Single dose SelfJect corticotropin injection approved by FDA

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted approval for supplemental New Drug Application (sNDA) for ‘Acthar Gel Single-Dose Pre-filled SelfJect Injector’ (repository corticotropin injection).

Mallinckrodt plc, announced the availability of the Acthar Gel (repository corticotropin injection) Single-Dose Pre-filled SelfJect™ Injector (herein referred to as “SelfJect”), offering a new administration option for Acthar Gel for appropriate patients with a range of chronic and acute inflammatory and autoimmune conditions.1 The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) previously approved Mallinckrodt’s supplemental New Drug Application (sNDA) for SelfJect in February 2024.

Acthar Gel is a naturally sourced complex mixture of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) analogs and other pituitary peptides.1 Acthar Gel is approved by the FDA for the treatment of several autoimmune disorders and medical conditions known to cause inflammation.

Acthar Gel is the first and only medication in its class of adrenocorticotropic hormone products available in two forms of administration ­­– multi-dose vial and syringe and SelfJect.1 The color-coded device is pre-filled with Acthar Gel, available in 40 USP units/0.5 mL (green label) and 80 USP units/1.0 mL (purple label) versions.1,2,3 SelfJect requires less preparation with fewer materials and steps for the administration of Acthar Gel compared to the multi-dose vial and syringe.2,3 The latex-free device also has additional safety elements, including a hidden needle intended to help protect patients against needlesticks.2,3,4 SelfJect is for subcutaneous administration by people 18 years of age or older and is designed to deliver the appropriate dose of Acthar Gel, as prescribed by a healthcare professional.1,2,3

“The launch of SelfJect is a significant advancement for patients who take Acthar Gel as it is designed to simplify the injection process, help ensure accurate dosing, and has enhanced safety features. SelfJect supports patients by helping to make treatment easier to administer than a multi-dose vial and syringe, particularly for patients with dexterity issues,”5 said Kostas Botsoglou, MD, Managing Partner of Rheumatology Center of Western New York. “I’m looking forward to being able to provide this option to appropriate patients in my practice to help them adhere to their treatment plans, which are intended to better their chances for improved outcomes.”

Acthar Gel has an established efficacy and safety profile, as well as a long track record of clinical experience spanning more than 70 years.1 Acthar Gel is accessible to over 220 million individuals covered by commercial insurance and Medicare.6 Acthar Gel has been prescribed by over 9,200 healthcare professionals and used by more than 43,500 patients (2013 to 2021).7

“We’re excited to deliver an option that not only helps to address the needs of the patient communities we serve, but also underscores our commitment to the modernization of Acthar Gel. We know that managing chronic and acute inflammatory and autoimmune conditions can be difficult, and we’re proud to offer this new delivery device, designed to better support patients, caregivers, and medical professionals in managing appropriate conditions,” said Lisa French, Executive Vice President & Chief Commercial Officer.

Mallinckrodt is committed to providing therapy for appropriate patients with difficult-to-treat conditions. Mallinckrodt offers a suite of services for eligible Acthar Gel patients including support with obtaining insurance coverage, commercial copay assistance, a patient assistance program, injection training services, and customized assistance by a nurse navigator. Mallinckrodt also offers a team of field-based experts who provide education for healthcare professionals on the reimbursement process as well as tools available for patients. For more information about Mallinckrodt’s programs and patient support please visit ActharHCP.com.

For patients who prefer or require the traditional administration method, Acthar Gel continues to be available in the multi-dose vial. This method remains appropriate for patients who require doses other than 40 or 80 units.1 SelfJect is not to be used for the treatment of infantile spasms. The process for starting new patients on Acthar Gel using SelfJect remains the same as for those starting with the multi-dose vial – there are no additional access steps for SelfJect. If a new customer is interested in learning more about SelfJect, they can reach out to their local representative or visit ActharHCP.com.

INDICATIONS

Acthar Gel is indicated for:

Inducing a diuresis or a remission of proteinuria in nephrotic syndrome without uremia of the idiopathic type or that due to lupus erythematosus

Monotherapy for the treatment of infantile spasms in infants and children under 2 years of age

Treatment of acute exacerbations of multiple sclerosis in adults. Controlled clinical trials have shown Acthar to be effective in speeding the resolution of acute exacerbations of multiple sclerosis. However, there is no evidence that it affects the ultimate outcome or natural history of the disease.

