Publications by authors named "Chandy Sujith J"

Article Synopsis
  • E-Pharmacy can improve access to medications and services in low- and middle-income countries like India, addressing challenges of cost and availability.
  • A scoping review analyzed literature to identify the facilitators and barriers for implementing e-pharmacy in India, revealing potential advantages like better supply chain management and easier tracking of medicines.
  • Despite its benefits, challenges such as lack of regulation, digital literacy, and internet coverage must be addressed to ensure e-pharmacy can contribute effectively to improving health care access and reducing costs.
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The Bellagio Group for Accelerating AMR Action met in April 2024 to develop the ambitious but achievable 1-10-100 unifying goals to galvanize global policy change and investments for antimicrobial resistance mitigation: 1 Health; 10 million lives saved; and 100% sustainable access to effective antimicrobials. High profile political goals such as the Paris Agreement's objective to keep global warming well below 2° Celsius compared to pre-industrial levels, UNAIDS' 90-90-90 goal, and the Sustainable Development Goals challenge global norms, direct attention towards relevant activities, and serve an energizing function to motivate action over an extended period of time. The 1-10-100 unifying goals propose to unite the world through a One Health approach to safeguard human health, animal welfare, agrifood systems, and the environment from the emergence and spread of drug-resistant microbes and infections; save over 10 million lives by 2040 through concerted efforts to prevent and appropriately treat infections while preserving the vital systems and services that depend on sustained antimicrobial effectiveness; and commit to ensuring that antimicrobials are available and affordable for all, used prudently, and secured for the future through innovation.

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Purpose: We examined the efficacy of topical capsaicin in reducing delayed chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV).

Methods: Adults on highly emetogenic chemotherapy regimens applied 2 g of capsaicin ointment (0.075%) or matching placebo four times a day to the abdomen for 5 days in addition to standard antiemetic regimen in this blinded randomized controlled trial.

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Objectives: India has taken several initiatives to provide health care to its population while keeping the related expenditure minimum. Since cardiovascular diseases are the most prevalent chronic conditions, in the present study, we aimed to analyze the difference in prices of medicines prescribed for three cardiovascular risk factors, based on (a) listed and not listed in the National List of Essential Medicines (NLEM) and (b) generic and branded drugs.

Materials And Methods: Outpatient prescriptions for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and dyslipidemia were retrospectively analyzed from 12 tertiary centers.

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Antibiotic resistance (ABR) is increasing the mortality and morbidity associated with infectious diseases, besides increasing the cost of healthcare, saturating health system capacity, and adversely affecting food security. Framing an appropriate narrative and engaging local communities through the 'One Health' approach is essential to complement top-down measures. However, the absence of objective criteria to measure the performance of ABR interventions in community settings makes it difficult to mobilize interest and investment for such interventions.

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Objectives: Vietnam was the first country from the WHO Western Pacific Region to adopt a national action plan (NAP) on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in 2013. The multilayered nature of AMR requires coordination across 'One Health' sectors, dedicated financing, multistakeholder involvement, and widespread community engagement to implement the action plans. This study explores the perceived impact of NAP implementation at the community level.

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Aim: Irrational use of medicines is a global problem. In India, one contributing factor is the availability of a large number of fixed-dose combinations (FDCs). To improve rational use and to strengthen policies, it is important to assess the usage patterns and rationality of FDCs.

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Article Synopsis
  • The study investigates the prescription practices of healthcare providers regarding drugs not listed in India's National List of Essential Medicines (NLEM), emphasizing that proper use of essential medicines can improve access and lower costs.* -
  • An analysis of 4,838 outpatient prescriptions showed that over 55% included at least one non-NLEM drug, with significant variations in costs, potential side effects, and effectiveness when compared to NLEM alternatives.* -
  • The findings point to a critical need for better training and awareness among healthcare prescribers to promote the consistent use of NLEM drugs in order to enhance rational prescribing practices.*
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Rising antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is causing therapeutic failures with antibiotics. Inappropriate use is a contributing factor. One such antibiotic on the radar is faropenem, a broad spectrum antibiotic approved in 2005 in India.

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Purpose: Over-the-counter (OTC) sale of antibiotics have contributed to the growing threat of antibiotic resistance. The Government of India has instituted regulatory measures, such as Schedule H1 and public campaigns such as Red Line Campaign, to limit such sales. This study was conducted to assess the perceptions of stakeholders regarding their effectiveness.

