Page 143 - CW E-Magazine (26-3-2024)

Top Stories Pharmaceuticals

BIOFUELS CURBING INDUCEMENTS
Ethanol as fuel launched by Petroleum Minister Government issues marketing code for pharmaceutical

fi rms
Mr. Hardeep Singh Puri, Union
Minister for Petroleum & Natural Gas
(MoPNG) and Housing and Urban The Department of Pharmaceuticals ceutical company or its agent, i.e., sistent with the terms of its market-
Affairs, launched ‘Ethanol 100’, an eth- issued the Uniform Code for Pharma- distributors, wholesalers, retailers, etc. ing approval, and a drug must not be
anol-based automotive fuel at an Indi- ceutical Marketing Practices (UCP- Additionally, no pecuniary advantage promoted prior to the receipt of its
an Oil Corporation (IOC) retail outlet MP) 2024 on March 13, specifying the or benefi t in kind may be offered, sup- marketing approval from the compe-
in New Delhi on March 15, 2024. This rules of the use of the words “safe’’ and plied or promised to any person quali- tent authority, authorising its sale or
marks the launch of the fuel at select “new’’ for drugs, and stated that medi- fi ed to prescribe or supply drugs by any distribution.
183 retail outlets across fi ve states – cal representatives must not employ pharmaceutical company or its agent.
Maharashtra, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, any inducement or subterfuge to gain “Claims for the usefulness of a drug
New Delhi, and Tamil Nadu. an interview, and that they must not The latest UCPMP also notes that must be based on up-to-date evaluation
pay, under any guise, for access to a paid travel, hotel stays, etc., should not of all available evidence. The word
Mr. Pankaj Jain, Secretary, MoPNG; healthcare professional. be extended to healthcare professionals ‘safe’ must not be used without quali-
Mr. S.M. Vaidya, Chairman, IOC, senior or their family members by pharma- fi cation, and it must not be stated cate-
offi cials from MoP&NG, and functional Engagement of the pharmaceutical ceutical companies or their representa- gorically that a medicine has no side
Directors of IOC also participated in industry with healthcare professio- tives, unless the person is a speaker for effects, toxic hazards, or risk of addic-
the launch ceremony. nals for Continuing Medical Education a CME, etc. tion. The word ‘new’ must not be used
(CME) should only be allowed through to describe any drug which has been
‘Ethanol 100’ is not 100% ethanol. a well-defi ned, transparent, and verifi - The UCPMP is to be circulated for generally available or any therapeutic
It includes 93-93.5% ethanol blended able set of guidelines, and conduct of strict compliance, and all industry asso- intervention which has been generally
with 5% petrol and 1.5% co-solvent. such events in foreign locations is pro- ciations have been requested to consti- promoted in India for more than a
exchange, and boosting the agricul- ethanol blending by 2025-26. During hibited by the uniform code. tute an Ethics Committee for Pharma- year,” the latest rules state.
Calling it a revolutionary fuel, the ture sector. Since the Prime Minister’s the last 10 years these ethanol blend- ceutical Marketing Practices, set up a
Minister said that ‘Ethanol 100’ fuel has announcement on E20 (20% ethanol ing initiatives have enhanced farmer Companies or their representatives dedicated UCPMP portal on their web- All Indian pharmaceutical associ-
the potential to transform our transpor- blended fuel) in 2023, the E20 availabi- incomes, increased rural employment, should not pay cash or monetary grants site, and take further necessary steps for ations are to upload the UCPMP on
tation sector and reduce our dependence lity has increased to 12,000 outlets in reduced CO emissions equivalent to to any healthcare professional or their the code’s implementation. their website along with the detailed
2
on fossil fuels. “It refl ects the govern- under a year, and now, with the launch of planting 1.75-crore trees and resulted family members (both immediate and procedure for lodging of complaints,
ment’s commitment to reducing im- ‘Ethanol100’ at 183 outlets of IOC, we in savings of Rs. 85,000-crore worth of extended) under any pretext. Promotion of drugs which will be linked to the UCPMP
port dependency, conserving foreign are close to achieving the target of 20% foreign exchange,” the Minister stated. On drugs, the UCPMP states that portal of the Department of Pharma-
Gifting is prohibited by any pharma- promotion of a drug must be con- ceuticals.
ICT Drinking water technology bags grant DOMESTIC OFFERING

from Cummins Zydus Lifesciences launches cancer drug, Olaparib

A start-up from the Institute of can be retrofi tted in existing hand- Zydus Lifesciences has launched be administered this PARP inhibitor diagnosed with these specifi c cancers, the
Chemical Technology (ICT), Mumbai, pumps and it doesn’t require chemicals cancer drug Olaparib, a PARP inhibitor, which can delay the progression of the right diagnosis and the right treatment
HydroCawach Technologies Pvt. Ltd., or electricity to operate. under the brand name IBYRA in India. disease. early on can give them a big advantage
has signed an agreement with Venture in the fi ght against cancers. Our patient
Center, CSIR-National Chemical Labo- This innovation behind the device The drug targets specifi c genetic To help identify the right patients and support focus in launching IBYRA helps
ratory (CSIR-NCL), Pune, for the stems from the research work of mutations prevalent in certain types facilitate access, Zydus has collaborated them with both cutting-edge diagnosis
Cummins Corporate Social Responsi- Dr. Aniruddha Pandit, Vice Chancellor, of cancers, paving the way for more with MedGenome for comprehensive for HRD positive cancer and precision
bilty (CSR) grant. ICT, Mumbai, and Dr. Nilesh L Jadhav, tailored and effective treatment approach. HRD testing. The price for this, along therapy in the most affordable way.
Founder Director, HydroCawach Tech- with a year-long treatment of IBYRA, We believe this will reduce the disease
The aim of the project is to deploy nology, and promises to provide clean Among cancer patients in India, has been capped at Rs. 3-lakh, as com- burden for the patients in a signifi cant
and validate a novel water disinfecting, Mark II Handpumps’, benefi ting rural and safe drinking water for people in those who are diagnosed as HRD posi- pared to the cost of around Rs. 72-lakh way,” said Dr. Sharvil Patel, Managing
no-maintenance attachment for ‘India communities across India. The device rural India. tive or with BRACA mutation need to by the innovator. “For patients newly Director, Zydus Lifesciences.

142 Chemical Weekly March 26, 2024 Chemical Weekly March 26, 2024 143

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