TRENDS
Bengaluru start-up, Shroff eye hospital develop ‘bioengineered cornea’, to seek DCGI nod for human trials
The ‘bioengineered cornea’ is a class of products powered by tissue-specific exosomes and tissue-mimetic biomaterials to promote regeneration of healthy functional cornea. When this is applied as liquid drops on the cornea, it solidifies in less than 10 minutes using visible light and integrates to the patient’s cornea
HEALTH-AND-FITNESS
Pharma bodies join hands to improve quality of pharmacy education
Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance, Pharmacy Council of India sign MoU to this effect. So far, 35 teachers have been trained under the first phase. The intention is to help build a competent workforce for the industry.
TRENDS
CloudSEK report says hackers don’t have access to CoWin’s backend database
The cyber firm’s report rules out weakness in CoWin's infrastructure. With cyber infrastructure of the health sector witnessing repeated attacks in the past few months, experts have urged the government to mandate healthcare as a critical infrastructure.
TRENDS
No leak of users' data from CoWIN portal, adequate safety measures in place: Govt
A government source said all application programming interfaces (API) associated with CoWIN are being looked over, and the Health Ministry is expected to post a clarification in this regard.
TRENDS
Apollo partners with Cellogen for cancer treatment, to start human trials for indigenous CAR-T therapy
The bispecific CAR-T therapy can target two different antigens on cancer cells, which is more effective in killing cancer cells and reducing the risk of developing resistance to the treatment
TRENDS
Mass cremation last resort; will provide every opportunity for identification of deceased: Pradeep Jena, Odisha Chief Secretary
With 82 dead bodies still to be identified in AIIMS Bhubaneswar, Jena said the state government hasn’t taken any decision on mass cremation of the unidentified.
HEALTH-AND-FITNESS
Pharma companies take FDC drugs off shelves after central govt ban
Sales of Rs 807 crore will be hit due to the ban on 14 FDCs announced last week. A majority of the cocktail drugs are from the respiratory segment.
TRENDS
Odisha train tragedy: 59 bodies await identification at AIIMS Bhubaneswar
The officials at AIIMS said 64 out of 123 bodies have been given to the families or relatives, however, the identification of the remaining bodies and handing them over to the families remains a daunting task.
INDIA
Govt bans 14 cocktail drugs for posing health risks, lack of therapeutic justification
An expert committee has said there is "no therapeutic justification" for these fixed-dose combination drugs that may involve risk to human beings
TRENDS
Gujarat firm gets Pharmexcil notice for contamination probe after eye infections reported
The owners of Indiana ophthalmics have been a 48-hour window to investigate the complaint and reply to the export council
TRENDS
Laurus funding will help make CAR-T therapy affordable in India: Rahul Purwar, ImmunoACT
The Mumbai based firm is awaiting Indian drug regulator’s approval for the market authorisation of their first product; HCAR-19, against the B cell malignancies like lymphoma and leukemia.
TRENDS
Displaying anti-tobacco warning mandatory for OTT platforms, Centre notifies rules
The notification, published on World No Tobacco Day, mandates the OTT platforms to display anti-tobacco health spots for a minimum of thirty seconds each at the beginning and middle of the programme.
TRENDS
Indian pharma must ensure compliance with global standards: Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw
Slowing global economic conditions are expected to trigger greater utilisation of generic drugs and biosimilars because they offer lower-cost alternatives to expensive branded drugs, she said.
TRENDS
Govt tweaks policy to prevent export of spurious cough syrup
As per the amended policy, the pharma companies from June 1, 2023, will be allowed to export the cough syrups only after they produce a certificate of analysis (CoA) from any of the six central, regional drug testing laboratory or any NABL accredited laboratory across the country.
TRENDS
As vaping ban violations rise, Health Ministry seeks stricter implementation of e-cigarette ban
Despite penalties and imprisonment prescribed for offenders, E-cigarettes are available across a range of sources including tobacco vendors, general stores and online providers.
TRENDS
Beedi business shouldn’t get the benefits of a cottage industry: AIIMS study
The report said that the government should make beedi workers aware about the health hazards of beedi rolling, smoking, and passive smoking, and provide better healthcare services, including screening and treatment for tobacco-related illnesses.
TRENDS
As govt readies plans to test drugs before export, industry stresses on quality management
To check adulteration, the health ministry has started deliberations on testing drugs prior to export. However, the pharma industry has called for strengthening drug quality management and eschewing over-reliance on testing
COMPANIES
Pfizer asks doctors to suspend use of life-saving antibiotics over quality concerns
Pfizer said some deviations were observed in the manufacturing of Magnex, Magnex Forte, Zosyn and Magnamycin, which are used in treating infections infections in critically ill patients
TRENDS
MedTech industry seeks fine print of newly announced medical device policy
Vishwaprasad Alva, former head FICCI’s National MedTech group, said the government has ignored suggestions put forward repeatedly by the industry in the newly announced policy
TRENDS
Pharmexcil suspends membership of Safe Formulations over alleged Tramadol smuggling
The firm had told the government body that it will reply by April 28 but didn't respond hence their membership has been suspended
TRENDS
India will see small waves of COVID-19 but situation is under control: Principal Scientific Advisor
About 9,111 COVID-19 cases and 27 deaths were reported in the last 24 hours, according to the Union Health Ministry data.
TRENDS
Covid spike to stabilise in two weeks, need to assess vaccine efficacy, develop new shots: Dr Guleria
The former AIIMS director said the coronavirus would continue to mutate and become more infectious, and that the country will continue to see smaller waves in the coming months.
TRENDS
China reports first bird flu death, three cases notified to WHO
The WHO said the exact source of bird flu infection and how this virus was related to other avian influenza A(H3N8) viruses circulating in animals, was still not known.
TRENDS
Adar Poonawalla advises elderly to mask up, take Covovax booster as COVID cases rise
Proposing the uptake of newly approved COVID vaccine, the CEO of Serum Institute said Omicron XBB & its variants can be severe for the elderly.
