Ceylon College of Physicians

College News 2013 / 2

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Dear Fellows and Members,

It gives me great pleasure to write this message at a time we are preparing in earnest for the 46th Annual Academic Sessions of the College. The Annual Sessions will be held on 12-14th September at the Cinnamon Grand, Colombo, and we are delighted that the sessions this year will be held in collaboration with the Royal College of Physicians of London. A vibrant academic programme has been lined up, with a large number of local and overseas speakers billed to participate. A record number of submissions for orations and free papers were received this year, and we are very pleased with this healthy trend. We have taken several steps to improve the transparency and objectivity of the free paper selection and judging processes. The final decisions on the selection of free papers were taken by the reviewers together by consensus in a conference marking setting, and we are planning to have all the free paper presentations in one session. Pre-congress activities include an Update on Immunology on the 10th September, and a workshop for postgraduate trainees and trainers to be conducted by the RCP London on 11th September. The 3rd Foundation Sessions of the College were held on 25-26th July in the resplendent city of Anuradhapura. The highlights of the sessions included the K Rajasuriya Memorial Oration, and a symposium of management of CKDu which generated intense interest. By all accounts, the Foundations Sessions were a tremendous success, with a stellar cast of local and overseas speakers providing rich academic fare. I take this opportunity to sincerely thank our colleagues in the Anuradhapura Clinical Society for their unstinted support in organizing this event. The academic activities for the year 2013 have revolved around the theme for the year “Physicians for the Future”. In keeping with this, we have embarked on a very ambitious Regional Meeting programme, in an attempt to reach out to the large number of young physicians working selflessly in delivering health care away from the main centres.

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The College academic calendar has been rather busy, with Speciality Updates, Young Physicians Forum and College lectures being held every month. The pinnacle of the academic calendar, of course, will be the Annual Sessions in September. I earnestly request all of you to participate in this. I trust this will be a time for knowledge sharing, and for forging and renewing lasting friendships.

Dr Udaya Ranawaka

President

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

CEYLON COLLEGE OF PHYSICIANS

No. 341/1, Kotte Road, Rajagiriya. Tel: 011-2888146/011-3094140 Fax: 2888119 E mail : office@ccp.lk

web : ccp.lk

46th Annual Academic Sessions

12th, 13th and 14th September

At Cinnamon Grand, Colombo

SEE FULL PROGRAMME INSIDE

Website: ccp.lk

This programme was developed with the dual aims of promoting professional development and strengthening bridges of friendship with our outstation colleagues. The regional meetings have been a platform for them to showcase the work they do with limited resources. Five meetings have been conducted so far, and we are hopeful we will be able to have one regional meeting in each province

Dr Udaya Ranawaka, President CCP addressing the audience at Foundation Sessions inauguration ceremony

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3RD

FOUNDATION SESSION OF THE CEYLON COLLEGE OF PHYSICIANS 2013

The 2nd Foundation Sessions of the Ceylon College of Physicians (CCP) was held jointly with the

Anuradhapura Clinical Society (ACS) on 25-26 July 2013 at Palm Garden Village Hotel, Anuradhapura.

The academic programme was comprehensive and this year it included one and a half days of academic

sessions which is a first for the Ceylon College of Physicians. The programme consisted of symposia on

immunology, CKDu, non-communicable diseases, tropical medicine and talks on lot other more topics.

The 3rd Foundation Sessions of the CCP was very much successful with the participation of more than 150

participants including physicians in training.

A parallel symposium on Non-communicable diseases and a workshop on disability and rehabilitation

also held in the RDHS office, Anuradhapura, for the benefit of the nursing officers and other allied health

care personnel, another first for the CCP. It was held jointly with the National Stroke Association of Sri

Lanka and the participation of the nursing officers for the programme was well above what was expected.

There was another novel concept took place, that was the trainer/trainee meeting. The MD trainees in

Anuradhapura and their trainers including the members of the Board of Study (Medicine) met in parallel

to the Foundation Sessions Clinical Programme, to discuss about their issues related to the MD training

programme where very important suggestions came out from trainees to improve the course.