Severe acute and chronic allergic and inflammatory processes involving the eye and its adnexa such as: keratitis, iritis, iridocyclitis, diffuse posterior uveitis and choroiditis, optic neuritis, chorioretinitis, anterior segment inflammation

Symptomatic sarcoidosis

Treatment during an exacerbation or as maintenance therapy in selected cases of systemic lupus erythematosus

Treatment during an exacerbation or as maintenance therapy in selected cases of systemic dermatomyositis (polymyositis)

Adjunctive therapy for short-term administration (to tide the patient over an acute episode or exacerbation) in: psoriatic arthritis; rheumatoid arthritis, including juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (selected cases may require low-dose maintenance therapy); ankylosing spondylitis

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Air pollution during pregnancy linked to reduced lung function during childhood, claims study

Air pollution during pregnancy linked to reduced lung function during childhood, claims study published in the Pediatric Pulmonolgy.

The adverse effects of high air pollution levels on childhood lung function are well-known. Limited evidence exists on the effects of moderate exposure levels during early life on childhood lung function. We investigated the association of exposure to moderate air pollution during pregnancy, infancy, and preschool time with lung function at school age in a Swiss population-based study. Fine-scale spatiotemporal model estimates of particulate matter with a diameter <2.5 µm (PM2.5) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) were linked with residential address histories. We compared air pollution exposures within different time windows (whole pregnancy, first, second, and third trimester of pregnancy, first year of life, preschool age) with forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC) measured cross-sectionally using linear regression models adjusted for potential confounders. Results: They included 2182 children, ages 6-17 years. Prenatal air pollution exposure was associated with reduced lung function at school age. In children aged 12 years, per 10 µg·m-3 increase in PM2.5 during pregnancy, FEV1 was 55 mL lower (95% CI -84 to -25 mL) and FVC 62 mL lower (95% CI -96 to -28 mL). Associations were age-dependent since they were stronger in younger and weaker in older children. PM2.5 exposure after birth was not associated with reduced lung function. There was no association between NO2 exposure and lung function. In utero lung development is most sensitive to air pollution exposure, since even modest PM2.5 exposure during the prenatal time was associated with reduced lung function, most prominent in younger children.

Reference:

Usemann J, Mozun R, Kuehni CE, de Hoogh K, Flueckiger B, Singer F, Zwahlen M, Moeller A, Latzin P; LUIS Study Group. Air pollution exposure during pregnancy and lung function in childhood: The LUIS study. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2024 Jul 9. doi: 10.1002/ppul.27169. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 38980223.

Keywords:

Air, pollution, pregnancy, linked, reduced, lung, function, during, childhood, claims, study, Usemann J, Mozun R, Kuehni CE, de Hoogh K, Flueckiger B, Singer F, Zwahlen M, Moeller A, Latzin P, air pollution; fetus; lung; nitrogen dioxide; particulate matter.

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Oral Methotrexate Reduces Knee Osteoarthritis Pain and Stiffness Significantly in 6-Month Study

UK: A randomized,
double-blind trial demonstrates that oral methotrexate, when combined with standard treatments, showed a statistically significant reduction in knee osteoarthritis (KOA) pain, stiffness, and functional impairment at the 6-month mark. The findings were published online in the Annals of
Internal Medicine on 30 July 2024.

Osteoarthritis is
classified as a degenerative disease that causes subchondral sclerosis,
subchondral cysts, bone remodeling (osteophyte production), and loss of
articular cartilage. The illness is typified by joint discomfort, functional
disability, and a marked decline in life quality. Conservative (non-operative)
and surgical (operative) approaches are typically used in KOA management. Pain,
stiffness, restricted joint mobility, and muscle weakness are common KOA
symptoms that severely hinder day-to-day activities and job performance.
Considering this, Sarah R. Kingsbury, from Leeds Institute of Rheumatic and
Musculoskeletal Medicine, University of Leeds, and National Institute for
Health and Care Research (NIHR) Leeds Biomedical Research Centre, Leeds, United
Kingdom, et.al conducted a study to assess the symptomatic benefits of
methotrexate in Knee Osteoarthritis.

For this purpose, the
research team conducted a randomized, multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled
trial involving 207 participants from the United Kingdom. The trial was
conducted from 13 June 2014 to 13 October 2017 in the 15 secondary care
musculoskeletal clinics in the United Kingdom.

