Latest news with #Cetirizine
Time of India
3 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Overcharging chemists at PGI profit from patients' distress
Chandigarh:A reality check conducted by team TOI on Friday exposed exploitation of patients by some private chemist shops operating within the outpatient department (OPD) of the PGI. Following the discovery of this violation, PGI authorities have proposed penalising the chemist concerned. These shops allegedly sell drugs at significantly inflated prices, often from manufacturers with a history of substandard drug complaints. This investigation reveals a stark contrast with the govt-backed AMRIT (Affordable Medicines and Reliable Implants for Treatment) store, which offers substantial discounts but sees considerably less patient traffic. TOI conducted a direct comparison of prices for a basket of common medications across three distinct retail outlets: two of them located within the PGI hospital premises (a private chemist shop in New OPD and AMRIT store) and one in the adjacent market of Sector 11. Receipts in hand, the team uncovered a 'huge price variation' with the private PGI chemists charging exorbitant rates. The focus was on frequently prescribed drugs, including an anti-allergy medication (Cetirizine), two antibiotics (Augmentin 625 and Tinidazole), and a combination drug for gastric issues (Domperidone and Rabeprazole). It was found that chemists within PGI's OPD are leveraging their prime location to charge higher prices from patients who are often in distress and lack the time or awareness to compare costs. While the adjacent AMRIT shop remained relatively empty, the private drug store in PGI's New OPD witnessed a constant stream of patients, eager to collect their medicine order using a token slip, unaware of the allegedly inflated prices. Not just this, most of the medicines sold by the private chemist shop in the New OPD were found to be sourced from manufacturers in Baddi and Patiala – regions that have faced complaints of substandard drugs by drug control authorities. This raises serious questions about the quality and efficacy of medications being dispensed to patients. As per their rental agreement with PGI, these private shops are mandated to provide a 15% discount on medicines. However, the reality check suggests that the maximum retail price (MRP) on labels is being inflated to overcome this condition, effectively nullifying the intended benefit for patients. To further deceive patients and project an image of govt affiliation, the private drug store was observed displaying a photograph of the Prime Minister, which is employed by the genuine AMRIT store. Sources alleged that private pharmacies often overcharge customers by inflating the MRP of medicines. It was found that a shop that is supposed to offer a mandatory 15% discount, set its own higher MRP, ensuring that even with the discount, the prices remained higher. Sadly, PGI officials seemed to show little interest in the issue. After waiting over a day for an official comment, TOI was told by the PGI spokesperson: "The person concerned is preoccupied, so may not be able to respond. " INSET: There are three types of medicines: Branded (sold and marketed by companies), Generic (same salt and active ingredients as in branded medicines but they do not market the drug), and Branded generic (Branded companies also manufacture generic medicines). Price difference is due to the marketing in branded drugs, which is not in others. There is a 150-200% profit margin in generic drugs. AIIMS Delhi has no private chemist within the campus. There are AMRIT and Jan Aushadi stores only inside the hospital. PGI has around 18 chemist shops within the campus. This includes 7 AMRIT stores—one of the highest in the country. In 2022, five patients allegedly died following a propofol injection purchased from PGI's chemist in the emergency. The CDSCO's report concluded that the drug was contaminated. The PGI banned the chemist, and he had to vacate the shop soon. The drug was manufactured in Kala Amb, Himachal Pradesh. GRAPHIC: Medicine Name: Cetirizine (Anti-allergy) 10 tablets Price at New OPD Shop (Rs.): 10 Price at Sector 11 Shop (Rs.): 10 Price at AMRIT Store (Rs.): 9 Medicine Name: Augmentin 625 (Antibiotic) 14 tablets Price at New OPD Shop (Rs.): 624 Price at Sector 11 Shop (Rs.): 258 Price at AMRIT Store (Rs.): 215 Medicine Name: Tinidazole (Antibiotic) 10 tablets Price at New OPD Shop (Rs.): 47 Price at Sector 11 Shop (Rs.): 141 Price at AMRIT Store (Rs.): 111 Medicine Name: Domperidone + Rabeprazole (Combination) antacid 20 tablets Price at New OPD Shop (Rs.): 552 Price at Sector 11 Shop (Rs.): 189 Price at AMRIT Store: 142 Total Bill: NEW OPD PGI: 1242 SECTOR 11: 599 AMRIT PGI: 478 MSID:: 122406126 413 |
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Popular allergy medications linked to severe withdrawal symptoms, FDA warns
