hi avinash is there any legislation regarding soft copy of medical record like block letters?
On 10/23/15, amritpal singh <amritpa...@gmail.com> wrote: > A few days ago, I saw the name of the medicine written on a packet/carton in > uncontracted Braille which was a pleasant surprise for me. > > -----Original Message----- > From: AccessIndia [mailto:accessindia-boun...@accessindia.org.in] On Behalf > Of avinash shahi > Sent: 23 October 2015 11:57 > To: AccessIndia: a list for discussing accessibility and issues concerning > the disabled. > Subject: Re: [AI] Attention: Special Read: Farma Companies–packaging > innovations:braille labelling for the visually impaired > > Some of the hospitals have begun providing soft copies of all details > about tests/and prescribed medication. My mother is being treated at > Tata Memorial Cancer Hospital Mumbai and we were given CD containing > all details. But yes if not Braille labeling we should have info in > soft copies. > On 10/23/15, Asudani, Rajesh <rajeshasud...@rbi.org.in> wrote: >> forget braille on packaging. >> >> Here, doctors are not writing prescription in block letters as mandated >> lately by MCA. >> No medical records are given in soft copy either. >> >> >> >> सादर / With thanks & Regards >> राजेश आसुदानी Rajesh Asudani >> सहायक महाप्रबन्धक AGM >> बाजार आसूचना ईकाई MIU >> भारतीय रिजर्व बैंक Reserve Bank of India >> नागपुर Nagpur >> >> 0712 2806846 >> >> President >> VIBEWA >> Co-Moderator >> VIB-India >> >> A-pilll = Action coupled with Positivity, Interest, Love, Logic and >> laughter. >> >> >> -----Original Message----- >> From: AccessIndia [mailto:accessindia-boun...@accessindia.org.in] On >> Behalf >> Of avinash shahi >> Sent: Friday, October 23, 2015 11:38 AM >> To: accessindia; jnuvision; sayeverything >> Cc: mukesh.harvard >> Subject: [AI] Attention: Special Read: Farma Companies–packaging >> innovations:braille labelling for the visually impaired >> >> I feel this is the real accessibility concern of blind people? I wish >> our disability advocates take this up straightaway. The RPD Bill is >> still amended and we have a great chance to see what the European >> Union formulated in 2005. Please forward this cover story to the >> officials of the department of Disability Affairs and lobby for the >> braille labeling. >> http://www.financialexpress.com/article/pharma/cover-story/packaging-with-a-purpose/153949/ >> >> >> Globally, pharma companies are incorporating new generation packaging >> innovations like braille labelling for the visually impaired and smart >> blister packs for elderly patients. When will the trend catch on in >> India? By Usha Sharma >> >> Though pharmaceutical companies in India are always on the lookout for >> innovative packaging of medicines in terms of convenience and patient >> friendliness, they are still lagging behind when catering to certain >> segment like the visually impaired. The elderly segment is also >> neglected when it comes to senior citizen-friendly packaging. >> >> Globally, several pharma companies have introduced advanced technology >> in their blister packaging which helps in monitoring the use of >> medication and patient compliance as well. There have been innovations >> in the pharma blister packaging where ‘smart’ blister packs >> incorporate moving colour advertisements with sound for partially >> sighted patients. >> >> 20151031ep02 >> Ajit Kanetkar >> If the world is adopting newer packaging methods and technologies, why >> are Indian pharma companies lagging behind? Is the visually impaired >> population too small to be a significant market in India? This is not >> so. Ajit Kanetkar, Head – Technical Cell, ACG TechnoVersity informs, >> “As per available statistics, India accounts for a staggering 20 per >> cent of the world’s blind population, which is approximately 7.8 >> million. The visually impaired population, globally, is 285 million. >> Of these, 39 million are blind and 246 million have weak vision. >> Nearly 90 per cent of the visually impaired population lives in >> developing countries.” >> >> No legislation = no initiative >> >> The European Union (EU) issued a directive in 2005 for pharma and >> packaging companies realising the urgent need for braille script on >> medicine packs for visually impaired people. The legislation (Article >> 56 (a) of council directive 2001/83/EC) requires that the product >> name, strength, and dosage appear in braille script on all pharma >> packaging. >> >> 20151031ep05 >> >> Kanetkar says, “The EU regulation has been the guiding factor for >> pharma companies to introduce braille for any medical product for >> human use. The EU directive defines this ‘as any substance or >> combination of substances presented as having properties for treating >> or preventing disease in human beings.’ This regulation has since led >> the way for other countries who are quickly following suit. All EU >> legislation relating to pharma products is covered under the EE-A >> Agreement and so the EEA areas (Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway) >> have also implemented this directive. Even countries like Brazil, the >> US and Canada have implemented a mandate for braille labelling on all >> pharma packaging. The export markets like the EU and North America >> have braille-compliant pharma packaging, in line with the EU mandate >> (2005) and Can-Am Braille (2009).” >> >> Though the EU directive for pharma packaging mandates the use of >> braille script and many countries have already implemented it, pharma >> companies in India have not followed suit. >> >> 20151031ep03 >> Chakravarthi AVPS >> Pointing out the key reason, Chakravarthi AVPS, Chief Executive >> Officer, Managing Director, Ecobliss India and Governing Board Member, >> Indian Institute of Packaging and Asian Packaging Federation stresses, >> “There is no legislation in India that braille has to be incorporated >> on the pharma packs. Obviously, companies see no big advantage and >> they are not pushing for it. It’s no wonder braille implementation >> takes a back seat in India in the absence of a legislation.” >> >> Kanetkar further says, “There are very few pharma companies that are >> looking at adopting this technology. Braille on pharma packaging is >> not a government mandate in India. The Indian government is taking >> many gradual steps towards introducing braille script on pharma >> packaging through government and non-government bodies. In India very >> few blind people can actually read braille. But since the braille >> script on pharma packaging is not a mandate in India, the technology >> advancement as well as education of the visually impaired in braille >> in this sector has been minimal.” >> >> A pricey option >> >> 20151031ep04 >> MK Banerjee >> Besides lack of regulations, cost also plays an important role. >> Replying to a query raised on whether Indian companies are running far >> behind in adopting advanced pharma packaging technologies, MK >> Banerjee, Director, C&I (Global), Essel Propack apprises, “I believe >> Indian companies are aware of the technology gap and new technological >> requirements to produce new generation pharma packaging material. >> However, drug ‘price control’ regulations are hampering investments in >> new plant and machinery to produce advanced pharma packaging material. >> Cost of new technology has to be plugged-in to fall within ‘price >> control’ formula.” >> >> Since, there are limited pharma companies practicing in India, it also >> requires updated technical assistance. Kanetkar says, “Challenges for >> braille or pharma packaging are three-fold. Firstly, there is an >> additional cost in upgrading the packaging machinery and be braille >> compliant. Secondly, braille dots need to be high enough to be easily >> read, but not too high that it perforates the packaging. The >> manufacturer must ensure that braille dots are not malformed or >> missing, while ensuring accurate spacing. And lastly, quality control >> is extremely critical in braille pharma packaging, for one misplaced >> dot could lead to costly lawsuits, high product recalls and tarnish >> the brand image.” >> >> Braille printing methods >> >> While informing about current printing practices against the braille >> script requirements, Banerjee says, “In order to print braille script >> (user instructions) print machinery has to be modified with in-line >> screen print units so that higher deposition of ink or varnish is >> possible. Most of the primary and secondary packaging for pharma >> products are printed with either rotogravure or offset printing >> technology. Both these print technologies cannot deposit higher >> grammage of ink and varnish that are required to create braille dots.” >> >> Kanetkar suggests, “Marburg medium should be used as the preferred >> braille font for pharma packaging, as recommended by the European >> Commission and other agencies worldwide. Also, specifying dot >> diameter, dot spacing, character and line spacing makes it easier for >> manufacturers of vision inspection systems to develop readers that >> automatically interpret the dots. The Indian government can set a >> global example by leading the introduction of expiry dates in braille, >> something that is not mandated anywhere else in the world.” >> >> Additionally speaking about the implementation of braille on pharma >> packs in India, he says, “Although the braille script technology is >> gaining widespread usage in developed countries, it still remains to >> be seen how it will develop in a highly vision-impaired population >> country like India. We also have to wait for some mandate for braille >> on pharma packaging. Once there is a directive from the government, >> the technology will develop further, making it easily accessible and >> cost effective. If the government is able to put in place, some >> regulations for implementation followed by education of the visually >> impaired in the braille script through multiple agencies, government >> and NGOs, then this situation may become the necessity that will drive >> the implementation.” >> >> Looking beyond >> >> With the United Nations designating October 1 as ‘International Day of >> Older Persons’, it is apparent that global concerns for a rapidly >> ageing population are only set to increase. >> >> Indian pharma manufacturers also need to look into developing >> solutions for the geriatric population. In the last two to three >> decades, life expectancy cycle in India has been increasing which >> means the graph of the elderly population will certainly move upwards. >> So are we ready to tap this market? >> >> Chakravarthi says, “India will see a rise in elderly population. But >> if one looks into the statistics, the number is far less than Europe >> and other