The study included 207
individuals who had radiographic KOA and knee pain (severity ≥4 out of 10) on
most days during the previous three months and were not responding well to
their existing treatment were contacted. Over 12 months, they were randomized
1:1 to receive oral methotrexate once weekly (6-week escalation: 10 to 25 mg)
or a matched placebo, while continuing with their regular analgesic regimen. Average
knee pain (numerical rating scale [NRS] 0 to 10) at six months was the main
outcome, and a 12-month follow-up was conducted to evaluate the longer-term
response. Adverse events (AEs) and outcomes related to knee stiffness and
function were included as secondary end goals.

The findings revealed
that:

  • 64% of women with Kellgren-Lawrence grades 3
    to 4 received methotrexate at random. At six months, 86% of respondents were
    still following up.
  • In the methotrexate group, mean knee pain
    dropped from 6.4 at baseline to 5.1 at 6 months, while in the placebo group, it
    reduced from 6.8 to 6.2.
  • A statistically significant pain decrease of
    0.79 NRS points in favor of methotrexate was observed in the primary
    intention-to-treat analysis.
  • At six months, the McMaster University
    Osteoarthritis Index stiffness and function for Western Ontario and
    methotrexate showed statistically significant differences across treatment
    groups.
  • A dose-response impact was substantiated by a
    study of treatment adherence. Four separate major adverse events were noted.

“Throughout six months,
the addition of oral methotrexate to standard therapies considerably decreased
pain, stiffness, and functional impairment in patients with osteoarthritis of
the knee. Hence methotrexate is proven safe to use for the treatment of
osteoarthritis of the knee”, researchers concluded.

Reference

Kingsbury, S. R.,
Tharmanathan, P., Keding, A., Watt, F. E., Scott, D. L., Roddy, E., Birrell,
F., & Conaghan, P. G. (2024). Pain reduction with oral methotrexate in knee
osteoarthritis: A randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Annals of
Internal Medicine. https://doi.org/10.7326/M24-0303

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Addition of neostigmine to local anesthetic solution may reduce perioperative analgesia consumption, finds Study

Multiple techniques are used to manage postoperative pain in patients who have undergone scrotal surgeries, with one such approach being the ultrasound-guided spermatic cord block (US-SCB). In order to improve the quality of anesthesia and prolong postoperative pain relief, various agents have been combined with local agents. Recent study aimed to assess the effects of combining neostigmine with levobupivacaine in ultrasound-guided spermatic cord block (US-SCB) for providing perioperative analgesia in patients undergoing testicular sperm extraction (TESE) surgery. The double-blind, randomized controlled trial involved 112 subjects who were divided into two groups. One group received neostigmine and levobupivacaine in the US-SCB, while the other group received levobupivacaine alone. The primary outcomes measured were the duration of postoperative analgesia and the amount of analgesic consumed in the first 24 hours. The results showed that the group receiving the neostigmine and levobupivacaine combination had a significantly increased mean postoperative analgesia duration and reduced total analgesic consumption compared to the group receiving levobupivacaine alone. Additionally, the study found no significant differences in complications between the two groups.

Study Conclusion and Background Information

The study concluded that adding neostigmine to the local anesthetic solution in US-SCB delayed the first analgesic request postoperatively and reduced perioperative analgesia consumption without significant side effects. The study also discussed the background and aims, providing details about the TESE procedure and the various anesthesia options available, including local, spinal, and general anesthesia. The authors noted that while general anesthesia can control patient anxiety, it does not eliminate postoperative pain sensation, which can be managed with oral analgesics, parenteral opioids, and neuraxial or regional analgesia techniques. The paper discussed the benefits and limitations of using the spermatic cord block, as well as the importance of adding adjuvants to prolong the block’s postoperative duration and reduce the local anesthetic dose.

Study Methodology and Comparison with Previous Research

The paper also provided a detailed description of the study methodology, including the inclusion and exclusion criteria, randomization process, and anesthesia and surgical procedures. The findings of the study were compared with previous research on the use of neostigmine as an adjuvant to local agents in other regional anesthesia techniques, noting both supportive and conflicting evidence. The study acknowledged some limitations, including the small sample size and the need for further research to test different doses of the agents and assess the sensorial blocked area. Overall, the study suggests that adding neostigmine to a local anesthetic solution in spermatic cord block can be a promising choice to prolong the time for the first analgesic requirement postoperatively and reduce perioperative analgesia consumption without significant side effects.