Two common allergy medications could cause a severe reaction in some people who stop using it. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued an alert related to cetirizine (Zyrtec) or levocetirizine (Xyzal), warning that patients who stop taking it after long-term use may experience "rare but severe itching," a condition called pruritus. The itching was reported by people who used the medicines every day for months or years, and then stopped using them. Top 10 'Allergy Capitals' Of The Us, Plus 4 Tips To Manage Symptoms In total, 209 cases were reported worldwide (197 in the U.S.) between April 25, 2017, and July 6, 2023. "This number includes only reports submitted to FDA, so there may be additional cases of which we are unaware," the agency stated in the release. Read On The Fox News App "Reported cases were rare but sometimes serious, with patients experiencing widespread, severe itching that required medical intervention." Many reports described a "significant and persistent impact on quality of life and ability to function," the FDA noted. Honey And Allergy Relief: Do These Two Really Go Together? In most cases (90%), restarting the medicine resolved the severe itching. Some (38%) had success with gradually tapering off after restarting. The drugs are available in both prescription and over-the-counter versions. The FDA said it will update the medications' prescribing information to include a warning of the itching risk, and will also ask the manufacturers to add the information to the drug facts label for over-the-counter versions. Cetirizine and levocetirizine are antihistamines that are approved to treat seasonal allergies in adults and children 2 and up, according to the FDA. The drugs are also approved as a treatment for year-round allergies and chronic hives in patients 6 months and older. People who experience severe itching after the cessation of these medications should contact a healthcare professional, the FDA advised. Click Here To Sign Up For Our Health Newsletter "Individuals planning on long-term use of cetirizine or levocetirizine, especially for more than a few months, should discuss the benefits and risks with your healthcare professional, who can provide advice based on your personal needs," the agency stated. Other common side effects of cetirizine and levocetirizine include fatigue, drowsiness, cough, dry mouth, fever, sore throat, nosebleed, diarrhea and vomiting, per the FDA. Dr. Marc Siegel, clinical professor of medicine at NYU Langone Health and Fox News senior medical analyst, noted that these medications are "very effective" at alleviating allergy symptoms. "The FDA is noting that in extremely rare circumstances after long-term use, stopping them can lead to severe itching, which is alleviated after restarting them," he reiterated to Fox News Digital. "I suspect this might be due to accelerated histamine release once the blocker is stopped." A spokesperson from the Consumer Healthcare Products Association provided the below statement to Fox News Digital. "Consumer safety is the top priority for CHPA and our manufacturer members. The OTC industry supports FDA's ongoing commitment to notifying the public about safety signals, even when extremely rare, as in this case." Rare Mint Allergy Leaves Woman Wishing She Was 'Allergic To Peanuts' Instead "CHPA members will continue to comply with FDA guidelines, including any needed updates to Drug Facts labels, while also evaluating and monitoring the latest science and product profiles. Consumers who use these medicines daily for an extended period (months-years) should not stop taking their medication abruptly without first consulting with their healthcare provider." For more Health articles, visit Opella, the manufacturer of Xyzal, shared the below statement with Fox News Digital. "Xyzal has a strong track record of safety and efficacy backed by scientific research and user satisfaction. This is a rare reaction, and Opella stands by the safety of Xyzal when used as directed."Original article source: Popular allergy medications linked to severe withdrawal symptoms, FDA warns
The Hill
22-05-2025
- Health
- The Hill
FDA warns of ‘rare but severe itching' after using popular allergy medications
(NEXSTAR) – Hundreds of people who stopped using allergy medications like Zyrtec and Xyzal noticed an uncomfortable new side effect, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said in a warning issued this month. In 'rare but severe' cases, and for unknown reasons, some who quit using the drugs became very itchy and had to seek medical help. 'Reported cases were rare but sometimes serious, with patients experiencing widespread, severe itching that required medical intervention,' the FDA said. The itching, known medically as pruritus, was so bad that affected people described 'significant and persistent impact on quality of life and ability to function.' The FDA identified about 200 cases of this severe itching between 2017 and 2023. In most cases, the people affected had been using cetirizine or levocetirizine daily for three months or more, and only noticed the itching start after they stopped taking the allergy pills. Cetirizine is sold over the counter under several brand names, including Zyrtec, Aller-Tec and All Day Allergy. Xyzal is a popular brand name of levocetirizine. Both ingredients are antihistamines, and may also be in prescribed medications. Most people were able to resolve the itchiness by restarting the medication. Some were able to restart the drug then taper off more slowly. The FDA is now revising the medications' prescribing information to include a warning about the possibility of itching. The vast majority of people who take the drugs likely won't experience pruritus. While the FDA was able to identify more than 200 cases worldwide, tens of millions of packages of the two medications are sold over the counter every year.
