Transasia Bio-Medicals Ltd.

With the spike in malaria and dengue during the monsoons, clinicians are faced with the challenge of quick and accurate testing and finding new ways to reach out to the endemic areas. Since both these vector-borne diseases exhibit symptoms also evident in many other viral infections, the onus is on the laboratories to select testing methods that correctly identify the parameters specific to these two diseases. A swell in the volume of cases each year, has brought Rapid Diagnostic Tests (RDTs ) into the limelight. RDTs offer pathologists an immediate answer to whether a person is infected or not and are an ideal choice in a resource constraint setting. Besides offering a faster response time, RDTs also offer the benefit of combination tests (NS1 Ag and differential IgG / IgM Ab in the case of dengue and differential diagnosis of falciparum and vivax infection, in the case of malaria) which is particularly advantageous when patients report on the fourth or fifth day of feve...

In the first edition of this blog, we evaluated the impact of EDL on the healthcare system. The Indian IVD manufacturers have an important role to play along with the health ministry to ensure that EDL truly benefits the patients at large. In this concluding series let us evaluate the same: In addition to the healthcare sector, an EDL will also have a significant impact on the IVD manufacturing industry: An EDL, by listing country/region specific needs, could help develop target product profiles (TPPs) . A TPP provides details on the minimum and optimal performance and operational characteristics of priority diagnostic tests. Researchers and manufacturers use TPPs to ensure that R&D activities are focused on relevant products to meet the needs of end users. Moreover, an EDL is prepared taking into consideration, target users, intended use, infrastructural requirement, sample type and volume, sample handling, performance, diagnostic testing algorithm, etc. Thus, an IVD ma...

WHO’s latest announcement on introducing an Essential Diagnostic List further emphasizes the need to widen the reach of important diagnostic tests for timely disease management. The good news is India has taken the lead to develop its own National EDL. What needs to be seen is how the government and the industry come together to integrate the EDL to further boost the efforts towards a Healthier India. The impact of global warming is not just on our melting glaciers. The rampant spread in infectious diseases, both new and old; has become a big concern for the healthcare specialists. Gone are the days when malaria was associated only with monsoons. Weather variations bring with it the unpredictable onset of host of diseases, further pushing the health machinery into action to contain the spread. The recent outbreak of Nipah virus in Kerala, once again highlights the crucial role played by diagnostic tests for the precise and early detection of emerging diseases. Clinici...