August 2014, Vol 4, Issue 8

Cost of life - blog by Sourav Roy

India is the world’s biggest provider of cheap and affordable medicines to developing world. Of course, most countries don't like that! This debate over global drug pricing one controversial issues between developed While poorer nations maintain they have a moral obligation make cheaper, generic drugs available their masses, pharmaceutical companies claim that profits reap are essential research.

Ethical and legal considerations in blood donor counselling

While voluntary blood donation camps are improving in terms of their adherence to national and global standards are concerned, a major area which continues to remain neglected is that of donor counselling. Most blood banks do not have a trained counsellor to attend the drives and even those who take up the responsibility lack the necessary focus and skill. We share in this article the ethical and legal considerations in blood donor counseling as indicated in the Implementation Guidelines for Blood donor Counselling by World Health Organisation.

Annual Cardiac Screening Started for Thalassemiacs

Prolonged blood transfusion therapy and anemia can cause cardiac problems. Cardiac problems contribute significantly to mortality and poor quality of life for thalassemia patients. Timely intervention can help prevent and manage cardiac complications and save the patient and the family from suffering and huge financial burden.Annual cardiac screening has been prescribed for all children with thalassemia major above the age of 12 years.