are
vaccinated.
* Vaccines do not contain toxic ingredients
* Do not weaken our immune system
* Do not contain toxic elements like thiomersal (a mercury-based preservative)
* Do not cause autism
* Cause mild side effects that will subside in 2-3 days
The Bottom Line
In a world where diseases can easily cross borders, vaccines are our best
defense. They save millions of lives every year and help keep our communities
safe and healthy. So, let us trust in the power of vaccines and ensure everyone
has access to them. After all, a healthy world is a happier world for us all.
24 Apr 2024
8 mins
Join the Global Movement: World Immunization WeekCatch up! Restore and strengthen routine immunization. World immunization week
is celebrated every year on the last week of April (April 24 – April 30) to
raise awareness and highlight the importance of vaccines and immunizations
worldwide under the theme 'Humanly Possible'. WHO is collaborating with partners
to accelerate quick progress in nations to get back on track and protect more
people, particularly children, from preventable diseases. In this world of
immunization week, let's understand the importance of vaccines and immunization.
WORLD IMMUNIZATION WEEK 2024 THEME
This year's World Immunisation Week theme is "Humanly Possible." The World
Health Organisation is partnering with its partners to accelerate progress in
getting nations back on track so that more people, particularly children, are
protected against preventable diseases. World Immunisation Week aims to protect
more children, adults, and communities from vaccine-preventable diseases,
helping them to live happier, healthier lives.
HISTORY OF WORLD IMMUNIZATION WEEK
The World Health Assembly approved World Immunisation Week in May 2012. The
first World Immunisation Week was held in 2012, with over 180 countries
participating globally. Before 2012, the scheduling of Immunisation Week events
varied across the globe. The goal of this week is to identify obstacles to
vaccine access and overcome them for the benefit of the world population. People
have realized that no one is fully immune unless everyone is disease-free.
IMPORTANCE OF WORLD IMMUNIZATION WEEK
In 2021, 25 million children missed at least one routine
[https://www.cdc.gov/globalhealth/immunization/world-immunization-week/index.html]
vaccine, and 18 million received no vaccines at all. Immunization is an
important component of primary health care and one of the best investments you
can make to help make the world a healthier and safer place. We now have
vaccines to prevent more than 20 deadly diseases, allowing individuals of all
ages to live longer, healthier lives.
WHAT ARE VACCINES AND IMMUNIZATION?
Vaccines are weakened or destroyed forms of pathogens such as bacteria or
viruses. There are different kinds of vaccines – live-attenuated, toxoid,
inactivated, subunit, mRNA, and viral vector vaccines based on how and which
part of the pathogen is used in preparation. They are given mostly by
injections; sometimes they can be given orally or by spraying through the nose.
Immunization is the process by which the body gets immunity to a particular
disease via vaccination. Some vaccines offer life-long or prolonged immunity,
while some need booster shots when the immunity starts to wane.
HOW VACCINES WORK
Once the pathogen enters our body, our immune system produces substances called
antibodies to fight against the disease. The immune system has the quality to
remember this disease as well as the process of fighting it. Vaccines also
imitate this process but in a harmless way and help prevent infectious diseases.
They provide antibodies in response to dead or weakened microbes and offer
immunity without the disease.
According to the (WHO) World Health Organization, immunization currently
prevents 3.5 to 5 million deaths
[https://www.who.int/health-topics/vaccines-and-immunization#tab=tab_1] from
diseases like tetanus and diphtheria every year. Currently, there are vaccines
for more than 20 life-threatening disorders such as malaria, cholera, rabies,
pneumonia, polio, rabies, rubella, mumps, meningitis, pertussis, and yellow
fever.
VACCINES ARE SAFE
Many people still fear getting vaccinations due to various reasons. It usually
takes many years to develop a vaccine, and it must go through a large number of
trials and tests before a vaccine comes into the market. Once the vaccine is
introduced, national and international surveillance centers continuously monitor
for any adverse effects to ensure the vaccine's safety. Most vaccine-preventable
diseases are highly contagious and cause severe complications. So, it is
important to remember that vaccine-preventable disease is far worse than the
fear of vaccines and vaccine side effects. Severe side effects are rare. Mild
side effects such as injection site reaction and fever may occur, but it usually
goes away soon.
