The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Chandigarh Stories

HEALTH

NIPER engaged to create database
Label composition of drugs
Rajmeet Singh
Tribune News Service

SAS Nagar, August 25
The National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER) here has been engaged by the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) for creating a data base for label composition of all drugs and pharmaceuticals manufactured in the country.

It will enable the office of the Drug Controller Authority of India to update its price control mechanism. Dr C.L. Kaul, Director of the institute, told TNS that the exercise involved ascertaining the price value, codification of the chemicals and the packaging norms for formulations being used by the government to formulate the drug policy.

The institute had generated a data- base for over 16,000 formulations till March 2001. Packaging norms for around 20,000 formulations had also been prepared by the institute.

The institute had also been accredited as one of the two bioavailability centres in the world by the World Health Organisation (WHO) for the evaluation of fixed dose combinations of anti-TB drugs. The other such centre was the Medical Research Council in South Africa. The facility enabled drug manufacturers to check the problem of drug resistance due to lack of proper bioequivalence data.

With the Drug Controller Authority of India making it mandatory for pharmaceutical companies to get their formulations tested for bioequivalence, at least seven companies, national and multinational, had got about 10 different formulations tested from the centre. The study enabled the companies to apply to the respective drug controller Authorities for certification, thereby allowing credence at the international level. However, implementation and compliance of the drug controller authorities’ orders were lacking

Dr Kaul said at present the pharmaceutical companies were marketing two, three or four anti-TB drug combinations, but the emergence of drug resistance in new cases was 2 per cent to 4 per cent in India. A TB patient was dying every 15 seconds in the world and there were 1.2 million notified cases in the country. The institute, as part of its research on anti-TB formulations, had identified two entities which had been tested successfully against microbacterium TB H37Rv and their tests on rodents were on the cards. Several anti-TB drugs were available in the market, but drug resistance was a common problem, said Dr Kaul.

Dr Kaul said the institute was involved in the determination of impurity profile of active pharmaceutical ingredients (API). The current international standards for impurities in API had been reduced from 0.3 per cent to 0.1 per cent. Already, the institute had conducted six studies on bulk drugs. He said the objective was to supply these impurities to various manufacturers to use them as standards in bulk drug production. In the area of herbal medicines, the Department of Natural Products at the institute was working on the standardisation of ayurvedic drugs. Around 50 monographs had been written and sent to the Ministry of Health for incorporation in Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India, likely to be published shortly.

Dr Kaul said the focus of the institute was on imparting postgraduate education in different areas of pharmaceutical sciences. Admission to the masters and doctoral programmes was made through a national-level admission test. The courses were upgraded continuously keeping in view the latest developments. Eversince the institute was established, 75 students had passed out in the masters course.

In the area of research on anti- malarial drugs, the institute had identified two new molecules which possessed anti-malarial qualities. It would offer an alternative treatment for malaria parasites which were becoming drug-resistant. The new molecules, the names of which were not disclosed due to the intellectual property rights (IRP), had been successfully tried on rodents. But the clearance of the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment was awaited before trails were conducted on monkeys.

PANCHKULA DIARY
Stress on health of students

Panchkula
The health of students has become an item of priority with schools. At a five-day camp held at the Bhawan Vidyalaya School, Sector 15, doctors discovered that much needed to be done to ensure oral hygiene of the students despite several attempts to create awareness among them.

The team that carried out a medical check of all the students of the school, found that though 95 per cent of them had cavities in their teeth, only a few were in regular touch with dentists.

Also, wrong eating habits and problems of alignment of teeth were taking a toll of the teeth.

The Principal, Ms Shashi Banerjee, said that while the camp had been initially planned for three days, it was extended for another two days to examine the left-out 700 students.

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As competition among the schools to attract students grows, Satluj Public School in Sector 4, has introduced a course in spoken English for all students.

The first attempt to improve the speaking skills of the students was made at a class addressed by Dr Deepak Sahni and Wg Cdr Sabarwal, who were guest speakers at the programme. They said that the need for teaching spoken English was felt to make the students globally competitive and enhance their personalities.

The Principal, Mr Krit Serai, said that the school had made a conscious effort to improve the speaking skill of the students by organising talks, setting up a Spoken English Committee and instituting best speaker awards.

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The Haryana Urban Development Authority has undertaken the task of creating urban forests by associating the youth with the task of greening their surroundings. While thick plantation will be done in the Industrial Area and open spaces, the Horticulture Department plans to involve the students of different schools in the plantation of medicinal and ornamental trees along Sanglana Cho which passes through Panchkula’s Sectors 2, 4, 12 and 12 A.