Key Points

– The study aimed to evaluate the effects of combining neostigmine with levobupivacaine in ultrasound-guided spermatic cord block (US-SCB) for perioperative analgesia in patients undergoing testicular sperm extraction (TESE) surgery.

– A double-blind, randomized controlled trial involving 112 subjects showed that the group receiving neostigmine and levobupivacaine in the US-SCB had significantly increased mean postoperative analgesia duration and reduced total analgesic consumption compared to the group receiving levobupivacaine alone.

– The study concluded that adding neostigmine to the local anesthetic solution in US-SCB delayed the first analgesic request postoperatively and reduced perioperative analgesia consumption without significant side effects.

– Background information about the TESE procedure and anesthesia options, including local, spinal, and general anesthesia, was provided. The study discussed the benefits and limitations of using the spermatic cord block and highlighted the importance of adding adjuvants to prolong the block’s postoperative duration and reduce the local anesthetic dose.

– The paper detailed the study methodology, including inclusion and exclusion criteria, randomization process, anesthesia, and surgical procedures. The findings were compared with previous research on the use of neostigmine as an adjuvant to local agents in other regional anesthesia techniques.

– The study suggests that adding neostigmine to a local anesthetic solution in spermatic cord block can be a promising choice to prolong the time for the first analgesic requirement postoperatively and reduce perioperative analgesia consumption without significant side effects, though acknowledging the need for further research to test different doses of the agents and assess the sensorial blocked area.

Reference –

Wahdan AS, Moussa AA, Farag MA, Alayyaf HA, Mohamed MM. Postoperative analgesic effect of adding neostigmine to levobupivacaine in ultrasound‑guided spermatic cord block for testicular sperm extraction surgery. J Anaesthesiol Clin Pharmacol 2024 . DOI 10.4103/joacp.joacp_14_24.

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FDA Approves First Nasal Spray for emergency Treatment of serious allergies including Anaphylaxis

The U S Food and Drug Administration has approved neffy (epinephrine nasal spray) for the emergency treatment of allergic reactions (Type I), including those that are life-threatening (naphylaxis), in adult and pediatric patients who weigh at least 30 kilograms (about 66 pounds).

“Today’s approval provides the first epinephrine product for the treatment of anaphylaxis that is not administered by injection. Anaphylaxis is life-threatening and some people, particularly children, may delay or avoid treatment due to fear of injections,” said Kelly Stone, MD, PhD, Associate Director of the Division of Pulmonology, Allergy and Critical Care in the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. “The availability of epinephrine nasal spray may reduce barriers to rapid treatment of anaphylaxis. As a result, neffy provides an important treatment option and addresses an unmet need.”

Allergic reactions happen when a person’s immune system reacts abnormally to a substance that normally does not cause symptoms. Anaphylaxis is a severe, life-threatening allergic reaction that typically involves multiple parts of the body and is considered a medical emergency. Common allergens that can induce anaphylaxis include certain foods, medications and insect stings. Symptoms usually occur within minutes of exposure and include, but are not limited to, hives, swelling, itching, vomiting, difficulty breathing and loss of consciousness. Epinephrine is the only life-saving treatment for anaphylaxis and has previously only been available for patients as an injection.

Neffy’s approval is based on four studies in 175 healthy adults, without anaphylaxis, that measured the epinephrine concentrations in the blood following administration of neffy or approved epinephrine injection products. Results from these studies showed comparable epinephrine blood concentrations between neffy and approved epinephrine injection products. Neffy also demonstrated similar increases in blood pressure and heart rate as epinephrine injection products, two critical effects of epinephrine in the treatment of anaphylaxis. A study of neffy in children weighing more than 66 pounds showed that epinephrine concentrations in children were similar to adults who received neffy.

Neffy is a single dose nasal spray administered into one nostril. As with epinephrine injection products, a second dose (using a new nasal spray to administer neffy in the same nostril) may be given if there is no improvement in symptoms or symptoms worsen. Patients may need to seek emergency medical assistance for close monitoring of the anaphylactic episode and in the event further treatment is required.

Neffy comes with a warning that certain nasal conditions, such as nasal polyps or a history of nasal surgery, may affect absorption of neffy, and patients with these conditions should consult with a health care professional to consider use of an injectable epinephrine product. Neffy also comes with warnings and precautions about use of epinephrine by people with certain coexisting conditions and allergic reactions associated with sulfite.

