The impact of COVID-19 on our lives: Is this the new normal?

Posted on July 27, 2020 by martindowpharma

There are many types of humans out there and all have different coping mechanisms when it comes to adapting to change. When this pandemic started in 2020 many thought that it would just be over soon and that COVID-19 will be out of our lives. However, this is really not what happened. Many out there came to know that this is a virus that is not going anywhere soon enough and half past 2020 we are still dealing with it.

What happened?

To safeguard the general population, governments around the globe came up with some rules to follow. One of the rules that had to be followed in its complete entirety was social distancing. Social distancing means maintaining a distance of 6 feet or more at every time. This means that no matter where you are, at a grocery store, outside running, or shopping for other things, you need to stay away from other people while maintaining a distance of 6 feet.

How did it start?

All of this started with governments implementing lockdowns around the globe as soon as the World health Organization (WHO) characterized this coronavirus as the pandemic. First case was reported in China in November 2019 and since then it has taken the world by storm. Now wearing masks in public, maintaining social distancing, and washing hands is considered as the new normal.

As of July 2020…

As of July 2020 some countries are still rise in the cases while some are seeing a decline. As for China, the country claims that they have successfully tackled the second wave of the disease with sheer planning and rapid testing. Experts around the globe believe that a vaccine for this disease can soon be available. Different pharmaceutical companies are working around the clock round the globe to make sure that a vaccine is available as soon as it can be.

Ongoing Trials

One of the largest trails is going on in Brazil and it is believed that this potent vaccine is working. As soon as the vaccine is available it will be first given to Brazil. All in all, this virus has changed our lives in many ways. For people who have been holed up in homes for months now, things are not looking good. Not going out and meeting with friends has taken a lot of toll on mental health around the globe. People have become anxious and depressed and are now looking for ways to cope with it. Helplines have been setup and people are reaching out.

Life as we know it has changed for good and it might remain the same for a few more months to say. If the vaccine is developed early on then we can expect life to turn back the way it was. Martin Dow took it to their social media to raise awareness about this new normal so that people may know that they are not alone.

Have you too become anxious? Are you too feeling overwhelmed? Well, you aren’t alone. This is the new normal for now. How are you dealing with this pandemic and lockdown? Let us know.

Martin Dow Pakistan celebrated French National Day

Posted on July 15, 2020 by martindowpharma

Bastille Day is known as one of the most important days in the history of France, for this is the day when the storming of the political prison known as Bastille took place. Bastille was much more than just a political prison and acted as a fortress and armory in the center of Paris. This day is celebrated on 14^th July every year across France and is known as the National Day of France to English speaking countries. Martin Dow Pakistan took it to their social media to join in the celebrations.

Although, there were only 7 people at the time of storming of the Bastille but still what mattered was the storming of the prison as it represented monarchy in its truest form. With the fall of bastille, a way was paved and a spark was ignited in the ongoing French Revolution which was a period of chaos, anarchy, and settlement; all at the same time. It went on for almost a decade i.e. Starting from 1789 and ended in 1799. The revolution resulted in unprecedented changes in the country. Monarchy was overthrown and replaced by a republic, which then succumbed to political turmoil, and then ultimately was succeeded by a dictatorship under Napoleon Bonaparte. It is still debatable whether what happened was good or bad, but all we know is that it appeared the best option or refuge at that time.

Although the exact causes of the French revolution are still debated, it was the American Revolution that set the stage for events that led to the French revolution itself. It was a fight for equal rights and was based on the enlightenment principles. It laid the foundations for modern day France and hence the day is celebrated as the national day. For any country and its citizens, national day is a day of honor, pride, and integrity.

Pharmaceutical industry has come a long way in France since then and so have the pharmaceutical companies in France. Like every sector in the country, this industry also owes a lot to the country and therefore expressed its utmost gratitude while celebrating the national day.

Martin Dow group specifically came forward with the online celebrations and extended its heartiest congratulations to the Martin Dow France team. It’s important to know and acknowledge the rich French history in order to know how far the country and its people have come.

How to take care of your Mental Health during these hard times? Yoga!

Posted on June 24, 2020 by martindowpharma

During these hard times it is really important to take care of your mental health but the real question is: how to do it? Experts state that there are many ways to do so without you having to work very hard. However, this advice on mental health varies from person to person. As a generalized rule, it is understood that doing exercise is extremely beneficial for mental health. Many around the globe believe yoga and meditation really help the cause. Pharmaceutical companies along with other sectors have been pressing hard to raise awareness for mental health all along. So let’s understand how does yoga help us?