Prof Varuni De Silva presented the K Rajasuriya Memorial Oration “From pesticides to medicinal drugs:

suicide and deliberate self harm in Sri Lanka)

Welcome of the Chief Guest & Guest of Honour Dr Senaka Bndusena, Joint Secrerary CCP in

the Ceremonial Procession

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Dr Udaya Ranawaka, President CCP The CCP Council

lighting the lamp of learning

Prof W I Siriweera - Chief Guest Prof Professor Malini Udupihille - Guest of Honour

delivering his speech delivering her speech

Prof Varuni De Silva delivering the K Rajasuriya Dr Dinithi Fernando, Joint Secretary CCP

Memorial Oration delivering the vote of thanks

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46TH

ANNUAL ACADEMIC SESSIONS 12-14 September 2013

The 46th Annual Academic Sessions of Ceylon College of Physicians will be held from 12th to 14th September

2013 at the Cinnamon Grand, Colombo.

This year, the sessions will be held jointly with the Royal College of Physicians, London.

Ceylon College of Physicians is the supreme professional body that has committed for propagation of

medical knowledge among physicians and physicians-in-training since 1967. It is committed towards

high quality patient care at all levels of delivery of health service in the country. Among its many

activities, CCP also provide advocacy for important national medical issues to the Ministry of Health.

The College has approximately 700 members, both local and overseas, and the Annual Scientific Sessions

is keenly awaited by medical specialists, postgraduate trainees and primary care doctors. It is an

opportunity to upgrade knowledge and skills and also renew old friendships and to make new ones.

The line-up for the sessions includes workshops, plenary lectures, thematic symposia, interactive

sessions, orations and free paper and poster presentations. The sessions will cover content related to

tropical medicine, neurology, cardiology, stroke, infectious diseases, endocrinology, emergency medicine,

respiratory medicine and gastroenterology. Experts from around the world and Sri Lanka are invited to

share their vast expertise with the participants.

The sessions will be inaugurated on the 12th September at the Cinnamon Grand Colombo and will be

followed up by a fellowship dinner. The College Banquet will be held on the 14th September to conclude

the Sessions.

Registration Fees

Category Registration fee

CCP Member Rs 6,000

Non member Rs 8,000 Overseas delegate Rs18,000

SAARC delegate Rs15,000

Associate member Rs 3,500

PG trainee– non member, Junior Doctor Rs 4,000

For online registration: visit our website ccp.lk

Ceylon College of Physicians

341/1, Kotte Road, Rajagiriya

Tel - 011 2888146, 011 3094140

Fax - 011 2888119

email - office@ccp.lk

4 Ceylon College of Physicians

Ceylon College of Physicians’ 46th

Annual Academic Session

12-14 September

Programme

“Physicians for the Future”

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FOR THE DIARY 2013

YOUNG PHYSICIANS’ FORUM & COLLEGE LECTURES

SPECIALITY UPDATES

The Ceylon College of Physicians has arranged a series of Speciality Updates in collaboration with the

relevant sub speciality societies, associations and colleges.

Speciality updates will be held at the Lionel Memorial Auditorium, Sri Lanka Medical Association,

Wijeyrama Mawatha, Colombo 7.

22nd August Cardiology Dr Naomali Amarasena 10th September Immunology Dr Suranjith Seneviratne 29nd October Adolescent Medicine Dr Jithangi Wanigasinghe

11th November Rheumatology Dr Nihal Gunatillaka

Dr Lalith Wijayaratne

26th November Nephrology Dr S Mathu Dr Kamani Wanigasuriya

3rd December Toxicology Dr Shaluka Jayamanne

Young Physicians’ Forum

Young Physicians Forum College Lectures will be held on Tuesdays at the Lionel Memorial Auditorium, Sri Lanka Medical Association, Wijerama Mawatha, Colombo 7. 13th August College Lecture - Dr Niranjala Meegodavidana

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REGIONAL CLINICAL MEETINGS

A series of regional meetings has been planned in collaboration with the regional clinical societies and

National Stroke Association of Sri Lanka. Symposia on Non- communicable diseases and workshops on

rehabilitation will be integral components of these meetings. There will be trainer/trainee meeting

whenever possible to improve the quality of the MD (Medicine) training programme.

