Latest news with #1945
Time of India
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Shoot at Site: This prison break drama based on true events will see Sasikumar playing a Lankan refugee yet again
We walk into the set of filmmaker Sathyasiva's upcoming project that is based on a true incident and strike a conversation with him and the protagonist, Sasikumar... Sasikumar , who is fresh off the success of Tourist Family , is once again stepping into the shoes of a Sri Lankan refugee in director Sathyasiva 's Freedom. When we visited the set of the film, which also stars Lijomol Jose , the final day of shoot was underway. Amidst their packed schedule, Sasikumar and Sathyasiva spoke with us about the film and what it represents. 'THE FILM IS ABOUT A PRISON BREAK THAT TOOK PLACE IN THE '90S' According to Sathyasiva, who previously helmed films like Kazhugoo and 1945 , ' Freedom is based on a true story about a prison break that took place in Tamil Nadu in the '90s.' Touching upon Sasikumar's character, he said, 'After Tourist Family, Sasikumar sir is once again portraying a Sri Lankan Tamil in this film. Interestingly, my film and Tourist Family , which became a big success, were shot simultaneously. I hope Sasikumar sir will also be appreciated for this film.' 'THIS FILM COULD BE AN IMPORTANT ONE IN LIJOMOL'S CAREER' The filmmaker also spoke about Lijomol Jose's presence in the film, as well as the contribution of the technical crew. 'After Jai Bhim , Lijomol Jose has been very selective with the scripts she has taken up. So, I hope Freedom becomes an important film in her career. A bunch of proven technicians, like composer Ghibran and cinematographer NS Uthaya Kumar, have also worked on this project, and they've been very supportive,' he shared.
Time of India
30-06-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Drug labelling norms under review: Expiry date readability flagged; govt panel to examine packaging reforms
India's top drug regulator has set up a sub-committee to revamp labelling norms on medicinal products after receiving consumer complaints about illegible expiry dates and glossy packaging that hampers readability. The Drugs Consultative Committee (DCC), under the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), took up the issue earlier this month and recommended the formation of a sub-committee to examine labelling and packaging issues in detail. The panel will also explore the need for regulations covering suppliers of packaging materials and printed foils under the Drugs Rules, 1945. 'Various concerns have been raised by consumers from time to time like letters of expiry date are too small and hence it's important to look at this matter,' a government official told ET. The Drugs Consultative Committee (DCC), under the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), has decided to set up a sub-committee to examine labelling and packaging issues of medicinal products in detail, following a rise in consumer complaints about unreadable expiry dates and glossy medicine strips. The sub-committee will also assess the feasibility of introducing regulatory provisions for packaging material and printed foil suppliers under the Drugs Rules, 1945. In a move aimed at enhancing accessibility and patient safety, the government is also considering implementing voice-assisted QR codes and braille cards on medicine strips. This initiative, officials said, is intended to improve transparency and make drug packaging more patient-friendly. A separate committee will be constituted to evaluate the feasibility of these digital upgrades, the report added. Stay informed with the latest business news, updates on bank holidays and public holidays . AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
Time of India
29-06-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Clear & Legible: Labelling on drug packets to get a booster
Do you find it difficult to read the details on a medicine strip, with the surface being too glossy and shiny. Here's a good news. India's regulatory body has constituted an expert committee to revamp labelling of medicinal products so as to make it clear and easy to read, people in the know told ET. The decision has been taken following grievances and concerns of consumers with regard to labelling of medicinal products. Some of the concerns raised were-unable to find the expiry date, the surface of the medicine strip being too shiny to read the details. "Various concerns have been raised by consumers from time to time like letters of expiry date are too small and hence it's important to look at this matter," said a government official. The consumers have also felt the need to have a universally recognised symbol on the generic medicines to distinguish it from branded medicines. The matter was taken up by the Drugs Consultative Committee (DCC) under the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (DCC) this month wherein it was decided to constitute a sub-committee to look in to the matter of packaging issue in detail and submit its report. The DCC also recommended to include one packaging expert in the sub-committee. Further, the sub-committee shall also evaluate the feasibility of incorporating suitable regulation for suppliers of packaging materials/ printed foils, etc. under Drugs Rules, 1945. The government is also considering voice assisted QR codes braille card on medicine strips to make them patient friendly, bring transparency and improve patient safety. A committee will soon be constituted for the same too, people in the know told ET.