Though vaccines are safe, some categories of people are not recommended to get
vaccines. People undergoing cancer treatment may have a weak immune system, and
certain vaccines may initiate infection. People with chronic illnesses or
life-threatening allergies and young babies may not be suitable for getting
vaccines. Vaccination protects not only us but also the loved ones surrounding
us. When an adequate number of individuals are vaccinated, the transmission of
disease slows down or stops, and this is called herd immunity.
IMMUNIZATION PROGRAMME IN INDIA
Through a universal immunization program, the Government of India offers
vaccines to infants, pregnant women, and children. Vaccines offered include,
BCG (Bacillus Calmette-Guerin vaccine), HPV vaccines
[https://www.mrmed.in/health-library/cancer-care/cervical-cancer-hpv-vaccination-in-india],
OPV (oral polio vaccine), Hepatitis B vaccine, Pentavalent vaccines, Rotavirus
vaccine, PCV (pneumococcal vaccine), fIPV (Fractional Inactivated Poliomyelitis
Vaccine), Measles/MR vaccine, JE vaccine (Japanese encephalitis), DPT booster
(Diphtheria, Tetanus, & Pertussis), and Tetanus and adult diphtheria (Td)
vaccine. Different vaccines are given at different ages. Go through the national
immunization schedule
[https://www.nhp.gov.in/universal-immunisation-programme_pg] for children,
infants, and pregnant women vaccine-wise. Vaccines are available at both
government and private hospitals. They are available free of cost for
vaccine-preventable diseases at government hospitals.
VACCINATION - YOUR BEST DEFENSE
Get vaccinated, and Stay disease-free! Vaccinations ensure a long life for all.
If you need to travel to a country where a particular disease is more common,
you need to check with your doctor to be vaccinated against that disease. A
healthcare professional can clarify all your doubts regarding vaccines and
suggest suitable vaccines for you and your family. In this world of immunization
week 2024, let's create awareness about immunization in our community.
24 Apr 2024
10 mins
How Personalized Medicine's Influence on Indian Healthcare?Sometimes, you might wonder why prescribed medicines fail to cure health issues
or meet the body's health requirements. Your concern is valid. This is often due
to the one-size-fits-all approach of our healthcare sector, which fails to meet
individual patient needs. So, how can we improve this situation? Despite the
backlog in the health sector, there has been a simultaneous rise in the emerging
field of personalized medicine, which offers a solution for improving the
quality of medicine and treatment. Today, let's dive into how personalized
medicine is making waves in Indian healthcare.
WHAT IS PERSONALIZED MEDICINE?
Personalized medicine
[https://www.genome.gov/genetics-glossary/Personalized-Medicine] is a booming
sector in medical practice that uses the genetic profile of an individual to
make a decision to prevent, diagnose, and treat a particular disease in the
patient. This knowledge about genetic profiling can aid in selecting an
appropriate medicine for the doctor. For instance, using target therapies for
treating the specific type of cancer (HER2 positive breast cancer cell) in
breast cancer patients.
EVOLUTION JOURNEY OF PERSONALIZED MEDICINE
Maybe this term is new to us, but the fact is, the term "personalized medicine"
first evolved on April 16, 1999, which appeared in a short article
[https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10551559/] in the Wall Street Journal named
"New Era of Personalised Medicine: Targeting Drugs for each unique genetic
medicine." Moreover, the complete sequencing of the human genome has further
improved the evolution of personalized medicine, which has made genomics enter
the spectrum of molecular medicine.
6 BENEFITS OF USING PERSONALIZED MEDICINE
Personalized medicine has a lot of advantages, which are given below:
1. Tailored Treatments: Personalized medicine can help to provide a specific
treatment plan for the individuals gene formation, medical history and
lifestyle. This form of patient centric approach can help to overcome the
disease in an effective way.
2. Accuracy: AI can improve the accuracy of the treatment and diagnosis by
analysing the exact root cause of the disease. This can improve the
treatment outcome and prevent the patient from exposing unnecessary
treatment and medicine.