One should know that the soul that is more caring and sensitive tends to suffer more. Generalized status of people’s mental health has taken a nosedive with the implementation of lockdowns and this is not happening in just one or two countries, rather it’s a global matter. People around the globe are worried on how to address their mental health issues. Humans were not hardwired this way, we tend to socialize, live in groups, talk our hearts out and share things. When all of a sudden life has come to a halt and nobody is allowed to meet anybody, where people are put away from their loved ones, and there is no sharing and caring, things have taken a disastrous turn if examined from the aspect of mental health.

There are certain chemicals or as you say hormones that are secreted by our body that tend to keep our anxiety levels low. Apart from doing this, these hormones are also responsible for mood changes like being happy, sad, or any other. When we are confined to the four walls of our homes and aren’t allowed to interact, coupled with no movement and a stationary lifestyle, the level of these chemicals starts to diminish. This in turn leads to a constant sadness and a deteriorated mental health.

What yoga does is that it increases body awareness, concentration, and attention. It also reduces strain, inflammation, and muscle tension and above all it calms the nervous system. Yoga has been associated with increased levels of gamma-aminobutyric acid or GABA. This is a chemical that helps regulate the very nerve activity. In addition to this, it enhances the sense of social well-being and alleviates symptoms of hyperactivity, depression, and sleep disorders. Pharmaceutical companies in Karachi realize the importance and have been campaigning about mental health awareness.

All in all, yoga can be really life turning for you. It can help you achieve what you have been thinking of doing by helping you concentrate and increasing your attention span. Stretch your legs and arms so that you can concentrate better and focus sharply! Recently, Martin Dow along with others took it to their social media to highlight the importance of yoga.

If you still have any questions, you can always reach out to us.

Tips to Eat Healthy

Posted on June 22, 2020 by martindowpharma

Everyone wishes to eat healthy or at least tries to but reality might be far away than one could think of. You should know that eating healthy is not just a habit – it is much more than that. Eating healthy is in itself, a lifestyle that one adopts to make sure that whatever we are putting in our body is good and healthy. People around the world are often confused when they are asked about how to eat healthy? The reason behind this is unlimited and unverified information. When one doesn’t know what is authentic, he/she becomes confused. It is important to spread the right message and that is why different pharmaceutical companies in France took to the stage about this matter.

Balance of calories

What you need to understand is how to balance calories. Our body requires a daily fixed amount of calories to survive. Our body gets these calories via food. So, if we are mindful of what we eat and how many calories are we consuming then it might not be a difficult task to eat healthy. It has been recorded that men require 2500 calories/day and women need 2000 calories/day to stay healthy. Over eating might lead to over consumption of calories that might in turn add to the fat percentage of your body. Try to think of it is a counter balance, the more you eat over the daily required percentage, the more you are putting fat. When body starts to store more and more fat, you start to become over weight and over time – obesity takes over you.

What to do?

What can you do to avoid this calamity? Simply consume what you need and burn the excess calories, if you have consumed any. In addition to that, try eating foods that are high in fibre such as brown rice, whole wheat pasta, and skin-on potatoes. Cut off the fat portions from your meat. Eat as much greens and fresh fruits as you can because these not only provide the daily calories but also vitamins and minerals indispensible to our body. Try adding a banana to your morning cereal, or gulp a milkshake in evening, minus the sugar. Eat 2 portions of fish in a week. You can choose from salmon, sardines, trout, herring, mackerel or plaice, haddock.

Once again, we’d like to reiterate the fact that you should cut down on saturated fats and processed foods. High intake of sodium or spices can damage your body in innumerable ways. Moreover, processed food is high in saturated fats and experts deem it unhealthy. Try reducing your sugar consumption by cutting down on fizzy drinks and pop sodas, instead try fruit smoothies and milkshakes made at home. So these are some of the tips for you to eat healthy and stay healthy. Martindow France took it to their social media to share such healthy eating tips and others should also follow in their footsteps.