From the schedule for the year, four more meetings are to be held.

NEW MEMBERS

ASSOCIATE MEMBERS

▪ Dr MM Lekamwattage

▪ Dr RDNC Sarathchandra

▪ Dr SH Atukorale

▪ Dr P Ranasinghe

▪ Dr DRRHB Dissanayake

▪ Dr BKN Fernando

▪ Dr AGS Susantha

Date Province Place

3-4 October East Batticaloa

25 October West Kalutara

7 November Sabaragamuwa Ratnapura

8 November Uva Badulla

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COMPLETED ACTIVITIES

YOUNG PHYSICIANS’ FORUM AND COLLEGE LECTURE

YPF and College lectures were held successfully once a month from February to July 2013, at the SLMA

Auditorium with a satisfactory number of participants.

SPECIALTY UPDATES

Specialty updates on respiratory diseases, gastroenterology and hepatology, endocrinology, neurology,

haematology, infectious diseases and stroke were successfully held on 29th January, 26th February and 21st

March, 30th April, 28th May, 25th June and 30th July 2013 respectively, at the SLMA auditorium, with above 80

participants at each event. The most updated diagnostic and management strategies were discussed by well

experienced clinicians.

“Specialty Updates” is a programme held once in every month from the month of January 2013 to December.

REGIONAL CLINICAL MEETINGS

Four Regional Clinical Meetings were successfully completed at Kurunegala, Jaffna, Hambantota and

Nuwara Eliya.

Regional Clinical Meeting – Kurunegala

This was held on 15th February 2013 at New Auditorium (Drug Stores Complex), Teaching Hospital

Kurunegala jointly with Kurunegala Clinical Society, with the participation of 205 local doctors including

physicians-in-training.

Out of the 10 resource persons, 5 speakers were CCP members.

A parallel Symposium on Nom-communicable diseases and workshop on disability and rehabilitation was

held jointly with the National Stroke Association of Sri Lanka, in the OPD Auditorium of the Teaching

Hospital, Kurunegala, for the benefit of the nursing officers and junior doctors. It was very much

successful with the participation of 95 nursing officers and junior doctors.

A part of the nurses

participated

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Regional Clinical Meeting – Jaffna

This was held on 5-6 April 2013 at Jaffna Public library auditorium jointly with Jaffna Medical Association

with the participation of 176 local doctors including physicians-in-training.

Out of the 20 resource persons, 7 speakers were CCP members.

A parallel Symposium on Nom-communicable diseases and workshop on disability and rehabilitation was

held jointly with the National Stroke Association of Sri Lanka, at Jaffna NTS auditorium. 106 nursing

officers and junior doctors participated and 9 out of 11 resource persons were contributing from the CCP.

Dr Udaya Ranawaka, President CCP A part of the nurses participated Lighting the lamp of learning

The community awareness programme on NCD was another parallel programme which was done jointly

with the National Stroke Association of Sri Lanka, on 6th April at Jaffna University Library Auditorium.

This was very much successful with the participation of 70 public members. All the resource persons

were from the Jaffna Medical Association.

A concurrent trainer/trainee programme was held on 5th April at Tilco City Hotel, where MD (Medicine)

trainees and their trainers discussed their issues related to the MD (Medicine) training programme.

Regional Clinical Meeting – Hambantota

This was held on 17-18 May 2013 at Auditorium, DGH Hambantota jointly with Hambantota Clinical

Society with the participation of 135 local doctors including physicians-in-training.

Out of the 18 resource persons, 9 speakers represented the CCP.

A parallel Symposium on Nom-communicable diseases and workshop on disability and rehabilitation was

held jointly with the National Stroke Association of Sri Lanka, on 17th May at Auditorium, JMO office

complex with the participation of 66 nursing officers and junior doctors. Six out of 12 resource persons

represented CCP.

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A workshop on enhancing insulin therapeutic skills was held and 71 nursing officers participated. Two

local doctors contributed as resource persons.