3. Early Detection and Prevention: Personalized medicine can help in the early
detection of life threatening disease from cancer to autoimmune disorder
(Alzheimer's) by predicting the chances of risk through genetic analysis of
the individuals who have a family history of the disease. This helps to
improve the survival rate and reduce complications in treating a disease.
4. Reduced Adverse Reactions: Personalised medicine can help find an
appropriate treatment based on the genetics, family history, and health of
the individual. These can lower the risk of side effects caused by treatment
or medicine that doesn't fit one genetic makeup. Moreover, it can guide the
doctor in providing a safe and secure treatment.
5. Prevent the money expenditure: Personalised medicine can help to prevent the
wastage of money on unnecessary treatment, which can also lead to a loss of
hope in the treatment and medicine.
6. Improvement in Healthcare and Research: Personalised medicines can help to
bring new advancements in the field of medicine. It can lead to a
breakthrough and improve healthcare care along with technological
advancement which aids in building a more powerful healthcare sector for the
patients.
THRIVING BLOSSOMS: PERSONALIZED MEDICINE'S GROWTH IN INDIA
India, with its huge population of 1.3 billion people, faces a significant
disease burden encompassing both communicable and non-communicable diseases.
This underscores the critical need for personalized medicine to analyze genetic,
molecular, and protein databases in tailoring treatment plans for every
individual. Here is the journey of India
[https://journals.lww.com/ijph/fulltext/2021/65040/precision_medicine_in_public_health_in_india_.18.aspx]
toward the personalized medication:
1. India, with its huge population of 1.3 billion people, faces a significant
disease burden encompassing both communicable and non-communicable diseases.
This underscores the critical need for personalized medicine to analyze
genetic, molecular, and protein databases in tailoring treatment plans for
every individual. Here is the journey of India toward the personalized
medication:
2. It is estimated that the Indian genetic testing market, which is a tool in
personalized medicine, has seen a large growth. It was around 4,544.5 crore
($61 million) in 2022 and is expected to grow with a CAGR of 6.94% over
2018-28 and reach 6,779.5 crore ($91 million) in 2028. This shows the growth
of the Indian healthcare sector toward the new era of personalized medicine.
3. The Indian genomic variation database project was started in 2003, which was
started with the aim of providing data for the most common type of genetic
variation for 15,000 people from different places in India.
4. The Government of India passed a Human DNA Profiling Bill in 2005, which was
later transformed into the DNA Technology Bill in 2019, an initiative to
regulate DNA technology in identifying a person's identity.
5. The Genome India project in January 2020 is a great initiative which was
launched with an aim to collect ten thousand genetic samples from people who
are Indian citizens across the india. It will help to form a catalogue which
provide an dteials about the genetic variation for the Indian population.
6. The government of India has also launched a NIDAN ( National Inherited
Diseases Administration) Kendra program to prevent and manage inherent
genetic disorders. It has a team of caring experts in genetics who are there
to support and guide pregnant women and parents through every step of the
journey. From offering counseling and testing to diagnose any inherited
genetic disorders in babies, to providing ongoing care and support with a
whole team of skilled clinicians.
7. The Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) is a free center government
scheme that helps to improve the digitization of healthcare and create
digital health records of Indian citizens, which improve the research and
personalized medicine to ensure that hospitals can work together smoothly at
different levels.
8. The National Tuberculosis Elimination Program is a great initiative that has
already implemented the benefit of personalized medicine by focusing on
early diagnosis and multidrug treatment in patients.
WHAT IS THE ROLE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN PERSONALIZED MEDICINE?
Precision medicine, when combined with emerging technology like artificial
intelligence, can be a solution for most of the complex problems in the
healthcare sector. AI has contributed the following to precision medicine, which
are given below:
1. Data analysis: Picture a team of diligent researchers gathering and
organizing data from patients far and wide. They carefully sift through
genetic and medical information, creating a detailed map of each person's
health journey. With this wealth of knowledge, they're able to offer
personalized health advice tailored to fit each individual perfectly.
2. Decision making: Imagine having a wise advisor standing by your doctor's
side, offering guidance and insight every step of the way. Together, they
navigate the complexities of diagnosis and treatment, ensuring that every
decision is made with care and consideration for the patient's well-being.