Reminder: Always make sure to wash your hands for 20 seconds because this helps stop the spread of COVID-19

World Blood Donor Day 2020: Important things to know before you donate blood

Posted on June 14, 2020 by martindowpharma

With the rising demand of blood donations, it is important to understand what blood donation is and why is it important? There are many people around the world who want to donate but don’t know ifs and buts of it. Understanding blood donations doesn’t require multiple degrees; you just need to know what to do and what to look out for. For those of you who don’t know, blood donor day is celebrated every year on 14^th June around the world. The importance of blood donation should not be undermined in any possible way because blood donation saves lives.

Every two second – arises the need for blood – cause can be any

On this world blood donor day, health professionals along with pharmaceutical companies, raised voice to spread awareness among masses. If you are someone who wants to donate blood then you should check whether you are eligible or not. In most of the countries if you are in between 18 and 65 years of age then you are allowed to donate blood, given the fact that you don’t have any existing health conditions that bar you from donating blood. One might ask here that what the conditions are. Well, if one has tattoos, has recently undergone a dental treatment, tests positive for Hepatitis B or C or any other virus, has piercings, or has recently traveled to countries with diseases like chikengunya, yellow fever, malaria, and, dengue then he/she should first check to see the eligibility.

Things to look out for..

If you have made up your mind to donate then there are few things that you should look out for. Make sure that you have eaten a whole and nutritious meal before you donate. There are many who report passing out after donating. This can be due to a sudden decrease in Blood pressure. So make sure that you have had a good night’s sleep prior to donating. Also don’t compromise on your water intake. Hydration is extremely important and keeping yourself hydrated before and after the donation is equally important. Also if you can, take 2 to 3 glasses of water or juice before donating. You should also not forget what medications have you taken on the day of donation and tell your doctor. Drugs such as blood thinners, aspirin, and others might make one ineligible for donating up to a certain period so be sure to follow this step.

Don’t work out right after donating because this can also alter your blood pressure and make you drowsy or dizzy. Don’t take alcohol for up to at least 12 hours after donating as it can make you weak. Blood donation is a noble cause and everyone should come forward to take part in it. Martindow pharmaceuticals, in its capacity, also tried to spread the message. There are many people around the world who are suffering from diseases or are in need of operations that require blood donations. So be the one who saves lives by donating blood.

Pharmaceutical Industry Regulations And Standards

Posted on June 11, 2020 by martindowpharma

Nothing good comes out of chaos and in an industry where minute errors can wreak havoc, following regulations and maintaining standards is a must. The quality and efficacy of pharmaceutical products is directly proportional to quality assurance and control. Hence, a reliable approach to maintaining these standards is indispensable for the larger good. The reason behind this strict control is the health of masses.

Reliance on the manufacturer

None of the both, a pharmacy or medical professional, can tell the difference between a quality product and an otherwise inferior one by just looking. Owing to this reality, the sole responsibility lies on the manufacturing department – In this case, the pharmaceutical industry. There are multiple factors during the whole process that can affect the production and quality of the drug, therefore implementation of strict protocol and regulations is important.

How do best practices help?

There are best practices for each process and emphasizing on these practices helps achieve the goal in a smooth manner. In pharmaceutical industry, these can be called as drug trails, discovery, distribution, manufacture, and storage – particularly not in this sequence. All of these encompass pertinent good practices for laboratory, clinics, manufacturing, distribution, and storage.

Guidelines by Region

Regulations and standards vary by country and region. This in reality only bolsters the importance of protocol for this industry. For the United States of America, these standards are kept in check by Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the form of Current Good Manufacturing Practice Regulations. FDA inspects and issues guidance for manufacturers and distributors around the world. However, these guidelines don’t bind the manufacturers to follow them only and any alternative is acceptable as long as it fulfills the requirements and follows the regulations.

For European Union, the story is a bit different. For every member state, there is a competent authority that is in charge of authorizing and registering the importers and manufacturers. The compliance should be in accordance with the EU Good manufacturing Practices (GMPs). Now the assessment frequency largely depends on the risk assessment. However, if an importer is importing any drug then the responsibility lies solely on the importer to ensure compliance with GMP.

What exactly are GMPs?

Now what exactly are these GMPS or practices that we have been talking about? It’s a set of regulations which encircles everyone from the manufacturer to senior management to those in charge of any process involved. From making sure whether the process is safe, adequate, and complies with the assigned regulations to assuring hygiene and disinfection of materials and equipment involved, everything comes under Good Manufacturing Practices.

