Capsules

PRICE REGULATION

Syringe-makers cut trade margins

The All India Syringes and Needles Manufacturers Association has decided to voluntarily cap trade margins to a maximum of 75 per cent on ex-factory prices (including GST) latest by January 26, 2018, a note said. The move followed incidents of patients being overcharged and a meeting with the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority, which advised it to either voluntarily limit margins and MRP or face government action. The move could be extended to other medical consumables, disposables and implants notified as drugs, the note indicated.

MARKET ACTION

EU raises red flag

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) recommendation to suspend marketing of modified- or prolonged-release products containing paracetamol (designed to release paracetamol slowly over a longer period) has been endorsed by the Coordination Group for Mutual Recognition and Decentralised Procedures. The medicines will remain suspended unless the companies that hold the marketing authorisations can provide evidence of appropriate and practical EU-wide measures to help prevent overdose with these products and adequately reduce its risks.

ON A HIGH

Keeping up the pressure

The US Food and Drug Administration has approved Giapreza (angiotensin II) injection for intravenous infusion to increase blood pressure in adults with septic or other distributive shock. “Shock, the inability to maintain blood flow to vital tissues, can result in organ failure and death,” said Norman Stockbridge, director of the Division of Cardiovascular and Renal Products in the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. Blood pressure is the force of blood pushing against the walls of the arteries as the heart pumps out blood. Hypotension is abnormally low BP.