3. Identifying potential targets: Think of a skilled detective combing through
clues hidden within the body's biology and genetics. With precision and
accuracy, they identify the exact targets causing disease, saving precious
time and resources by focusing efforts where they matter most.
4. Drug Discovery and Development: It's like having a team of dedicated
scientists working tirelessly in the lab. They analyze every detail of a
drug's molecular structure, effectiveness, and safety, ensuring that it's
tailor-made for each person's unique genetic makeup.
5. Disease detection and diagnosis: Imagine having a reliable friend who can
see into the future, predicting potential health issues before they even
arise. With their help, diseases are caught early, giving patients the best
chance at overcoming them and living a long, healthy life.
Wrapping it up!
Personalized medicine is like having a tailor-made solution for each person's
health needs – it's all about giving patients the best possible treatment that's
perfectly suited to them. And in a vibrant and diverse country like India, where
every individual's genetic makeup is unique and new diseases are popping up all
the time, personalized medicine becomes even more important. By embracing
personalized medicine and harnessing the power of technology like AI, we can
revolutionize healthcare in India. Just imagine having access to cutting-edge
tools that analyze your genetic makeup and medical history, guiding doctors in
crafting treatment plans that are truly personalized to you. It's not just about
treating diseases – it's about preventing them, catching them early, and giving
every person the best chance at a healthy life. But it doesn't stop there. With
ongoing research and development, we can ensure that personalized medicine
becomes accessible to everyone, regardless of background or location.
23 Apr 2024
10 mins
Innovations In Medicine Packaging To Fight CounterfeitingCounterfeit medicines are posing an ever-growing threat, becoming more
sophisticated and deceptive, and making it increasingly challenging to
differentiate them from the genuine products. This not only undermines brand
reputations but also endangers the lives of consumers. So, how can we tackle
this threat head-on?
One powerful approach is through innovation in medicine packaging. By arming our
packaging systems with advanced technology, we can detect and prevent
counterfeit medicines. Today, let's dive into the latest advancements in
medicine packaging systems and explore how these innovations can help safeguard
the integrity of pharmaceuticals and protect consumers from counterfeit
medicine.
COUNTERFEIT MEDICINE: HOW TO SPOT THE FAKES?
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), counterfeit medicine is
defined as medicine that has been deliberately/fraudulently mislabeled with
respect to its source or identity. It may lack active ingredients, contain the
wrong active ingredients, or have an inappropriate dose of active ingredients.
Falsification of medicine can occur in treatments for diseases like malaria,
tuberculosis, and HIV/AIDS.
HOW DOES THE PACKAGING SECTOR HELP IDENTIFY COUNTERFEIT MEDICATION?
The authentication of the packaging in medicine plays a crucial role in
identifying the authenticity of medicine in the pharmaceutical field. Moreover,
it is the first and simple step to detect the originality of the drug in a world
full of fake and unauthorized medication. The WHO has suggested that counterfeit
medicines can be identified by examining the packaging condition, such as
spelling, manufacturer details, expiration dates, and appearance of the
medicines. However, we need to accept the fact that counterfeit medicines are
growing with the technology, which makes them more similar to the original
drugs.
WHAT ARE THE STRATEGIES TO IDENTIFY COUNTERFEIT MEDICATION USING THE PACKING?
Some of the strategies that help to identify counterfeit medicines using the
packaging system are given below:
Serialization:
Serialization is assigning a unique code to each package of medicine that can be
tracked throughout the whole process of the supplier system. Serialization of
the product includes the following technology, which is given below:
1. Barcodes: They are used to identify the product's supply chain and can give
detailed information about the product, such as batch number, expiry date,
National Drug Code (NDC), and Lot number. Barcodes are usually in linear,
scripted, or 2-D data matrix format.
2. RFID Technology: Radio-frequency identification (RFID) is a unique wireless
technology that involves tags and readers. The reader is a device consisting
of one or more antennas emitting radio waves. At the same time, the tag
receives signals and contains detailed information about a specific product
and its supply chain details. When a person needs to verify the authenticity
of a product, the RFID tag can be scanned to identify the product's details
and track its supply chain.
Overt technology:
Overt technologies are used visibly in the packaging system of the medicine to
protect the authenticity of the medicine from the counterfeit manufacturer.
