GS PAPER II: Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.
Context: Some children with COVID-related syndrome develop Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome, typically emerges two to six weeks after a COVID infection.
COVID-related inflammatory syndrome:
Physical symptoms: rash, abdominal pain, red eyes and, most seriously, heart problems like low blood pressure, shock and difficulty pumping.
Neurological symptoms: hallucinations, confusion, speech impairments, and problems with balance and coordination.
- The syndrome is related to a surge of inflammation triggered by an immune response to the virus.
https://indianexpress.com/article/world/some-children-covid-syndrome-develop-neurological-symptoms-7273013/
Drugs and Cosmetics Act
Context: New Regulatory Regime for 8 Medical Items under Drugs and Cosmetics Act.
- Transition time of 6 months allowed for ensuring supply chain continuity and access while implementing their regulatory order under Medical Devices Rules (2017)
- The Ministry of health and Family Welfare had notified the following medical items to be regulated under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act under Medical Devices Rules 2017:
- All Implantable Medical Devices;
- CT scan equipment;
- MRI equipment;
- Defibrillators;
- PET Equipment;
- Dialysis Machine;
- X-Ray Machine; and
- Bone marrow cell separator.
- As per the said order the importers/manufacturers are required to take import/manufacturing licence from Central Licencing Authority or State Licencing Authority.
Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940
- It is an Act of the Parliament of India, which regulates the import, manufacture and distribution of drugs in India.
- The primary objective of the act is to ensure that the drugs and cosmetics sold in India are safe, effective and conform to state quality standards.
- The related Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945 contains provisions for classification of drugs under given schedules and there are guidelines for the storage, sale, display and prescription of each schedule.
- The original act was prepared in accordance to the recommendations of the Chopra Committee formed in 1930.
- The term "drug" as defined in the act includes a wide variety of substance, diagnostic and medical devices.
- The act defines "cosmetic" as any product that is meant to be applied to the human body for the purpose of beautifying or cleansing.
- The definition however excludes soaps.
- In 1964, the act was amended to include Ayurveda and Unani drugs.
https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1712575