The Pharma Softech Advance Working Action and Correction System (AWACS), a joint venture of All Indian Origin Chemists and Distributors Ltd (AIOCD Ltd) and the Chennai based Medi-Infotec to offer market surveillance service for Indian pharma industry.

Max Healthcare is set to add four more hospitals to its network by 2010, including one with an exclusive focus on oncology, its Chairman, Mr Analjit Singh, has said.

The Centre is planning to amend the Transplantation of Human Organs Act, 1994 to bring also transplantation of tissues and therapy, apart from human organs, under the purview of the law in line with advancement in medical technology.

Under immense pressure from the World Health Organisation (WHO) to streamline the entire drug administration system in the country, the health ministry has embarked upon a series of training programme for its officials in Canada and US to improve the system on the lines of advanced countries like Canada, US and Europe.

The Andhra Pradesh Drugs Control Administration (APDCA) is planning to decentralize the drug department by appointing joint directors in the Rayalaseema, Andhra and Telengana regions of the state.

Novartis has posted satisfactory performance during the first half ended June 2008. Its net profit went up by 13 per cent to US$4,574 million from $4,035 million in the corresponding period of last year.