MEDIBYTES -19-8-10

1. cancer : cancer is now a leading cause of death in developing nations but is often neglected by the health authorities.

only about 5% of global resources for cancer are spent in developing countries

many types of cancer that make up the greatest burden in low- and middle-income countries, such as breast cancer, could be treated with drugs that are off-patent and can be manufactured generically at affordable prices.

the breast cancer drug Tamoxifen is one example ,the total cost of generic chemotherapy drugs with a 50% cure rate for a type of cancer called Burkitt's lymphoma could be as low as $50 per patient.

"These drugs should be a focus of cancer treatment programmes, rather than expensive on-patent drugs," .

the importance of early cancer detection and screening - Another intervention with huge potential, would be vaccination against human papillomavirus (HPV), to help prevent cervical cancer, and against hepatitis B virus (HBV), to help prevent liver cancer.

2. M C I :

• MCI is preparing a Vision 2015 document to improve medical education.

While trying to increase the number of undergraduate and postgraduate medical seats, MCI is also exploring the possibility of restructuring some of the less popular courses and introducing new ones such as critical and emergency care, infectious diseases and disaster management.

• Medical Council of India (MCI) is planning to introduce a new registration system for doctors. As per the proposal, a doctor practising in multiple states will have to register in all those states simultaneously, unlike now when a single registration is enough to practise anywhere in the country.

Similarly, all doctors will have to keep state medical councils updated about the higher degrees, such as post-graduation, they acquire.

• health ministry is already considering another MCI proposal to introduce a national exit examination for medical professionals to evaluate the outcome of training and proficiency attained after the completion of graduate or postgraduate medical courses.
• MCI has given a strong warning to doctors and medical associations,even to IMA, endorsing products for private companies.

3.SYNTHETIC BLOOD: For the first time in Britain, scientists have created human red blood cells from embryonic stem cells as part of a project to manufacture synthetic blood on an industrial-scale.