1. Holographic:
Holographic elements such as dots, lines, waves, and other unique features can
effectively prevent counterfeit medicine in the pharmaceutical field. These
elements are difficult for counterfeiters to replicate due to their cost and
complexity. Additionally, holograms can serve as tamper-evident features to
protect the authenticity of the medicine. If someone tries to remove a hologram
from a product label, cap, or seal, it will leave a visible mark on the
holographic image, indicating tampering with the product.
Other than this, security sealing and breakable caps are some of the tampering
evidence techniques used to prevent counterfeit medicine.
2. Colour-shifting security inks and films:
Color-shifting inks are special inks that can appear as one or more distinct
colors when viewed from different angles. Only a few suppliers produce these
inks, and their distribution is tightly controlled to ensure security for the
original manufacturers. Due to these security measures, counterfeiters often
fail to use this type of ink in fake medicines.
3. Security graphics:
Security graphics such as fine line color printing and the subtle use of pastel
spot colors are difficult for counterfeiters to scan and reproduce.
Incorporating micro text and latent images into the product's design can also
help protect its authenticity from fake manufacturers or counterfeiters.
Advantages:
1. It aids in verifying the authenticity of the product for the user.
2. It provides a more secure production of medicine
3. It helps to stop the production of counterfeit medicine by its fake
manufacturer.
4. It can produce supply chain details for the user.
Disadvantages:
1. The user needs an education to understand the security system of the drug.
2. It may be easily mimicked.
3. It may be expensive to produce.
4. It may give a false assurance.
Covert security:
The covert security feature helps to identify the counterfeit drugs to the brand
owners. Here are some of the techniques which can help to prevent counterfeit
medicines:
1. Invisible printing: Using invisible inks in the product printings, which can
be visible under certain conditions like UV or IR wavelength, can help to
prevent counterfeit medicine.
2. Embedded image: Manufacturers can use an invisible image that can be
embedded and visible under a certain filter. This helps to prevent the
reproduction of the image under normal scanning methods.
3. Digital watermarks: Manufacturers can use digitally encoded invisible data
that can be captured and verified by a webcam, mobile phone, or other
software equipment while remaining invisible to the naked eye.
4. Hidden marks and printing: Using special marks or prints can prevent
duplicating the original products from the fake manufacturer.
5. Anti–copy or Anti-scan design: Anti-copy or anti-san design is a unique
pattern or design that looks uniform. Still, when you try to copy or scan,
it becomes a latent image that is not present in the original.
6. Laser coding: Laser coding, which can provide variable batch details,
requires specialized and expensive equipment. Applying laser codes to
packaging materials such as cartons, labels, plastics, and metal components
can be challenging.
Advantage:
1. It is simple and cost-effective to implement.
2. It needs no regulatory approval.
3. It can be easily added to the product.
4. The original manufacturer can easily identify it.
Disadvantage:
1. It is highly confidential and needs strict secrecy.
2. If this secret breaks out, it can be easily copied all over.
3. It is difficult to add a supplier chain due to the complex security options.
4. Requirements of equipment in manufacturing.
Forensic markers:
Forensic markers are unique identifiers that help detect counterfeit medicines
from authenticated medicines.
1. Biological taggants: Adding a biological marker in very low concentrations to
the product's coating or packaging can make it undetectable to counterfeiters
while remaining highly specific to the original product.
2. Micro taggants:
Micro taggants are particles visible only under the microscope. They contain
unique coded information for each variant, which can be in alphanumeric data or
fragments of multicolored or multilayered laminates with a signature color
combination embedded in the product's packaging.
ENDNOTES
In this technology-driven era, it is challenging to detect and prevent
counterfeit medicine due to the use of advanced technology that makes fake
medicine closely resemble genuine products. One way to combat counterfeit
medicine is by leveraging the same technology counterfeiters use to produce fake
products. It is also crucial to educate people about counterfeit medicine and
how to use technology to detect it. Technological innovations in medicine
packaging are necessary to ensure the authenticity of generic medicines.
Incorporating digital technologies and highly secured data into pharmaceutical
packaging can help prevent the production and distribution of counterfeit
medicine.