News18
27-06-2025
- Health
- News18
Braille, Voice-Enabled QR Codes & More: Govt To Set Up Panel To Revamp Medicine Labelling
Last Updated: The concerns submitted to the govt include issues like expiry dates being printed on easily torn paper, reflective surfaces making labels unreadable, and text size being too small. Get ready for voice-assisted QR codes, braille cards, and clearer labels on your medicine strips — the central government is planning a major overhaul of drug packaging to make medicines more patient-friendly, News18 has learnt. To address consumer complaints about the labelling of medicinal products and to make medicine packaging more inclusive for the visually impaired, the drug regulatory agency, Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), is set to constitute an expert panel. Acting on recommendations from the Drug Consultative Committee (DCC), the CDSCO will now form a sub-committee to examine packaging-related concerns in detail. 'DCC was apprised that various concerns have been received from the consumers in their public grievances from time to time with respect to the labelling of medicinal products," said the government document sent to states and union territories for execution, seen by News18. The concerns submitted to the central government include issues such as expiry dates being printed on easily torn paper, reflective surfaces making labels unreadable, and text size being too small. The concerns submitted to DCC – which discussed the matter in the meeting dated 17 June – also include inconsistent printing of medicine names (only at one place on the entire strip) and the need for a universal symbol to clearly distinguish generic medicines from branded ones. 'The proposed sub-committee will discuss these concerns in detail," said the government official, while adding the panel has asked to include at least one packaging expert and will evaluate whether new regulatory standards are needed for suppliers of packaging materials under the Drugs Rules, 1945. 'The industry is expected to create a pushback as any change in labelling leads to heavy capital expenditure on their end. However, the final move will be decided by the proposed panel." Blind friendly medicine packaging In a related move to improve patient convenience, the DCC also recommended measures to help blind and visually impaired individuals identify medicines. Discussing the proposal regarding the problems faced by the blind or visually impaired people in reading medicines, tablets or capsule strips, DCC was apprised that a similar deliberation was done earlier by the expert panel, which had earlier recommended constituting a panel to examine the issue. Accordingly, that panel had submitted its report. The same report was discussed in the meeting, and now, it will be made public and open for comments, along with the two new suggestions. These include adding braille cards to secondary packaging of medicines containing more than 10 units, and integrating QR codes with voice-assistance features on drug labels. 'Secondary packaging containing more than 10 units of medicines may have some braille cards for giving to such population as and when required," said the first suggestion, while adding the second recommendation stating, 'Medicines can have a QR code linked with voice assistance." Experts believe that, if executed, these developments will mark a significant step towards improving patient safety, accessibility, and transparency in India's pharmaceutical packaging practices. First Published: June 27, 2025, 10:06 IST
Hindustan Times
28-05-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Haryana tightens noose on illegal abortions: 3 medical shops sealed, 6 FIR's registered in a week
Intensifying crackdown on the illegal sale of medical termination of pregnancy (MTP) kits, Haryana authorities have seized 1,787 kits from seven districts in the last week—May 20-26, tightening surveillance and enforcement to curb misuse of abortion drugs. After the state task force was set up on February 6 to improve Haryana's sex ratio at birth (SRB) under the flagship Beti Bachao-Beti Padhao campaign, authorities have seized about 8,800 MTP kits, registered over 50 FIRs, including at least 18 against online sellers of the kits. As the crackdown is part of Haryana's broader strategy to prevent sex-selective abortions through coordinated monitoring, Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) registered six first information reports (FIRs) in the last week alone, sealed three medical shops, and two medical firms were served notices under the Drug and Cosmetics Rules, 1945, for regulatory violations, according to official data. The violations under the MTP Act are punishable with rigorous imprisonment ranging from two to seven years. These offences are cognisable, non-bailable and non-compoundable. The largest seizure was reported from Yamunanagar, where 1,740 kits were recovered from a distributor operating in Professor Colony. The remaining seizures were made in Gurugram (6), Ambala (1), Palwal (3), Panipat (20), Jind (13), and Rewari (4). 'During inspection at Dezire distributors in Yamunanagar, FDA officials found 1,740 Rule 96 of the Drugs Rules,1945. Of these, 40 kits were taken for testing and analysis, while the rest were sealed,' Manmohan Taneja, state drug controller of Haryana said. 'Prosecution under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act will be launched after following due procedure. The FDA is vigorously going after those involved in this racket of selling MTP kits illegally. Ever since the crackdown was launched, over 50 people have been booked for illegal sale of MTP kits.' As part of the intensified drive, the number of wholesale dealers selling MTP kits has been slashed from 32 to just six within a month. Officials said 373 MTP kits were sold last week to registered MTP centres in the state by six wholesalers, marking a declining trend in the legal sales of these kits. In a parallel enforcement effort during the previous week (May 13–19), the authorities conducted 50 inspections, closed 25 MTP centres, registered three FIRs, and seized 921 MTP kits. Licences of two doctors—one in Kurukshetra and another in Assandh (Karnal)—were suspended for malpractice and guideline violations. To check illegal abortions and protect the rights of the girl child, the additional chief secretary (ACS-health and family welfare) Sudhir Rajpal has also launched a personalised support system. Over 50,000 pregnant women with one or more daughters have been assigned an ASHA or anganwadi worker as a SAHELI (companion) for counselling and close monitoring. Any suspicious abortion in such cases will trigger an investigation and accountability of the SAHELI involved, top government officials said. Meanwhile, on Tuesday, Rajpal reviewed the steps being taken by the STF set up in February to monitor progress achieved in curbing illegal abortions under the flagship 'Beti Bachao-Beti Padhao' campaign. The ACS directed officials to hold senior medical officers accountable in all community health centres (CHOs), ensuring that no illegal abortions occur within their jurisdictions. Henceforth, SMOs will hold weekly meetings with medical officers and CHOs every Tuesday, while chief medical officers were directed to hold meetings with SMOs every Wednesday to review efforts against illegal abortions and improve the sex ratio.
