Exchanging health information – eHealth Initiatives in the USA : Susan Thomas, eHEALTH

[This article was published in the February 2008 issue of the eHEALTH Magazine (https://www.ehealthonline.org)]

The multi-stakeholder, non-profit eHealth Initiative (eHI) recently released the results of its Fourth Annual Survey (2007)of Health Information Exchange at the State, Regional and Community Levels in the United States of America, taking stock of 130 community-based health information exchange initiatives. We seek to take stock of the situation as it now appears in the US, and what kind of learning it proposes to the rest of the world.

Architecting Health Network – Building a Foundation for Health Connectivity : Michael Gill, Cisco Internet Business Solutions Group

[This article was published in the February 2008 issue of the eHEALTH Magazine (https://www.ehealthonline.org)]

Health IT tends to be a catch-all phrase and includes almost anything electronic that displays or transports information. This article focuses primarily on the transportation of information and the provision of applications in a connected environment, where connectivity is the defining factor.

NEWS REVIEW – INDIA

[This article was published in the February 2008 issue of the eHEALTH Magazine (https://www.ehealthonline.org)]

NEWS REVIEW

Cirrius Wireless designs marketing network for pharma giant

Pharmaceutical firm Merck Ltd announced recently that it has partnered with software firm Cirrius Wireless Technologies for providing mobile-based solution, marketing network and activation system (MANAS) to its sales representatives across the country.

Two pharmacy PHR projects launched in Germany

Two new pilots are underway to offer pharmacy personal health records (PHRs) in Germany. Both are based on a PHR including details of current medication and offer patients the potential to offer prescription ordering online.

India and France to cooperate in the health sector

Union Health Minister, Dr. Anbumani Ramadoss, currently on an official visit to France, discussed cooperation in certain fields such as Medical Research, Biotechnology, Development of vaccine, Promotion of Indian Systems of medicines and cooperation between ICMR and INSERM of France

PREMIUM PRODUCTS – Health Insurance : Ivan Chak, Head, Life Profit Centre and Accident & Health division, Tata AIG Life Insurance Company Ltd.

In the short term perspective health insurance industry is expected to grow at a rate of 25% annually till 2010, while in the long term, it is expected to grow at a rate of 5% annually thereafter.

Developing nations will lobby for research funds for TB, malaria

India and other developing countries are set to lobby hard for funding mechanisms to develop medicines,
mostly aimed at neglected diseases such as tuberculosis and malaria, at a forum set up by the World Health Organization or WHO. Developed countries have long maintained that patents are sufficient incentive for innovation.

China unveils healthcare scheme

China’s Health Minister has announced an ambitious program to provide basic healthcare for every citizen in the world’s most populous nation.

India’s Drug Regulatory Authority to be based on US FDA Model

In the next three years, India would move towards setting up a drug regulatory authority on the model of the US FDA, the country

Cellworks in collaboration with Orchid on drug discovery

Cellworks Research India, the Bangalore-based research and development (R&D) wing of Cellworks Group Inc (California-headquartered company), has assisted Chennai-based Orchid Chemicals and Pharmaceuticals by providing system biology technology in carrying out ongoing New Chemical Entity (NCE) research programme.

SMB hospitals are more challenging than the larger hospitals : Dinesh Samudra, Director and COO, SEED Healthcare Solutions’

SEED Healthcare Solutions� Director and COO, Dinesh Samudra, in conversation with eHEALTH shares his views on the challenges and opportunities of catering to the SMB segment.

THERE IS ROOM FOR NICHE INITIATIVES LIKE OURS : Dr. E. S. Rajendran, MD, New Steth Diagnostic Solutions Pvt. Ltd.

Interview