Pharmacology teaching in dental education in India: Time for a reappraisal.

India has a unique position with its vast population and rapidly increasing healthcare demand. Dental health is integral to a holistic health care need, and a robust dental education system is necessary. Dental education in India is mainly regulated by the Dental Councilof India, setting broad guidelines.

Safety and efficacy of Qurse-e-istisqua in chronic hepatitis C infection: an exploratory study.

Background: Qurse-e-istisqua (Q-e-I), an Unani medicine commonly prescribed to treat liver disorders.

Objectives: To study efficacy and safety of Q-e-I in hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection.

Methods: In this randomized double-blind exploratory study, 60 naive patients of HCV infection were assigned to receive either interferonα2a (IFNα2a) (3 mIU, subcutaneous, thrice weekly), ribavirin (RBV) (1000 mg, orally, twice daily in divided doses) and placebo (n = 30) or IFNα2a, RBV and Q-e-I (5 g, orally, thrice daily in divided doses) (n = 30).

Supervised conventional interferon α2a in combination with ribavirin therapy is the preferred alternative for treatment of chronic hepatitis C.

Objective: To document the significant sustained virological response with supervised conventional interferon α and ribavirin therapy in hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected patients, this study was planned.

Materials And Methods: Sixty chronic hepatitis C naive patients were included in this study. Complete blood counts, prothrombin time, ALT, AST, and qualitative HCV RNA were done.

Diversity of genotype and mode of spread of Hepatitis C virus in Northern India.

Background/aim: Hepatitis C is caused by hepatitis C virus (HCV), which is classified into 6 genotypes. It leads to chronic hepatitis in 80% of the cases. Genotype of the virus helps in predicting response to antiviral therapy and also the duration of treatment.