developed countries. However, we need to seriously give a >> thought on compliance packs, and packs which are very user friendly. >> One has to really think of how effectively dose packs can be used by >> elders. We also need to focus on self administered drugs.” >> >> Essel Propack is one of the companies which is an early mover when it >> come to developing senior friendly products. Banerjee informs, “As we >> have been learning from the West and also Far Eastern countries, to >> cater to the demand of vast and growing elderly population, packaging >> designs have to be ‘senior citizen friendly’ so that one can open >> and/or dispense the unit dose conveniently by themselves. We have >> developed ‘easy squeeze’ senior citizen friendly pharma tubes. We also >> have patented technology for ‘pill dispenser’ that facilitates the >> senior citizen dispensing of individual pill simply by tilting >> slightly downward and shaking the container. Likewise, we have >> patented as dispenser for controlling (prescribed) dosage of liquid >> drugs (syrup). These basic innovations help senior citizens greatly >> and the inventors earn their blessings anonymously.” >> >> It may take a long time to bring global technologies to the India >> market. However, our manufacturers can identify areas where >> alternative methods can be used to cater to the needs of each section >> of society. This could act as a differentiator as well as open up new >> market segments. >> >> u.sha...@expresssindia.com >> >> -- >> Avinash Shahi >> Doctoral student at Centre for Law and Governance JNU >> >> >> >> Register at the dedicated AccessIndia list for discussing accessibility of >> mobile phones / Tabs on: >> http://mail.accessindia.org.in/mailman/listinfo/mobile.accessindia_accessindia.org.in >> >> >> Search for old postings at: >> http://www.mail-archive.com/accessindia@accessindia.org.in/ >> >> To unsubscribe send a message to >> accessindia-requ...@accessindia.org.in >> with the subject unsubscribe. >> >> To change your subscription to digest mode or make any other changes, >> please >> visit the list home page at >> http://accessindia.org.in/mailman/listinfo/accessindia_accessindia.org.in >> >> >> Disclaimer: >> 1. Contents of the mails, factual, or otherwise, reflect the thinking of >> the >> person sending the mail and AI in no way relates itself to its veracity; >> >> 2. 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Contents of the mails, factual, or otherwise, reflect the thinking of >> the >> person sending the mail and AI in no way relates itself to its veracity; >> >> 2. AI cannot be held liable for any commission/omission based on the mails >> sent through this mailing list.. >> > > > -- > Avinash Shahi > Doctoral student at Centre for Law and Governance JNU > > > > Register at the dedicated AccessIndia list for discussing accessibility of > mobile phones / Tabs on: > http://mail.accessindia.org.in/mailman/listinfo/mobile.accessindia_accessindia.org.in > > > Search for old postings at: > http://www.mail-archive.com/accessindia@accessindia.org.in/ > > To unsubscribe send a message to > accessindia-requ...@accessindia.org.in > with the subject unsubscribe. > > To change your subscription to digest mode or make any other changes, please > visit the list home page at > http://accessindia.org.in/mailman/listinfo/accessindia_accessindia.org.in > > > Disclaimer: > 1. Contents of the mails, factual, or otherwise, reflect the thinking of the > person sending the mail and AI in no way relates itself to its veracity; > > 2. AI cannot be held liable for any commission/omission based on the mails > sent through this mailing list.. > > > > > Register at the dedicated AccessIndia list for discussing accessibility of > mobile phones / Tabs on: > http://mail.accessindia.org.in/mailman/listinfo/mobile.accessindia_accessindia.org.in > > > Search for old postings at: > http://www.mail-archive.com/accessindia@accessindia.org.in/ > > To unsubscribe send a message to > accessindia-requ...@accessindia.org.in > with the subject unsubscribe. > > To change your subscription to digest mode or make any other changes, please > visit the list home page at > http://accessindia.org.in/mailman/listinfo/accessindia_accessindia.org.in > > > Disclaimer: > 1. Contents of the mails, factual, or otherwise, reflect the thinking of the > person sending the mail and AI in no way relates itself to its veracity; > > 2. AI cannot be held liable for any commission/omission based on the mails > sent through this mailing list.. > -- Thanks and Regards, Mohit Gupta. Rajasthan. Register at the dedicated AccessIndia list for discussing accessibility of mobile phones / Tabs on: http://mail.accessindia.org.in/mailman/listinfo/mobile.accessindia_accessindia.org.in Search for old postings at: http://www.mail-archive.com/accessindia@accessindia.org.in/ To unsubscribe send a message to accessindia-requ...@accessindia.org.in with the subject unsubscribe. To change your subscription to digest mode or make any other changes, please visit the list home page at http://accessindia.org.in/mailman/listinfo/accessindia_accessindia.org.in Disclaimer: 1. Contents of the mails, factual, or otherwise, reflect the thinking of the person sending the mail and AI in no way relates itself to its veracity; 2. AI cannot be held liable for any commission/omission based on the mails sent through this mailing list..