Anti-malaria campaign launched
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, August 25
The inauguration of a roundabout maintained by the malaria wing of the UT Administration by the Director Health Services, Dr Rameshwar Chander, today marked the launch of information, education and communication (IEC) activities for prevention and control of malaria.

The roundabout at the intersection of Sectors 18, 19, 20 and 21 is located in the heart of the city with the roads leading to the ISBT, Sector 17, Industrial Area, Sukhna Lake and the southern sectors. The roundabout is, in fact, a permanent health education station for creating awareness about preventive aspects of malaria.

The DHS also released health education material, stickers and pamphlets containing preventive messages. Dr (Mrs) Alka Kothari, Senior Regional Director, Health and Family Welfare, appreciated the efforts of the department for the innovative IEC activities launched by the department. Among others present on the occasion were the Medical Superintendent, General Hospital, Sector 16, Dr K.K. Garg; the Assistant Director, Malaria-cum-Deputy Medical Superintendent, Dr G. Dewan.

Later, Dr Rameshwar Chander along with officers and staff of the Health Department marched around the roundabout with banners, placards and other health education material. The roundabout was beautifully decorated with buntings, flags and banners.

SPORTS

ROUND-UP
A triumph of will
Arvind Katyal

Chandigarh
The Second Samuel Banerjee Memorial Badminton Tournament organised by the Chandigarh Badminton Players Welfare Association which came to a close on Sunday last has proved that if there is will there is a way. The four-day tournament dedicated to the memory of the late Sports Editor of The Tribune, became highly popular with the players who were drawn from Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, J&K, Rajasthan, Delhi and Chandigarh. The CBPWA was able to get three VIPs for the inauguration and closing ceremonies, apart from certain badminton fans occupying high positions. The closing function was marked by the presence of the Finance Minister of Haryana, Mr Sampat Singh, who himself is a sports fan. It had Mr M S Malik, Haryana’s Director-General of Police and Secretary-General of the Haryana Olympic Association, as the guest of honour. The Haryana Finance Minister announced a grant of Rs 21,000 for the association. Both the VIPs remained glued to their seats when the men’s singles final was being played. They even refused to have any snacks served to them as it would distract their attention from the match. They were happy to learn about the interest taken by some former badminton players and the SAI coach, Mr Surinder Mahajan, in providing the best of badminton to this region.

The inauguration was done by a young MLA of Punjab, Mr Parminder Singh Dhindsa, son of the Union Minister, Mr S.S. Dhindsa. Mrs P. Banerjee, wife of the late Samuel Banerjee, was also present on the occasion.

The hosts also provided free apple drink to the players which was obtained from Pepsi. Stalls of Verka products were also put up. Fun balls, a cheese product, was served to all. The coach of the Delhi University team, Mr Bhupinder Kumar, was impressed by the way the tournament was organised and said that with both the men’s and women’s titles won by Delhi players, they would love to participate in the tournament also in the future. Players from Panchkula also performed well. Saurabh Kapoor and Adhiraj showed their prowess in the below 13 and 16 sections.

Among the Chandigarh players, H Sarda Devi was placed number two in women’s singles. Deepak Sidhu won the under 19 title and Mala Gaba, despite a pulled muscle, played to her expectations, along with Samridhi Mahajan who had a shoulder injury but played a remarkable game in the under 13 section.

Cash prizes along with mementoes were other incentives for the players. The cash prizes were: men’s singles-winner-Rs 7,000; runner up-Rs 5,000; below 19 boys-winner-Rs 4,000; runner-up-Rs 3,000; girls-Rs 3,500, runner-up Rs 2,500; below 16 boys-Rs 3,500; runner-up-Rs 2,500; below 16 girls-Rs 3,000; runner-up-Rs 1,500; below 13 boys; Rs 2,000, runner-up Rs 1,000; doubles-below 19 boys-Rs 4,000; runners up -Rs 3,000; girls-Rs 3,000; runners-up-Rs 2,000; below 16 boys and girls-winners-Rs 2,500; Runners-cup Rs 1,600 each. All the semi finalists in singles were awarded Rs 500 each along with T shirts as momentoes.

Girls football

St Stephen’s School, Sector 45, was host to the UT Junior Girls football championship and it also won the title for the second time. The school has got the distinction of hosting football and carrom tournaments, among other events. Mr Harold Carver, the Principal, is liberal in agreeing to host tournaments. The girls’ football meet proved that in Chandigarh, girls were not behind the boys in scoring goals. The final saw nine goals being scored which speaks of the amount of enthusiasm the girls have for soccer.