Martin Dow along with other pharmaceutical companies therefore takes all of these standards and regulations very seriously and aims to maintain the highest level of protocols assigned. This consideration is especially important because it affects the collective health of society. There is a set of regulations for personnel, personal hygiene, equipment, premises, waste disposal, and materials. These need to be followed in true spirit and letter because things can really go south, otherwise.

World Environment Day 2020

Posted on June 4, 2020 by martindowpharma

Humans want to call other planets ‘home’ but earth suffers from our poor choices. Every year, ‘World environment day’ is celebrated on the 5^th of June to raise awareness against the acts that are damaging our ecosystem and to promote planting of trees/saplings.

A greener world is a better world

There are not many who believe that a world without trees is a good one yet, most of us don’t think twice when it comes to cutting down trees. Corporations around the globe are cutting through forests for cheap wood and there is no one to stop them. Even many politicians around the globe support them and defend this act by saying that ‘it’s good for the economy’. Well, it might be good for the economy but it certainly isn’t good for the very place you call Earth.

Things are not looking good

With every passing day, rate of calamity befalling earth is increasing. Every day you get to see new fires, new floods, and rapidly intensifying storms. These are signs for those who can see. Many leaders around the world have chosen to turn a deaf ear to this global issue because they believe that rooting for environmental health can do more harm than good. However, it should be noted that damage to one is detrimental for all. As the world turns into a global village, food scarcity in one region affects countless adjacent regions.

Biodiversity

This year’s theme was ‘biodiversity’ – which is both, important and true. Experts from the United Nations stated that fires in Brazil, USA, Russia, Australia, and different catastrophes around the globe tell us about the interdependence of humans and the very life around them. It is important to recognize and appreciate biodiversity because it makes us who we are. To add to the cause, pharmaceutical companies around the globe came together to spread this message of environmental health and what can be done.

One should understand that each year saplings were planted around the world to promote the message. A world with more trees and greenery is better for humans too because trees and plants produce oxygen which is the very building block for all of us, and secondly they help reduce the number of catastrophes and fires. Increasing temperature of the earth has caused way too many problems already but the world is not ready to understand it.

Pandemic directs activities to be shifted online

This year due to the pandemic, every activity was done online so that the motive remains the same without endangering other lives. As large gatherings are banned around the world, people celebrating world environment day took to their computer screens to share and appreciate the message. Martindow pharmaceuticals also joined the cause by sharing and raising awareness via their social media posts and messages.

It’s not an easy world that we live in today but to make sure that this world survives, we have to realize how important is our environment and what can be done to save it.

National Parents Day 2020

Posted on June 1, 2020 by martindowpharma

For those who have dedicated their life towards making ours’ better

There is no single day on earth that can equate the level of hardships and perils that our parents have endured to bring us up. No child knows the level of effort that a parent puts in their child’s upbringing. The life as we know is not so simple and our parents made sure that we don’t get to know it until we were ready. National parents’ day is celebrated every year in June around the world. This year it was celebrated on 1^st June, 2020.

One can’t emphasize enough on the role that our parents play in our lives. Without the effort they put in and the love they share with us, we wouldn’t have been able to stand on our feet, ever. From helping us talk to making us successful, they do everything in their capacity that they can. With us gaining years and strength our parents tend to lose these abilities. In most of the cases, it happens.

One day is not enough to appreciate our parents and therefore everyday should be parents’ day. There is no single society on the face of earth that doesn’t owe all its success to their founding fathers aka parents. Every building block of anything beautiful in your life was put by your parents and therefore it’s important to take care of their needs and appreciate what they did.

Pharmaceutical companies along with Martindow took this initiative of celebrating national parents’ day and made sure that the world knows that whatever we do it’s not enough to equate or even compensate, but reminding our parents that we love them, is a beautiful gesture. Around the world, people don’t take enough care of their parents as they move into their next phases of life. It’s essential to remember that they went through a lot to keep us happy and therefore we can make, if we have to, little sacrifices every now and then to honor their love.

Martindow Pharmaceuticals took to their social media to express the great appreciation and admiration that every parent in the World is worthy of. Although every day is parents day but constant reminders like these are important. Although this parents day was never the same because of this pandemic. Still those, who wanted to, found ways to greet and meet their parents. Most of the celebrations were done in a virtual manner and delivery services helped to share sentiments around the world. Well, this is the beauty of love that it finds ways even in face of worst situations.

