Over
600 Mumbaites ‘Walk for Life’ against breast cancer
Organized by Dr L H
Hiranandani Hospital and International Oncology Services Pvt Ltd ‘Walk for Life
2014’ witnessed massive participation from over 600 Mumbaites, including breast
cancer survivors, who gathered to support the cause of breast cancer awareness.
In its 4th consecutive year, the event was organized to spread the word on
early detection of breast cancer to prevent further complications.
Flagged off by Niranjan
Hiranandani, managing director, Hiranandani Group, the event‘Walk for Life’ was
supported by Rotary Club of Mumbai, LAKERS and covered a distance of 2.2 kms
around the scenic Powai Lake.
Spearheading the initiative,
Dr Sujit Chatterjee, CEO, Dr L H Hiranandani Hospital said, “The women of our
country are a national treasure. It’s time we all wake up to create awareness
for the love of women in our life because they are irreplaceable. For a grave
disease that it is, the only key to higher long-term survival rates is early
detection. Our aim is to reach out to the masses and encourage all women to
seek facts and not delay any symptoms the decisions related to it.”
The idea behind the walk
is to create and spread awareness on the serious concerns about breast cancer.
Today, it is one of the most common cancers in women accounting to 25-27% of
all cancer cases. The average age of the high risk group in 43-46 years in
India unlike in the West where women aged 53-57 years are more prone to breast
cancer.
Talking about the
initiative, Dr Neeraj Mehta, Regional Head, International Oncology Services
Pvt. Ltd. said, “Breast cancer is the second most common cancer among Indian
women. While the awareness has increased in the past few years, women fail to
take timely action. The lifetime risk of developing breast cancer is one in 22
in urban India and one in 60 in rural India over the lifetime of a woman. It is
also important for people to know about the common myths and taboos related to
the disease and the only way is to create societal awareness through
initiatives such as these. Avoiding risk factors and early detection will go a
long way in reducing incidence and achieving higher cure rates”.
As a forerunner to the
event, Dr L H Hiranandani Rangshila Hospital and International Oncology
Services Pvt. Ltd along with Rangshila theatre group performed street plays in
various locations in Mumbai to spread awareness on breast cancer and the
importance of self detection and early diagnosis.
Among the various
survivors supporting the walk, was Dhansukhlal Shah, a 69 years old man from
Ghatkopar and a breast cancer survivor. Shah was lucky to have diagnosed and
operated this grave disease at a very initial stage, which made it possible to
be cured. Talking about his victory over breast cancer, Shah said, “In my case,
there were two things that helped me get cured, one was an early detection of
the tumour and second is my willpower. An early detection of the disease is
extremely important and that will happen only when more and more people are
aware about the disease.
"Today, very few
people are aware of the fact that breast cancer occurs in men too, even though
the occurrence is low as compared to women. I would therefore urge people to become
aware and know more about the disease. I am here to support this social cause
and contribute to the efforts of Dr L H Hiranandani Hospital,” Shah added.
Source:http://www.pharmabiz.com/NewsDetails.aspx?aid=84705&sid=2
Tofflon bullish on India
as its biopharma industry look for advances in lyophilization
China-based Tofflon is
bullish on India and views it as an important and the fastest market for growth
for lyophilization technology. The company has been catering to leading pharma
and biopharma sector majors including Sun, DRL, Aurobindo, Cipla, Biocon,
Mylan’s Agila among others.
Tefflon holds leadership
position in lyophilization or the method of freeze-drying injectable drugs for
the bio pharmaceutical companies engaged in the production of vaccine, blood
plasma, herbs, antibiotics, healthcare foods and animal drugs. Globally,
Tofflon has over 3,000 installations of freeze dryers in the markets of Europe,
Africa, North America, South America, Russia and Asian countries.
“We are committed to serve
the Indian pharma and biotech industry with greater localisation and
service-driven approach. The company has grown from an equipment supplier to
solution provider, said Robin Zuo, executive director, Tofflon India at a
seminar and workshop on ‘Lyophilized maintenance and latest trends in
lyophilization' held in Bengaluru on October 18, 2014.
The Indian biopharma
industry’s strong presence in the oncology injectable and biological drug space
is driving much of the increased investments for lyophilization, Steven Zhou
business development director, International Business Division Tofflon told
Pharmabiz.
Biologicals are difficult
to manufacture primarily because these are extremely sensitive to oxygen, light
and heat which could be detrimental to the stability of these drugs. Pharma
companies opt for innovative ways to safeguard these important drugs compounds
till these can be administered to patients. The drug majors look to save the
biological activity, extend shelf life, and even increase dosing precision. “We
offer innovative ways to help stabilise compounds so they can be reconstituted
just prior to administration,” he added.
Lyophilized injectables as
vials or in powder form require stringent standards of control because it is for
human use to treat critical illness of patients with cancer or in intensive
care unit for other conditions. India has been engaged in the production of
high value biological and anti cancer drugs, requiring freeze drying
technologies. The production of lyophilized drugs demand specific expertise and
, Indian companies are showing a positive response as they are continuously
investing in Tofflon’s lyophilized technology covering freeze dryer, auto
loading systems, barrier systems, vial filling line, ampoule filling line and
other pharmaceutical equipments, he said.
“Currently, India is
indicating high growth over other countries and for the present we have set our
focus set on this country to maximise our growth prospects”, stated Zhou.
Indian bio pharma has
realized the risk, economics of cost and time when they are engaged in the
production of lyophilized drugs, The trend is the demand for increased drug
safety and a need for safe, long-term storage. The emergence of vaccine and
blood plasma products further enhance the indispensability of freeze drying,
primarily to sustain the efficacy of the formulation. Companies look for return
on investment and therefore opt for the most advanced lyophilized technology,
said Zhou.
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