GS PAPER II: Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.

Context: Some children with COVID-related syndrome develop Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome, typically emerges two to six weeks after a COVID infection.

COVID-related inflammatory syndrome:

Physical symptoms: rash, abdominal pain, red eyes and, most seriously, heart problems like low blood pressure, shock and difficulty pumping.

Neurological symptoms: hallucinations, confusion, speech impairments, and problems with balance and coordination.

• The syndrome is related to a surge of inflammation triggered by an immune response to the virus.

https://indianexpress.com/article/world/some-children-covid-syndrome-develop-neurological-symptoms-7273013/

Drugs and Cosmetics Act

Context: New Regulatory Regime for 8 Medical Items under Drugs and Cosmetics Act.

• Transition time of 6 months allowed for ensuring supply chain continuity and access while implementing their regulatory order under Medical Devices Rules (2017)
• The Ministry of health and Family Welfare had notified the following medical items to be regulated under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act under Medical Devices Rules 2017:
• All Implantable Medical Devices;
• CT scan equipment;
• MRI equipment;
• Defibrillators;
• PET Equipment;
• Dialysis Machine;
• X-Ray Machine; and
• Bone marrow cell separator.
• As per the said order the importers/manufacturers are required to take import/manufacturing licence from Central Licencing Authority or State Licencing Authority.

Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940

• It is an Act of the Parliament of India, which regulates the import, manufacture and distribution of drugs in India.
• The primary objective of the act is to ensure that the drugs and cosmetics sold in India are safe, effective and conform to state quality standards.
• The related Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945 contains provisions for classification of drugs under given schedules and there are guidelines for the storage, sale, display and prescription of each schedule.
• The original act was prepared in accordance to the recommendations of the Chopra Committee formed in 1930.
• The term "drug" as defined in the act includes a wide variety of substance, diagnostic and medical devices.
• The act defines "cosmetic" as any product that is meant to be applied to the human body for the purpose of beautifying or cleansing.
• The definition however excludes soaps.
• In 1964, the act was amended to include Ayurveda and Unani drugs.

https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1712575

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