The most common side effects of neffy include throat irritation, tingling nose (intranasal paresthesia), headache, nasal discomfort, feeling jittery, tingling sensation (paresthesia), fatigue, tremor, runny nose (rhinorrhea), itchiness inside the nose (nasal pruritus), sneezing, abdominal pain, gum (gingival) pain, numbness in the mouth (hypoesthesia oral), nasal congestion, dizziness, nausea and vomiting.

The FDA granted neffy Fast Track designation for this application.

The FDA granted the approval of neffy to ARS Pharmaceuticals.

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Evidence Links Genetically Determined Asthma to Spontaneous Abortion and Gestational Diabetes: Study

China: Genetically determined asthma is linked to a higher likelihood of spontaneous abortion (SA) and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), a recent study published in Heliyon has revealed. There is a need for further research to examine potential pathways.

“However, there is insufficient conclusive evidence supporting an elevated risk of spontaneous abortion and gestational diabetes in individuals diagnosed early with asthma or the interplay between asthma and preterm birth (PTB) or preeclampsia (PE). This suggests that confounding variables may have influenced findings in prior observational studies,” the researchers wrote.

Mendelian randomization is a technique that uses genetic variants as instruments to explore causal relationships between exposures (like asthma) and outcomes (such as adverse pregnancy conditions). Unlike observational studies that can be affected by confounding factors, Mendelian randomization leverages genetic information to minimize bias and strengthen causal inference.

Several empirical studies have suggested a link between asthma and adverse pregnancy outcomes (APOs). However, the precise impact of asthma on APOs remains unclear. Considering this, Xinyu Han, Department of First Clinical Medical College, Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin, China, and colleagues performed univariate Mendelian randomization (UVMR) and MVMR studies to identify the causal association between asthma and APOs.

Bi-directional UVMR analyses were performed using combined information obtained from genome-wide association studies (GWAS) data. The primary method employed to assess the causal relationship between asthma or age at diagnosis and adverse APOs was the inverse variance weighted (IVW) method.

The exposure data from two sources were obtained from the IEU Open GWAS project, comprising 56,167 and 47,222 European asthma patients, respectively. Data on four adverse pregnancy outcomes were extracted from the GWAS dataset of the FinnGen collaboration. To mitigate potential confounding effects, including smoking status, frequent drinking, body mass index (BMI), and number of live births, the researchers utilized multivariable Mendelian randomization (MVMR). Additionally, rigorous sensitivity analyses were conducted to validate the robustness of the Mendelian randomization findings.

The following were the key findings of the study:

  • Following the implementation of the Bonferroni adjustment, the UVMR assessment revealed that in the IVW model, asthma was significantly linked to an elevated risk of spontaneous abortion (SA) (odds ratio [OR]: 1.115) and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) (OR: 1.125).
  • There was no causal correlation between asthma and preterm birth (PTB) (OR: 0.979) or preeclampsia (PE) (OR: 1.059).
  • After adjusting for confounding factors, including smoking status, frequent drinking, BMI, and live birth quantity, the MVMR analysis shows a statistically significant causal relationship between asthma and SA or GDM.
  • The investigation’s findings did not reveal a substantial correlation between the age of asthma onset based on genetics and the likelihood of SA or GDM.
  • The inverse MR outcomes indicate a lack of causal connection linking APOs to the incidence of asthma.
  • Sensitivity analyses verified the validity of these findings.

“The study provides evidence indicating a genetic predisposition to asthma is associated with an increased risk of spontaneous abortion and gestational diabetes mellitus,” the researchers wrote. “Further exploration is required to elucidate the underlying mechanisms. However, our analysis did not find conclusive evidence linking an earlier diagnosis of asthma with heightened risks of SA and GDM, nor did it reveal a significant interaction between asthma and either preterm birth or preeclampsia.”

“These findings suggest that previous observational research may have been influenced by confounding variables,” they concluded.

Reference:

Han, Xinyu, et al. “Asthma and Risk of Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes: a Mendelian Randomization Study.” Heliyon, vol. 10, no. 13, 2024, pp. e33857.