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Medical ethics education along with attitude and communication training has been incorporated into the regular MBBS curriculum in India from 2019, so as to encourage a caring and communicative approach by doctors towards patients. It would be important to understand the relevance of the educational module in the form of cases to ensure an optimal learning process for future students and doctors in the making. We selected three cases and conducted online debates among small groups of second year MBBS students.

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Background: The objectives of the study were to investigate the organizational characteristics of acute care facilities worldwide in preventing and managing infections in surgery; assess participants' perception regarding infection prevention and control (IPC) measures, antibiotic prescribing practices, and source control; describe awareness about the global burden of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and IPC measures; and determine the role of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 pandemic on said awareness.

Methods: A cross-sectional web-based survey was conducted contacting 1432 health care workers (HCWs) belonging to a mailing list provided by the Global Alliance for Infections in Surgery. The self-administered questionnaire was developed by a multidisciplinary team.

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Background: Persons with anxiety regarding health may have an increased tendency to seek online health information especially during a pandemic. The primary objective of this study was to determine COVID-19 induced health anxiety among the general population in India using Google Trends data.

Methods: Online health information seeking behaviour with respect to high-risk comorbid conditions for severe COVID-19 disease during the pandemic period was compared to that of the previous year.

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Securing equitable antibiotic access as an essential component for health system resilience and pandemic preparedness requires a systems perspective. This article discusses key components that need to be coordinated and paired with adequate financing and resources to ensure antibiotic effectiveness as a global public good, which should be central while discussing a new global agreement.

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The COVID-19 pandemic has underlined the importance of an efficient and equitable supply of and access to essential health products. These factors are equally pertinent to the antimicrobial resistance pandemic, in which access to a portfolio of existing and pipeline antimicrobials plus complementary diagnostics is crucial. This Viewpoint focuses on market shaping in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs), where the need for effective antimicrobials and complementary diagnostics is most acute.

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Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) threatens to undermine nearly a century of progress since the first use of antimicrobial compounds. There is an increasing recognition of the links between antimicrobial use and AMR in humans, animals, and the environment (i.e.

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Unlabelled: Background, Objective: We studied the effectiveness and safety of Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) preexposure prophylaxis against COVID-19 in Healthcare workers (HCWs) previous studies being inconclusive due to small sample and lack of risk stratification Design and setting: Prospective, observational, multicenter cohort study in 44 hospitals in 17 Indian states during May-Sept 2020 Participants: 12089 Consenting Doctors, nurses, ancillary staff likely exposed to COVID-19 patients irrespective of whether taking HCQ preexposure prophylaxis (4257) or not(7826) participated,(in 6 data missing) Measurements: Data was collected on a self administered online questionnaire. Statistical analysis was done on SPSS version 20.

Results: Age above 45 years, diabetes, hypertension, history of COVID contact were independent risk factors for COVID positivity.

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Although the individual and societal consequences of antibiotic resistance spiral upwards, coordinated action has not kept pace on a global scale. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the need for resilient health systems and has resulted in an unprecedented rate of collaboration in scientific, medical, social, and political dimensions. The pandemic has also created a renewed awareness of the importance of infectious diseases and is a substantial entry point for reigniting the momentum towards containing the silent pandemic of antibiotic resistance.

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COVID-19 has affected the daily activities of people across the globe. The effects of the pandemic have not just been medical, but also societal and economical. The responses of government and the public have varied in different countries.

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Background & Objectives: Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ), reported to inhibit severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) replication in in vitro studies, has been recommended for prophylaxis of COVID-19 in healthcare workers (HCWs). The objective of this study was to assess short-term adverse events (AEs) of HCQ in HCWs.

Methods: This cross-sectional study among consenting HCWs taking prophylaxis and working in hospitals with COVID-19 patients used online forms to collect details of HCWs, comorbidities, prophylactic drugs used and AEs after the first dose of HCQ.

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Multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacterial infection is a serious global concern and especially in low and middle-income countries (LMIC) such as India. Colistin, an antimicrobial once abandoned following reports of organ toxicity, has re-emerged as an essential therapeutic agent in the management of these infections. A retrospective review of 162 inpatients was done, focusing on culture-proven multidrug-resistant infections requiring colistin.

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Implementing a sustainable and effective Antimicrobial Stewardship (AMS) programme in secondary level hospitals, in Low-Middle Income Country (LMIC) contexts, has numerous challenges. It is important to understand these challenges so that the stewardship initiatives can be tailored according to the unique requirements thrown up by these healthcare facilities. This study explores the experiences of implementing AMS in secondary level hospitals in the state of Kerala, India.

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