A concurrent trainer/trainee programme was held on 17th May at DGH Hambantota, where MD Medicine)

trainees and their trainers discussed their issues related to the MD (Medicine) training programme.

Dr Panduka Karunanayake was awarded A part of the Audiance

the certificate of participation

Regional Clinical Meeting – Nuwara Eliya

This was held on 21-22 June 2013 at Auditorium, DGH Nuwara Eliya jointly with Hill Country Clinical

Society with the participation of 117 local doctors. Out of 14 resource persons, 7 speakers represented

the CCP.

A parallel Symposium on Nom-communicable diseases and workshop on disability and rehabilitation was

held jointly with the National Stroke Association of Sri Lanka, on 21-22 June at Auditorium, RDHS office,

Nuwara Eliya with the participation of 89 nursing officers and junior doctors. Seven out of 11 resource persons

represented CCP.

Dr Nanda Amarasekera is Dr Nirmalal Wijekoon Part of the audiance

chairing a session delivering her lecture

10 Ceylon College of Physicians

Dear Doctor

Important safety concerns on the use of Cyproterone Acetate and Ethinylestradiol

The Cosmetics Devices & Drug Regulatory Authority (CDDA) wishes to draw your attention to recent

reviews on the safety of combination product Cyproterone Acetate and Ethinylestradiol.

Serious adverse thromboembolic events have been reported from France following extensive off-label

use of Cyproterone Acetate 2mg and Ethinylestradiol 35mcg Tablets (Diane 35 and its generic products).

At the request of the French National Agency of Medicines and Health Products Safety (ANSM),

Pharmacovigilance Risk Assessment Committee of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) has reviewed

the safety of the product and had concluded that the benefits of the drug outweigh the risks provided that

several measures are taken to minimize the risk of thromoembolism.

The following brands and branded-generics are currently authorized for marketing in Sri Lanka

• DIANE 35 manufactured by Bayer Schering Pharma AG, Germany and marketed by Hemas

Pharmaceuticals (Pvt.) Ltd

• GIANE 35 manufactured by Renata Ltd, Bangladesh and marketed by Emerchemie NB (Ceylon) Ltd

• ESSTELLE 35 manufactured by Douglas Pharmaceuticals, New Zealand and marketed by Farnell

Ceylon (Pvt) Ltd

• TINA manufactured by Biolab Co Ltd, Thailand and marketed by George Steuart Health (Pvt) Ltd

Information to healthcare professionals

• Cyproterone Acetate 2mg and Ethinylestradiol 35mcg Tablet is not authorized for the sole

purpose of oral contraception

• Cyproterone Acetate 2mg and Ethinylestradiol 35mcg Tablet should only be used for the

treatment of moderate to severe acne related to androgen-sensitivity (with or without seborrhea)

and/or hirsutism, in women of reproductive age.

• For the treatment of acne, these medicines should only be used only if topical therapy or systemic

antibiotic treatment has failed.

• Since these medicines act as hormonal contraceptives, they should not be used in combination

with other hormonal contraceptives. They should be discontinued 3 to 4 menstrual cycles after the

androgen-rlated condition has completely resolved. Concomitant use with another hormonal

contraceptive will expose women to a higher dose of oestrogen and increases the risk of

thromoembolism.

• Cyproterone Acetate and Ethinylestradiol is contraindicated in women with a personal or close

family history of confirmed idiopathic venous thromoembolism and in those with a known current

venous thrombotic or embolic disorder.

• Women who have severe acne or hirsutism may have an inheritent increased cardiovascular risk.

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• Doctors should review patients on Cyproterone Acetate and Ethinylestradiol in line with these

recommendations at their next scheduled appointment

• Doctors should discuss with their patients the risk of thromoembolism and risk factors such as

increasing age, smoking, obesity and prolonged immobility. Patients should be educated to

recognize signs and symptoms of venous thromoembolism.

References:

www.ema.europa.eu – News and Events

www.tga.gov.au – Safety Information

www.healthcanadians.gc.ca – Important Safety Information about Diane®35

Sent by Medical Technology & Supplies (CDDRA)