Mental Health Awareness Week

Posted on June 1, 2020 by martindowpharma

An act of Kindness goes a long way

If you have someone you can talk to, share your feelings, and rely upon, then consider yourself among the lucky few. People around the world talk about how important is good physique and why is it important to eat healthy but very few focus on mental health. Sure, it’s not something that is visible instantly but it is extremely important. To understand and focus on mental health, mental health awareness week is celebrated around the world from 18^th to 24^th of May and this year’s theme was kindness.

You can’t understand what the other person is going through by just looking at him/her. You need to talk to that person to uncover the reality. It’s hard for some people to express and some tend to over think. All of this combined with the inability to share becomes a huge burden – on mind and on body. Did you know that your body’s reaction to stress and anxiety is a physical one? You’ll start feeling pain in your body and headaches are a given.

Should not be taken lightly…

Mental health is something that should not be taken lightly, still there are many who don’t even consider it a thing. Overworking, stressful conditions, trauma, or some other event that causes distress is enough to disturb your mental health. This year, pandemic has wreaked havoc on the mental health status of many around the globe. People are afraid for their lives and this has a detrimental effect on their mental health. Of course, life is a beautiful thing and to see something killing people in hundreds has stirred up a dilemma across continents.

Covid-19 and mental health

This is not the first time that a pandemic has killed people but this is sure the first time that people are so aware of the situation. Everyday news of cases and deaths is not exactly helpful and is leading to a mental health disaster. To raise awareness on the subject pharmaceutical companies came together globally. These are distressing times and now is the need to focus on mental health, more than ever. Lockdowns, restrictions, and the loss of loved ones is driving people crazy. On top of all this, fear of own death is excruciating. Sharing, caring, and showing kindness is one of the best ways to handle all this fear and anxiety.

If you have a friend, talk to him/her but if you don’t, then seek help from a professional. Don’t let anxiety get to you. Help others and help yourselves. A right state of mind in these times can be really helpful. Same as others, Martin Dow emphasized that mental health awareness is a thing of importance for all. Everyone should know what to do and how to react if someone close by is suffering from any signs and symptoms of a deteriorating mental health.

Speak, so you can be heard and hear, so you can feel. With these words, we’d like to bid you well and hope that none of you experiences anxiety or depression but if you do, always remember, you can find a hearing ear with us.

Big Pharma’s Fight Against the Coronavirus Pandemic: Good News and Bad News

Posted on May 8, 2020 by martindowpharma

The fight against corona virus will be won eventually but it’s a race against time and we don’t have much of that

The Health crisis caused by this corona virus has impacted the world in ways unknown to us. Around the world people are trying to cope with it by whatever means possible. This virus is relatively new and not much is known about it hence the front-lines of this war have moved to laboratories, research centers, hospitals, and pharmaceutical companies. Major players in the pharma industry are having a hard time battling this virus because time is not on their side. For each moment spent in research, Covid-19 kills many. According to experts at a leading pharmaceutical group, “The contagious nature of this disease is not giving us enough time. We are short on supplies and personnel both”.

In order to make up for lost time, big pharma is working around the clock. Many factors come into play when you are tackling something that is wreaking havoc on a global scale. As of now, corona virus has claimed more than 200,000 lives around the globe. The countries around the world are lining up in a pell-mell to receive a cure for virus. However, nobody has been successful in doing so. Scientists are perusing about the ever changing nature and precautions of the disease. In order to sum it up one could say that there is some good news and some bad news.

Good news first?

The good news is that the experts at leading pharmaceutical companies around the globe are confident and hopeful that this virus can be tamed with a collective effort. Here are some efforts that are underway in the fight against this deadly virus.

• Screening of medications already available for a potential curing effect.

• Development of advanced diagnostic aids for early diagnosis and treatment

• Development of vaccines to achieve immunity against COVID-19 ultimately

Pharmaceutical companies in Pakistan are also lined up with the global efforts to find a cure for this novel disease. Word is coming out of a hospital in Pakistan that preparation of antibodies is in final stages for the purpose of immunoglobulin therapy.

Bad news

As for the bad news, when asked about the time duration for availability of an effective cure, the experts at leading pharmaceutical groups stated that the results might not come in a New York minute exactly. Leading pharmaceutical groups in Pakistan share the concern of their partners around the globe. It might take up to 18 months or so for an effective cure to roll out and it might take more than that for a vaccine.

Social distancing is working but not all reports coming out are happy and merry. One needs to understand that we are in this for a long time and effective measures need to be taken for improved results.