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Smartphone AI model highly accurate in detecting pediatric eye diseases: JAMA

A new study published in the Journal of American Medical Association unveiled the artificial intelligence (AI) model which used only photos from smartphones, showed good performance in correctly diagnosing ptosis, strabismus, and myopia.

Early detection of pediatric eye disorders is a global concern where conventional screening methods are costly and time-consuming, requiring hospitals and ophthalmologists. Artificial intelligence might make it easier to diagnose eye diseases in a home environment by evaluating children’s eye health using smartphone images. Qin Shu and colleagues carried out this research to create an AI model that can recognize ptosis, myopia, and strabismus from cellphone photos.

Children having a diagnosis of myopia, strabismus, or ptosis were included in this cross-sectional study, which took place at the Department of Ophthalmology at Shanghai Ninth People’s Hospital between October 1, 2022 and September 30, 2023. A deep learning-based model for the diagnosis of ptosis, strabismus, and myopia was created. Sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, negative predictive values (NPV), positive predictive values (PPV), negative likelihood ratios (N-LR), positive likelihood ratios (P-LR),the area under the curve (AUC), and the F1-score were used to evaluate the model’s performance. The effect of each region on the model was visually and analytically evaluated using GradCAM++. To confirm the model’s generalizability, subgroup analyses by age and sex were carried out.

The model was constructed using 1419 pictures altogether, taken from 476 patients (225 female [47.27%] and 299 [62.82%] aged between 6 and 12 years). Of these, 473 binocular photos were utilized to diagnose strabismus, while 946 monocular images were used to diagnose myopia and ptosis. In terms of myopia, strabismus, and ptosis, the model showed high sensitivity. During sex subgroup analysis, the model performed as well in diagnosing eye abnormalities in children that were male and female. The ability to recognize eye diseases varied depending on the age group.

This cross-sectional study discovered that an AI-based detection algorithm performed well in properly recognizing myopia, strabismus, and ptosis using just smartphone photos. These findings imply that it can help families test their children for myopia, strabismus, and ptosis, allowing for early detection and lowering the risk of visual impairment and severe difficulties caused by delayed screening.

Reference:

Shu, Q., Pang, J., Liu, Z., Liang, X., Chen, M., Tao, Z., Liu, Q., Guo, Y., Yang, X., Ding, J., Chen, R., Wang, S., Li, W., Zhai, G., Xu, J., & Li, L. (2024). Artificial Intelligence for Early Detection of Pediatric Eye Diseases Using Mobile Photos. In JAMA Network Open (Vol. 7, Issue 8, p. e2425124). American Medical Association (AMA). https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.25124

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PG Medico Murder at RG Kar Medical College: Doctors announce nationwide protest

New Delhi: As doctors across the country have come out on the streets demanding justice for the PG medico who was brutally raped and murdered in the seminar room of RG Kar Medical College, police have come out with the arrest of the prime suspect, Sanjay Roy.

The arrest followed the discovery of a crucial piece of evidence—a Bluetooth device left at the crime scene. This small but vital clue played a pivotal role in leading investigators to Roy. Detailed forensic analysis linked the device to Roy, who had been observed in CCTV footage near the seminar hall around the time of the crime. Roy was arrested on Saturday and was sent to 14-day police custody. He confessed to the crime

As per sources, Sanjay Roy was a civic volunteer. Though officially termed as civic volunteers, many still refer to them as “civic police”, which was originally created in Bengal to assist the police and also a part of a powerful police welfare board. Since he was a civic volunteer, Roy had an easy access in the hospital. He was seen entering the hospital at around 4 am and leaving leaving the premises early on Friday morning. 

The accused was charged under sections 64 (rape) and 103 (murder) of BNS and was produced before Sealdah court, which remanded him to police custody till August 23.

The victim, a 31-year-old doctor, was found deceased in a seminar hall at the hospital on Friday morning. The initial autopsy of the post-graduate trainee doctor indicated that she was murdered after being sexually assaulted. There was bleeding from the woman’s private parts, said the report. There were injuries to other parts of the body as well

“This is definitely not a case of suicide; the woman was murdered following sexual assault,” a police officer told news agency PTI.