Karan Bahadur is best gymnast
Our Sports Reporter

Chandigarh, August 25
Karan Bahadur Gurung of the Indo Tibetan Border Police was declared the best gymnast on the penultimate day of the 29th Chandigarh State gymnastics championship by scoring 41.80 pt here today at the Sector 7 sports complex. In the team championship also, the ITBP team cornered glory while the Sports Complex, Sector 7, was declared second and the DAV College Coaching Centre secured the third place.

Results: Vaulting horse: Madan Lal 1,YI Bomcha Singh 2, Keshab Paul and Bhupinder Singh 3. Pommel Horse: YI Bomcha Singh 1, Keshab Paul 2, Rajesh 3. Roman rings: Karan Bahadur 1, Keshab Paul 2, YI Bomcha 3. Parallel bars: Karan Bahadur 1, KH Baleshwar Singh 2, Keshab Paul 3; Horizontal bar: Karan Bahadur 1, Chetan Rawat 2, YI Bimocha Singh 3; Floor exercises; YI Bomcha Singh1, Deepak Uniyal 2, Karan Bahadur 3.

Gymnasium hall

The Sector 7 Gymnasium Hall, the venue of the state meet, is in a dilapidated condition as for years the hall had removed neglected by the UT Sports Department. It may be recalled that more than 15 years back, it was the venue of various badminton meets and Commonwealth Games medalist Kanwal Thakar Singh and other prominent players used to practised here.

Ball badminton

On the second day of the 5th Chandigarh Junior State Ball Badminton Championship played here at IS Dev Samaj Girls School, Sector 21, the winners among the girls’ section were, DSCW-45, ISDSSS-21, DSCW-45 and GHPS-40 in the Pool A, while MCMDAVC-36, GMSSS-21, MCMDAVC-36 and GMSSS-21 removed in the winners in the Pool B. In the Boys’ section in Pool A, the winners were, DPS-32, GSSS-38 W, GHPS-40, while in the Pool B, SDC-32, DAVC-10 and GMSSS-33 remained the winners.

Satluj Public School corner glory
Our Sports Reporter

Chandigarh, August 25
Satluj Public School, Sector 4, Panchkula, cornered glory in the under-14 and under-17 girls’ section at the Satluj Open Lawn Tennis Tournament, which concluded here today on the school premises. Principal Krit Serai said the aim of the meet was to create awareness among city schools in tennis. He said the event would be made annual.

The results are: under-14; boys : Kinshuk Sharma (St John’s) 1 and Simarveer Singh (St Stephen’s) 2. under-12: Kinshuk Sharma (St John’s) 1 and Anshul Kadian (HPS) 2. under-17: Karan Patnaik (St Xavier’s) 1 and Vikas Doshi (SGGSS) 2.

Girls: under-12: Mehak Thakur (HPS) 1 and Ankita Chand (Satluj Public) 2. under-14; Eshita Arora (Satluj Public) 1, Balpreet Kaur (Satluj Public) 2. under-17: Shikha Bhanot (Satluj Public) 1 and Neha Paul (Satluj Public) 2.

More than 400 athletes converged on sports complex, Sector 7, to take part in the Chandigarh State Athletic Championship, which began here today.

International Bahadur Singh secured gold medal in the 5000 m race in men’s section by clocking 15:40.4 seconds. The other winners included Surinder Singh in high jump, Jagjinder Singh in 800 m, Narinder Pal Singh in 100 m, Pavan Kumar in 400 m, Resham Singh in javelin throw and Harminder Singh in triple jump. In under-22 section, Puran Chand was winner in 5000 m, Manoj Kumar in shot put, Sunil Yadav in 800 m, Manoj Beniwal in 100 m, Kulbir Singh in javelin throw and Harminder Singh in 400 m.

Baseball championships

The UT State Sub Junior and Junior Baseball Championships for boys and girls began here today on the PU grounds. In the sub junior section, GMSSS-37, GHS-24 and the Nine Famous Club were the winners while in the Junior boys’ section, GHS-24, the Nine Famous Club, GMSSS-10, remained the winners. In the sub-junior girls’ section, the Nine Famous Club and GSSSS for girls won their matches while in the junior girls’ section, GSSS-8 and the Nine Famous Club beat their respective opponents with ease.