Newsweek
21-05-2025
- Health
- Newsweek
FDA Issues Warning About Popular Allergy Medications
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has warned that patients who stop long-term use of the popular oral allergy medications Zyrtec or Xyzal may experience "rare but severe itching," in a May 16 warning. Newsweek reached out to Zyrtec and Xyzal's media teams via email for comment. Why It Matters In recent months, millions of Americans have grappled with seasonal allergies triggered by pollen and blooming plants. Many have reported sneezing, itchy eyes and runny noses, prompting a turn to prescription and over-the-counter allergy medications. According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, citing data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly one in three U.S. adults and more than one in four U.S. children report having a seasonal allergy, eczema or food allergy. The data showed that more than 100 million Americans reported having allergy symptoms. In 2021, approximately 81 million people in the U.S. had hay fever. In its warning, the FDA said that more than 80 million packages of the popular allergy medications were purchased in 2022. What To Know The FDA said that itching, known as pruritus, "has been reported in patients who used these medicines daily, typically for at least a few months and often for years." The patients did not have any itching symptoms prior to taking the allergy medications. The itching required medical intervention. The FDA said the symptoms "may improve with restarting the medicines." The agency is revising the prescribing information for the prescription versions of cetirizine (Zyrtec) and levocetirizine (Xyzal) to include a new warning about the risk. Cetirizine and levocetirizine are antihistamines that block histamines released by the body during allergic reactions. Both are approved to treat seasonal allergies. Cetirizine was approved as a prescription drug in 1995 and became available over the counter in 2007. Levocetirizine was approved for prescription use in 2007 and switched to over-the-counter status in 2017. The FDA's warning is based on 209 worldwide cases, 197 in the U.S., of pruritus after halting use of the drugs. The cases were reported to the FDA between April 25, 2017, and July 6, 2023. A man blows his nose behind birch pollen on the branch of a birch tree in Baden-W'rttemberg, Stuttgart, Germany, on April 3, 2025. A man blows his nose behind birch pollen on the branch of a birch tree in Baden-W'rttemberg, Stuttgart, Germany, on April 3, 2025. Bernd Wei'brod/picture-alliance/dpa/AP Images What People Are Saying A spokesperson for Opella, which owns Xyzal, told Newsweek: "Xyzal has a strong track record backed by scientific research and user satisfaction. We stand by the safety and efficacy of Xyzal when used as directed." The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, on X, formerly Twitter: "FDA requires warning about rare but severe itching after stopping long-term use of oral allergy medicines cetirizine or levocetirizine (Zyrtec, Xyzal, and other trade names)" Zyrtec, on X: "The allergens are potent this year and normally we're a cut above!" What Happens Next The FDA advises patients to contact their health care providers if they develop severe itching after stopping their antihistamine use. Tree pollen typically peaks in April, while grass pollen emerges in late spring and continues through the summer months, usually from May to July.
Scottish Sun
02-05-2025
- Health
- Scottish Sun
Cheapest way to buy hayfever tablets – you could make a huge saving of £27 this summer
Scroll down to see how different tablets compare NOT TO BE SNIFFED AT NOT TO BE SNIFFED AT Cheapest way to buy hayfever tablets – you could make a huge saving of £27 this summer THERE is a way to get the same allergy relief medication for almost a quarter of the price of big name brands. As hay fever becomes more rife moving into summer, this could mean a saving of £27 over the months of June, July and August. Advertisement 2 Piritize is a common brand of allergy relief medication found at UK pharmacies Credit: Alamy 2 Medicines meet the same standards regardless of the formulation Credit: Superdrug People generally know that buying branded medications are almost always more costly than their generic equivalents. On top of that, most over-the-counter drugs have the same medical properties no matter the brand, price or form it comes in. The Royal Pharmaceutical said: "Whether they are branded or generic, all medicines are the same so you can be reassured your medicine is safe." The key thing to look out for is the "active" ingredient of the remedy, which manufacturers may change. Advertisement So once you have found the right active ingredient, you can start looking for the best deal to purchase your medicine. For effective relief from allergy symptoms, people often turn to Cetirizine, which the NHS describes as an "antihistimine medicine that relieves the symptoms of allergies". It can be used to treat things like hay fever, conjunctivitis, and eczema, and comes in tablet, capsule or liquid form. Common stores like Boots, Asda, Sainsbury's and Tesco sell Cetirizine both through brands as well as with their own equivalents of the medicine. Advertisement Among the more well-known brands of Cetirizine are Piriteze and Zirtek, which can cost £11.55 for a 30-pack of the tablets from a pharmacy like Boots. However, buying the generic Boots version of Cetirizine costs just £2.75, meaning a saving nearly £9. Woman missed her brother's wedding because of 'life-ruining' hay fever symptoms And over the three months of summer, this could bring a saving of £27. Similarly, the Asda, Sainsbury's and Tesco medications can also provide savings of around £8 when bought instead of the branded equivalents. Advertisement In the past, PharmacyFirst has been seen to offer the cheapest deal for Cetirizine online, oferring 120 tablets all for £2.75. Chemist4U has also proven to be a cheap option, where 180 tablets have gone for £7.54. These cost-saving findings come after research revealed hay fever sufferers spent more than £3,600 on medication over their lifetime. A poll also found 62 per cent of people with these allergies go through up to two boxes of antihistamine tablets a month. Advertisement
