Anti-cancer Tablets Launched in the USA

Recently, two big medicine companies launched anti-cancer tablets in the USA. At first, Natco Pharma launched 1 mg tablets for breast cancer in the US. On the other hand, Cadila Healthcare also launched Anastrazole tablets (1 mg) for cancer in the US market.

About the launch of generic version of anastrazole, Natco Pharma said to economictimes.indiatimes.com, “It is used in treating breast cancer, in the US market.”

Further the news quotes another statement of Natco Pharma, “It has launched the drug in strength of 1 mg tablets in the US after getting US Food and Drugs Administration’s nod.”

In the next column, the news portal quotes another statement, “The product has been launched in the US through the company’s marketing partners.”

About the sales of the medicine, the news portal writes, “The estimated annual sales of anastrazole, which is patented by Astra Zeneca and sold as Arimidex, in the US is around $750 million.”

The news portal writes about the shares of the company, “Shares of Natco Pharma were trading at Rs 201.70 on the Bombay Stock Exchange on late afternoon trade, up 3.09 per cent from its previous close.”

On the other hand, the news portal quotes a statement of Cadila Healthcare’s Anastrazole tablets (1 mg), “Cadila Healthcare has launched Anastrazole tablets (1 mg) in the US market, after getting approvals from the country’s food and drug administration.

The anti-cancer tablets have annual sales of $1.1 billion in the US market.”

So, the anti-cancer tablets are the most demandable medicines in the US. Both companies have gotten the biggest popularity in the anti-cancer medicine market in the US. Both have good shares in the market and both expect good number of sales in this year.

The medicine is being compared with First Indigenous H1N1 vaccine against swine flue in India in the sales graph.

Facts and Suggestions Regarding Appetite & Health of Your Child

One of the most common complaints heard in a children clinic is “My child does not eat properly.” Often we have seen that the complaint is either far from the truth or a self created one, rather than the one that actually needs medical intervention or treatment. We will consider certain practical aspects of the problem. There are certain facts and suggestions regarding appetite & health of your child which I would like to share with you. These appetite & health suggestions tips are from “From the Malik Radix Health Care”:

1. Appetite of a child depends on age, race, community, season and individual himself. For example – one year old could have much more appetite than three or four year old. North Indian children generally have a better appetite than the south Indian children of the some ago group.

2. It is very surprising to know that two children of the same age, same weight & height can have different appetite, one eating twice than the other.

3. It should be borne in mind that apart from diseases, during which the appetite can be low, there are normal periods during which children naturally lose appetite. This can extend to, weeks together which is quite normal. Attempting to feed them forcefully during these periods will cause aversion for food, which can be very harmful to the overall growth and development of the child.

4. The most common myth is regarding the usage of tonics and appetizers. They are prescribed only to children with some deficiencies of vitamin and other nutrients, or to children suffering from certain diseases, that too for small periods. Tonics and appetizers are not routinely useful and should not be given for longer periods.

5. Some children remain thin and lean despite all efforts as the growth and weight of a child depends more on his genetic constitution. If the child is otherwise healthy, gaining weight and is active one can be assured that his appetite is normal.

6. Mothers should always watch weight rather than appetite. If weight for age is normal then the appetite is also normal.

7. Mothers should prepare different varieties of food and those liked by the child.

8. Do not feed frequently, instead give a gap of at least four to five hours between two meals, and i.e. stick to three to four meals a day and nothing in between.

9. Avoid chocolates, candies, cold drinks and junk food as these will lead to loss appetite.

10. Try to give some quantity from each of the 6 basic food groups i.e. milk/milk products, cereals, pulses, green leafy vegetables, fruits and non vegetarian if you are non vegetarian.

11. Whenever you suspect a reduced appetite, do prepare a complete diet chart of the child, i.e. the quality, the quantity and the time of food taken. Thereafter consult the doctor; this will help the pediatrician to evaluate the child more objectively.

There is scientific evidence that children can regulate their food intake reasonably well according to their energy needs. Any attempt to feed them forcibly will lead to deleterious consequences. Therefore mothers are advised to provide the child with variety of healthy foods in order to improve their appetite and health, and are also requested not to force food the child. Often the mothers offer the food to the child when he is not hungry yet.

Care of Health after Delivery

One of the most important parts of health care is caring health of a new baby and mother after delivery. I want to share it “From the Malik Radix Health Care”:

Care after delivery, also called postnatal care, involves not only the care of the mother but also of the new born baby. The basic goal of this care, is to help the mother to come back to the normal pregnancy state, over a period of six weeks. I would like to discuss few of the normal complaints which might appear abnormal to the mother during this period.

During initial 3-4 days after delivery she can have reddish discharge which becomes lighter and lighter & finally disappears by two weeks. If the discharge has bad smell, or is associated with high fever doctor should be consulted.

Mild engorgement and pain in the breast is a normal finding. If you notice swelling, redness or any localized hardening in the breast, consult your doctor.

Although slightly increased emotional sensitivity, over concern and obsessions for the baby is a normal phenomenon, but if panic attacks, severe depression or abnormal behaviours are experienced by you then consult the specialist.

Vaginal area should be cleaned thoroughly with soap and water and kept dry, an antiseptic solution can be applied. Frank bleeding from the area after 3rd day should be taken seriously and the gynecologist should be consulted.

Any time after delivery if there is difficulty during urination or there is retention of urine the doctor should be consulted as urinary infections are very common after delivery.

Special attention should be given to nutrition of the mother. The diet should be rich in proteins and other nutrients.

Mother should continue taking iron and calcium preparations as she was taking during pregnancy, till the time she is feeding the baby. For initial one day soft diet is advised but from second day onwards you can resume to the normal high protein diet.

The mother becomes emotionally sensitive and is little over concerned about her baby. At this juncture of life she requires the social support from the family members and the husband. Most of these fears, insecurities and apprehensions are because of ignorance and they can be nicely handled by the both gynecologist and pediatrician.

An important aspect to the stressed is contraception. Although location offers some protection against conception but it should not be depended upon & proper contraceptive measure should be taken.

After one week of delivery post natal exercises should be started to tone up the muscles and get the body back to shape.

Very important aspect which is often ignored is proper advice on breast feeding for baby food, Mother should be encouraged to give only breast feeding and no top milk supplements for at least initial four to six months. There is no need to give water to the baby as breast milk has sufficient water for the new born for initial six months.

These are the suggestions of Doctor Renu Malik MD who is the senior Obstratecian & Gynecologist of Malik Radix Health Care.