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Byline: S. Mhatre, R. Nagrani, A. Budukh, S. Chiplunkar, R. Badwe, P. Patil, M. Laversanne, P. Rajaraman, F. Bray, R. Dikshit Context: Within India, the incidence of gallbladder cancer (GBC) [...]

Byline: R. Dikshit It is important to do research and to publish it. In addition to teaching (training) and service, research is also an integral function of an academic discipline. [...]

Byline: Jigar. Kapadia, Chetna. Desai, Manish. Solanki, Asha. Shah, R. Dikshit Objectives: To assess the efficacy and safety of anti-tuberculosis drugs in HIV-positive patients at a tertiary care teaching hospital. [...]

Byline: Jigar. Kapadia, Samidh. Shah, Chetna. Desai, Mira. Desai, Shivani. Patel, Asha. Shah, R. Dikshit Tenofovir was introduced as a second line drug for the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus [...]

Byline: R. Dikshit Animal experiments have frequently been a talking point in India. Maybe it is because we have always been compassionate not only to our fellow humans but also [...]

Byline: Mira. Desai, Geetha. Iyer, R. Dikshit Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is now recognized as a chronic illness. Although the success of highly active antiretroviral therapy is beyond question, [...]

Byline: V. Noronha, R. Dikshit, N. Raut, A. Joshi, C. Pramesh, K. George, J. Agarwal, A. Munshi, K. Prabhash Context: Lung cancer has varied epidemiology depending on the geographic region. [...]

Byline: Samidh. Shah, Chetna. Desai, Mira. Desai, R. Dikshit A-24 year-old male was prescribed prednisolone (60 mg/day) for left sided facial palsy. After three days of therapy, the patient complained [...]

Byline: R. Dikshit Not a bad news for fixed dose combination (FDC) enthusiasts! In a retrospective, longitudinal, cohort design study in the UK, it has been concluded that the safety [...]

Byline: R. Dikshit Patients who believe they are allergic to multiple, pharmacologically unrelated drugs are usually mistaken. This is the message of a retrospective review carried out for 5 years [...]

Byline: R. Dikshit The National Pharmacovigilance Programme of India (NPVI) has recently been launched. A renewed effort, yet, a right step in the right direction, something that is our own, [...]

Byline: Samir. Prajapati, Samidh. Shah, Chetna. Desai, Mira. Desai, R. Dikshit Drugs account for 1-2% of all cases of pancreatitis. A 58-year-old man was prescribed atorvastatin 10 mg for 6 [...]

Byline: R. Dikshit With this issue, a new editorial team takes over the reins of Indian Journal of Pharmacology. Although the names (and designations) may have changed (a little), the [...]

Byline: R. Dikshit, Chetna. Desai, M. Desai Introduction 'Pharmacovigilance is the science and activity relating the detection, assessment, understanding and prevention of adverse effects or any other possible drug - [...]

Byline: R. Dikshit The postgraduate course is an important point in the career of a medical student. Pharmacology is now becoming a conscious choice rather than a compulsion, superseding the [...]

