Press

Keep up with the latest happenings in Erba

Molecular Diagnostics essential for combating infectious diseases in India

Date : 25 Sep, 2017

  • Experts share their opinion on the key role played by molecular testing
  • Transasia sets a platform to discuss the future trends in diagnostics
  • Soon to launch a complete portfolio for molecular testing for India and other emerging countries

Mumbai, 25th September, 2017:  As India battles under the grip of infectious diseases with an incremental rise in the number of cases each year, the Ministry of Health and the medical fraternity is introducing initiatives for spreading awareness and early detection.

To this effect, Transasia Bio-Medicals Ltd., recently held their inaugural scientific advisory board meet – TRANSAB, that brought together the industry experts from across the country to share the views on the future of diagnostics in India with a key focus on molecular diagnostics.

Healthcare needs currently require clinicians to deliver precise diagnosis. While smear microscopy, is still being used for rapid detection, molecular diagnostics is soon picking pace as the preferred method for its specificity and sensitivity, particularly for infectious diseases. 

Tuberculosis remains one of the most widespread, with every fifth new case in the world living in the Indian subcontinent. Resistance to Tuberculosis is a growing concern further pressing the need for precise and early detection for targeted therapy. Besides this febrile infections such as malaria, dengue and chikungunya have similar presentations and are thus difficult to distinguish amongst them. That’s where molecular diagnostics help since it goes to the extent of analyzing a molecule that is a marker of the disease, thereby aiding in definite diagnosis.

Transasia has been contributing to meeting the need for essential diagnostics by bringing home the latest technologies. Its UK subsidiary, Erba Molecular is one of the few companies in the world for state-of-the-art patented molecular diagnostic products. Transasia is soon to launch a comprehensive suite of molecular testing products for infectious diseases and cancer markers. 

Addressing reputed pathologists, clinicians, lab owners and hospital heads at the first meeting of TRANSAB, Dr. Laurence Tisi, CEO of Erba Molecular said,

“Tuberculosis is plaguing India. There are simply not enough people being tested and for the ones being tested, the tests being used are not sensitive enough to accurately detect tuberculosis. With the rise in the resistant strains of the bacteria, precise detection of tuberculosis is imperative. Molecular testing holds the key. It helps clinicians in early detection and thus better therapeutics.”

Dr. Pankhi Dutta, Consultant Hematopathologist, Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, Mumbai who was one of the delegates at TRANSAB added,

“Molecular diagnostics is the need of the hour, for not just infectious diseases but hemato-oncology as well. Infact in 2016, the WHO has introduced revised guidelines for classification of tumours based on numerous molecular markers. Gone are the days, when clinicians would just rely on the microscope for definite detection of leukemia. Molecular diagnostics has become a necessity.”

Mr Y.S. Prabhakar, CEO, Transasia, opined

“WHO data shows India has the most number of TB cases among the six countries that account for 60% of total cases worldwide. Other infectious diseases such as malaria, dengue, HIV, HCV are adding to the growing concern. Cancer, on the other hand, results in the death of over 5 lakh patients a year with over 14.5 lakh people living with the disease in India. We are aiming to address these issues through the rapid development and availability of a variety of new molecular genetic technologies. These are likely to provide clinicians with an array of options for accurate diagnosis.” 

In addition to molecular testing, TRANSAB, set the stage for insightful discussions on the way forward for diagnostics in India with a focus on varied aspects such as nucleic acid testing in blood banks, role of disruptive technologies in biochemistry, changing norms for making advanced parameters routine in blood testing and evolution of quality assurance in labs.    


Sources:

  • http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/health-fitness/health-news/rise-and-prevalence-of-cancer-in-india/articleshow/56969996.cms
  • http://indianexpress.com/article/lifestyle/health/world-tuberculosis-day-2017-india-still-has-24-per-cent-of-worlds-total-tb-cases-goal-4583275/