The Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC) on Thursday issued an alert regarding the common painkiller, Meftal, and said that people must take the drug only after consulting a doctor as it contains mefenamic acid which can trigger adverse reactions like DRESS syndrome, etc. Meftal is a commonly used drug for menstrual cramps and rheumatoid arthritis.

“Healthcare professionals, patients, and consumers are advised to closely monitor the possibility of the above adverse drug reactions (ADR) associated with the use of the above-suspected drug,” the alert said.

The advisory recommended individuals notify the national coordination center of the Pharmacovigilance Programme of India (PvPI) within the commission by submitting a form on the website www.ipc.gov.in or utilizing the Android mobile applications ADR PvPI and PvPI Helpline No. 1800-180-3024.

The alert from the Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission comes as Meftal was rapidly becoming a common painkiller in homes with people using it without much caution to get some relief from muscle and joint pain.

The primary constituent of Meftal is Mefenamic acid, a pain-relieving agent employed for the alleviation of muscle and joint pain as well as menstrual pain. Additionally, it exhibits efficacy in mitigating sore throats, nerve pain, and muscle aches.

Doctors at Al-hayat Hospital in South Kashmir’s Anantnag district have registered a record by removing the longest appendix ever in the country.

A team of doctors headed by Dr Azad Hussain recently operated a 20-year-old female patient and removed 23.7 centimetres (9 inches) long appendix from her body.

Dr Azad told Asian News Hub (ANH), that the patient was operated through laparoscopic procedure and was discharged from the hospital in good condition, health.

He said, that the specimen is designated to be preserved at the GMC Pathology museum, serving as an educational resource for future learning endeavors.

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The average length of the appendix is 4.5 cm in neonates and 9.5 cm in adults, but this may vary between 2 cm to 20 cm. The longest appendix reported in the literature measured 26 cm removed from 72 year old during an autopsy in Croatia in 2006 (Guinness World Records).

A first of its kind, Laparoscopic, Trans-abdominal Preperitoneal (TAPP) Meshplasty for inguinal indirect hernia was today performed at District Hospital, Shopian.

The procedure was done by a team consisting of Consultant Surgeons, Dr.Mohamad Shafi, Dr. Taj-din assisted by OT technicians. The Anaesthesia team consisted of Dr. Atif, Dr. Irfan and D. Shabir.

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Based on clinical examination and relevant investigations, TAPP was planned and successfully done and the patient was discharged on the 2nd post operative day, informed the MS DH.

All logistic support was provided by MS District Hospital Shopian, Dr Rubeena Maqbool.

The procedure including medicine was done free of cost under the scheme of AB- PMJAY.