Objective: To analyze the rationality of antimicrobial (AM) and respiratory (RP) fi xed dose combinations (FDCs) available in Indian market. Materials and Methods: Antimicrobial and RP FDCs enlisted in Indian Drug Review 2010 and 2013 respectively were analyzed by a pretested validated 8 point criteria tool. Each FDC was assessed for number of active pharmacological ingredients, approval by regulatory authority, listing in World Health Organization (WHO) essential medicine list (EML) or National List of Essential Medicine. While effi cacy, safety, pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic interactions and advantages of each FDC were analyzed by evidence based literature search. Each criterion was scored one for positive and minus one for negative or unfavorable observation. The total score for the tool was 12 and score ≥7 was considered rational. Results: Of 209 FDCs, 108 were AMs and 101 were RPs. The mean rationality score was 5.41 ± 1.63 (95% CI, 2.15-8.67). Majority of FDCs were irrational (174) while 35 were rational, and only 12 of these were listed in WHO EML 2013. Out of 108 AM FDCs, 21 (19%) were rational while 87 (81%) were irrational. Out of 101 RP FDCs, 14 (14%) were rational while 87 (86%) were irrational and 24 (24%) with unfavorable pharmacodynamic interactions. Majority of the rational AM FDCs were antiretroviral (6) agents while RP FDCs were indicated for chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases. While majority of irrational FDCs were AM plus steroids, β2 agonists plus antihistaminics/expectorants/anticholinergics/mast cell stabilizers/leukotriene receptor antagonists. Conclusion: Rationality assessment of AM and RP FDCs reveals that a substantial number of these FDCs in Indian market are irrational. This calls for a close scrutiny of marketed FDCs and educating prescribers to use them with great care and caution. This also indicates a serious review of the regulatory framework for drug manufacturing and marketing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the field of natural pigment production, Monascus sp. is a well known name. These pigments have their applicability as food colorants. In this study, two Monascus sp. namely Monascus purpureus procured from MTCC, Chandigarh, India and Monascus sanguineus isolated inhouse, were compared for pigment production in submerged fermentation. Glycerol was used as sole carbon source and malt extract as sole nitrogen source in synthetic defined media. These media were optimized by employing factorial design and response surface techniques. It was observed from the study that Monascus purpureus was able to grow on these media but pigment yield was less compared to Monascus sanguineus. The maximum value of pigment yield was observed around 9.2 CVU/mL with glycerol concentration of 36.96 g/L and malt extract concentration of 8 g/L for M. purpureus. For the isolated culture, this value was observed as 26.98 CVU/mL at 8 g/L of malt extract concentration and 64 g/L of glycerol concentration with both the variables showing the impact. The biomass also showed similar trend with both the strains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose and Aim: Multi-drug resistance in treatment-experienced human immune deficiency virus (HIV) patients has been a major cause to first line antiretroviral therapy (ART) failure, necessitating a switch to second line therapy. In India, the second line treatment program is still relatively new with little experience and unclear outcomes. It is therefore, critical to assess the clinical, virological and immunological effectiveness and treatment outcome over the 1st year of follow-up in the patients' switched to the second line ART at public sector tertiary care center. Materials and Methods: A prospective, observational study was carried out on HIV positive patients switched on second line ART from January 2010 to December 2010 at ART Centre, Civil Hospital, Ahmedabad. Demographic details, symptoms, adverse drug reactions (ADRs), second line ART regimens, CD4 count, and plasma viral load (PVL) were recorded in a case record form. Patients were followed-up monthly for 12 months. The data was analyzed by t-test, z-test, and Fisher-exact test. Results: Out of 126 patients, 82 received regimen V [zidovudine (ZDV) + lamivudine (3TC) + tenofovir (TDF) + boosted lopinavir (LPV/r)] and 44 received regimen Va [3TC + TDF + LPV/r]. A significant ( P < 0.0001) increase in mean body weight and marked reduction in number of patients (7) categorized as WHO stage III/IV was observed at 12 months of second line ART. Moreover, a significant immune reconstitution with increase in mean CD4 count and viral suppression (PVL < 400 copies/ml) in 103 (82%) patients ( P < 0.0001) was also observed. A total of 83 ADRs were observed in 69 (55%) patients, the most common being dyslipidemia (57) followed by anemia (9). Conclusion: Early treatment outcome with second line ART was good with 82% success rate in treatment experienced HIV patients. Dyslipidemia and anemia were the common ADRs observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To analyze the prescribing pattern and appropriateness of drug treatment of diarrhoea in hospitalized children. The economic burden of the disease and adverse drug reactions (ADRs) occurring during the course of treatment was also studied. Materials and Methods: It was a prospective, observational, single center study undertaken in pediatric inpatients of diarrhea, aged one month to twelve years over a period of eighteen months at a tertiary care teaching hospital in western India. Modified Kunin's criteria along with the guidelines set by the Indian Academy of Pediatrics (IAP) and WHO were followed for assessing the appropriateness of the antimicrobials prescribed. The adverse drug reactions occurring during course of the treatment were noted and the economic burden of the disease was calculated as direct and indirect costs. Results: A total of 103 patients were enrolled, of whom 45% were in the age group of one month to one year. Diarrhoea with some dehydration was diagnosed in 50.5% patients followed by severe dehydration (34.9%) and no dehydration (14.6%). The number of drugs and antimicrobials prescribed per patient were 7.53±1.87 and 1.92±0.67, respectively. Rehydration fluids (31.6%) and antimicrobials (25.5%) were the commonest drug groups prescribed. Among the antimicrobials, cefotaxime, cotrimoxazole and amoxicillin with clavulanic acid were frequently prescribed. Appropriate antibacterial therapy was given in only 13% of the cases. Only one ADR due to cotrimoxazole was observed. The economic burden of the disease was calculated to be Rs. 3164.81 per patient. Conclusion: Inappropriate use of antimicrobials was seen in the study. Emphasis on proper diagnosis and treatment, education and availability of locally effective guidelines may help in a better and judicious use of drugs in children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]