Meanwhile, In response to the incident, junior doctors and students at various state-run hospitals, including RG Kar Medical College, National Medical College, and Medical College, Kolkata, held protest sit-ins and processions. Similar protests also took place at district hospitals such as Bardhaman Medical College and Bankura Sammilani Medical College. Protests and pen-down strikes are being continued in various parts of the country

Maintaining that protests and processions by junior doctors demanding exemplary punishment for the accused and enhanced security at hospitals were justified, the Chief Minister of the state urged the doctors to also carry on giving healthcare services to patients.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced to seek a death penalty for the perpetrator. Her announcement came shortly after the accused, who was reportedly an outsider frequenting the hospital premises, was arrested and later remanded to 14-day police custody.

RG Kar Medical College MS Removed

The West Bengal health department has ordered the removal of Dr. Sanjay Vashisth from his position as medical superintendent-cum-vice principal. Dr. Bulbul Mukhopadhyay, the dean of student affairs, has been appointed to take over Vashisth’s responsibilities. Dr. Vashisth has been reassigned as a professor at the National Medical College & Hospital.

Nationwide Shutdown on Monday

Sunday saw a continued protest from doctors from all medical colleges in West Bengal. Protesters at RG Kar Medical College in Kolkata raised safety concerns, citing the absence of CCTV in sensitive areas, tout rackets, inadequate restrooms for on-call doctors, and poor screening of outsiders. 

Meanwhile, resident doctors associations ( RDA) and medical associations across the country are coming in support of Kolkata Doctors. The RDAs of several major hospitals, including VMMC & Safdarjung Hospital, UCMS & GTBH, and ABVIMS & Dr. RML Hospital, have issued statements expressing their outrage and demanding justice. These associations have collectively decided to halt all elective services, including OPDs, elective OTs, and ward duties, while ensuring that emergency services remain operational.

Doctors are demanding Immediate and Impartial Investigation, Enhanced Security for Healthcare Workers, No Police Brutality or Mistreatment of protesting doctors, stating the nationwide strike will continue until these demands are met  

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UP DGME Releases Round 1 NEET 2024 Counselling Schedule, Registrations Start From 20 August

Uttar Pradesh- Uttar Pradesh Director General of Medical Education (UPDGME) has released the schedule for the 1st round of online counselling for UP National Eligibility and Entrance Test-Undergraduate (NEET UG) 2024.

As per the schedule, the process of NEET UG 2024 counselling will begin from August 20, 2024 at 11:00 am and will end on September 5, 2024. The NEET UG counselling process will begin with registration, uploading of documents and depositing security amount which will start on August 20, 2024, at 11 am and will continue till August 24, 2024, at 02 pm. 

Below is the detailed schedule for the UP NEET UG 2024 counselling-

Also Read: 840 Seats Vacant for NEET PG MDS 2nd Round Counselling 2024, UP DGME Releases Seat Matrix, Merit List

SCHEDULE

S. NO

DESCRIPTION

DATES

TOTAL DAYS

1

Date of online registration & upload of documents.

20th August 2024 (From 11:00 AM) to 24thAugust 2024 (Till 11:00 AM)

04 days

2

Date of deposition of registration fee and security money.

20 August 2024 (From 11:00 AM) to 24th August 2024 (Till 02:00 PM)

05 days

3

Date of merit list declaration.

24th August 2024

01 days

4

Date of online choice filling

24th August 2024 (From 05:00 PM) to 29th August 2024 (Till 11:00 AM)

05 days

5

Date of allotment result declaration.

30th August 2024

01 days

6

Date for downloading the allotment letters and admission.

31st August 2024 To 05th September 2024

06 days

Meanwhile, to participate in the UP NEET UG 2024 counselling, candidates need to register themselves online by depositing the registration fee of Rs.2000/- through the UP NEET official website. Along with this, candidates also need to deposit the Security money of Rs. 30,000/- online for Government state quota seats, Rs.2,00,000/- for private Medical colleges seats and Rs.1,00,000/- for private Dental colleges seats.

Moreover, only those candidates will be eligible for choice filling, whose original documents have been verified online and have deposited the security money.

To view the schedule, click the link below

https://medicaldialogues.in/pdf_upload/updgme-releases-neet-ug-2024-counselling-schedule-registration-starts-from-20-august-247248.pdf

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Why do our muscles ache after a workout?

The Paris 2024 Olympics have inspired you to take up running again this year. Your shoes are all laced up, your headphones plugged in, and you’re off. 15 kilometers later, with no cramps or stitches to report, you’re home. But two days later, shooting pains in your calves make it almost impossible to climb the stairs. And yet, before you went to bed last night you were fine, so what could have happened?

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