An overview about Hedychium spicatum: a review

The Indian Himalayan Region (IHR) serves as tremendous repository of plant biodiversity which is derived from extreme altitudinal gradients and phenomenal geographic provinces and has been proved as the richest reservoir of medicinal plants and aromatic plants. The lavish range of plant biodiversity in IHR is supported by various landscape features that provide myriad of habitats. Hedychium spicatum Buch-Ham (Zingiberaceae), commonly known as spiked ginger lily, is found in the entire Himalayan region. Rhizome contains about 4% of essential oil and its phytochemical investigations have shown the presence of a variety of terpenoids (monoterpenoids, sesquiterpenoids and diterpenoids).Traditionally, the rhizomes are used in the treatment of respiratory disorders, fevers, tranquilizer, hypotensive, antispasmodic, CNS depressant, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant, antifungal, pediculicidal and cytotoxic activities. The family Zingiberaceae well known for its immense medicinal values is distributed widely throughout the tropics, particularly in Southeast Asia. Zingiberaceae family is an important natural resource that provides many useful products for food, spices, medicines, dyes, perfume and aesthetics. Ethnobiologically, H. spicatum is not commonly popular throughout the Indian Himalayan region, but multifarious uses are practised specifically in different regions. In this review, we will briefly explain about the various multi-faceted aspects about Hedychium spicatum. Keywords: Hedychium spicatum, Chemical composition, Rhizomes, Zingiberaceae

Drug utilization studies among ENT patients in various clinical settings: A comprehensive review

Drug utilization research is thus an all important part of pharmacoepideminology as it explains the extent, nature and determinants of drug exposure. A drug utilization study is a tool for determining the effectiveness of drug use. They have tendency to create sound economic bases for health care. It focuses on various factors related to prescribing, dispensing, and administration of medication and associated events. It is a study which is used for analyzing or describe-quantitatively and qualitatively- the population of users of a given drug (or class of drug) and/or the condition of use (for example, indication, duration of treatment, dosage, previous or associated treatment and compliance). ENT problems have been counted as prominent as well as commonly occurring medical problem for our society. It is a problem of most concern. Drug utilization studies can play a major role to identify the nature of therapy used in their treatment and also helps to promote the rationality and minimizing the errors in the drug therapy. Such kind of studies can be helpful for healthcare practitioners as well as to the society against such health issues. Drug utilization research developed quickly during the following 30 years and soon became a respectable subject for consideration at international congresses in pharmacology, pharmacy and epidemiology. Successful research in drug requires multidisciplinary collaboration between clinicians, clinical pharmacologists, pharmacists and epidemiologists. Without the support of the prescribers, this research effort will fail to reach its goal of facilitating the rational use of drugs. In this review, we will briefly list various Drug utilization studies in ENT Clinical settings. Keywords: Drug utilization studies, ENT, Prescribing patterns, Rational prescribing,  Pharmacoepideminolog

Drug safety and Pharmacovigilance: An overview

Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) have a major impact on public health, reducing patient’s quality of life and imposing a considerable financial burden on the health care systems at a time when many health care systems are under considerable financial strain. All healthcare providers have roles to play in maintaining a balance between a medicine's benefits and risks. Once a drug is available to the public, making a determination about its safety is the shared responsibility of all who are part of the prescribing process, including patients. The role of healthcare professionals is vital in recording and reporting suspected ADRs in order that regulatory agencies are alerted of emerging safety concerns and thereby facilitating timely and appropriate action. Pharmacovigilance is an important exercise for monitoring of drug related issues after marketed in “real world setting”. Pharmacovigilance and all drug related issues are important for everyone whose life is being impacted any way by medical interventions. The evolution of Pharmacovigilance in recent years has growing importance as a science critical to effective clinical practice and public health science. The national Pharmacovigilance centers have become a significant influence on the drug regulatory authorities, at a time when drug safety concerns have become increasingly important in public health and clinical practice. This paper unfolds the basics of drug safety and other important aspects of Pharmacovigilance. Keywords: Adverse drug reactions, Pharmacovigilance, Drug regulation