Background: Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a neuroendocrine metabolic disorder characterized by an irregular menstrual cycle. Treatment for PCOS using synthetic drugs is effective. However, PCOS patients are attracted towards natural remedies due to the effective therapeutic outcomes with natural drugs and the limitations of allopathic medicines. In view of the significance of herbal remedies, herein, we discuss the role of different herbs in PCOS. Methods: By referring to the Scopus, PubMed, Google Scholar, Crossref and Hinari databases, a thorough literature search was conducted and data mining was performed pertaining to the effectiveness of herbal remedies against PCOS. Results: In this review, we discuss the significance of herbal remedies in the treatment of PCOS, and the chemical composition, mechanism of action and therapeutic application of selected herbal drugs against PCOS. Conclusions: The present review will be an excellent resource for researchers working on understanding the role of herbal medicine in PCOS.

Background: It is a known fact that the COVID-19 pandemic negatively affects the mental health of individuals, and it seems that there are many studies on this subject. This review aimed to synthesize the evidence from studies on the mental health problems of immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: Six databases (MEDLINE, CINAHL, Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, WHO Global Health Research) were systematically searched to identify studies. The search was performed following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses. The protocol for this systematic review was registered with PROSPERO (protocolID: CRD4202123****). Data were extracted from a total of 14 studies. Results: Results predominantly highlighted that the studies reported anxiety, depression, stress and fear, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with the percentages of 78.57%, 57.14%, 42.85%, and 28.57%, respectively. In addition, personality and adjustment disorders, bipolar disorder, COVID-19-related discrimination, loneliness, frustration, irritability, and sleep problems were also reported to a lesser extent. Limitations: A significant degree of heterogeneity was noted across studies. Conclusion: The results show that the COVID-19 problem, which negatively affects mental health. Research indicates that these problems arise from indirect situations such as unemployment or loss of income during the isolation and quarantine process, inability to access health services, barriers to communication or misformation, exposure to ethnic discrimination, and direct effects such as illness and death.

The critics of the Innovator pharmaceutical industry allege that secondary patents are trivial modifications over the primary patent, which extend its term and delay the entry of the generics in the market place. The protagonists regard secondary patents a result of continuous research and development (R&D), which help them introduce and protect new, differentiated products. Areas covered: The areas covered are Product life cycle management (PLCM), Drug approval process, Orange book (OB) listed patents, US patent data. Expert opinion: Our analysis of the patents and products of four innovators viz., AstraZeneca, Takeda, Eisai and Wyeth in the field of proton pump inhibitors (PPI's) and Merck and Pfizer in the field of Statins shows that secondary patents help innovators sustain competition against other innovators in the specific product segment. The number of secondary patents listed in OB per NCE depends on the innovators interest in exploiting the NCE, the success of R & D effort and product lifecycle management strategy in the wake of market competition. Market entry decisions of innovators are strategic rather than a mere fallout of the secondary patents granted. Entry of another innovator is more unpredictable and hurts the first entrant more vis a vis the entry of generics who can enter the market when the patents protecting a product are no more enforceable, and hence more predictable. Generic entry in the field of PPI's shows that the term of the primary patent is not extended by the secondary patents.

The global pharmaceutical industry consists of innovators and generics. Innovators focus on drug discovery, and bring new drugs into the marketplace after filing the new drug applications. In contrast, the generics enter the market by making a bioequivalent product by filing abbreviated new drug applications. In order to maximize their returns on R&D and maintain market share, the innovators introduce a wide range of drug products based on the same ‘new molecular entity’ and protect them against competition by filing what the industry term as secondary patents. The patents of four innovator viz., AstraZeneca, Takeda, Eisai and Wyeth related to the gastroesophageal reflux disease drugs and how their new molecular entity patents overcame the nonobviousness criteria is analyzed and studied in detail.