TRENDS
No clustering of COVID cases in India, hospitalisation due to XBB variant very low; says INSACOG chief
NK Arora, co-chair of India’s genomic surveillance programme, said the XBB variant and its sub-lineages were being detected from sewage samples, indicating its wide prevalence in the community.
INDIA
Rajasthan doctors call off protest against Right to Health act after govt accepts demands
T. Ravikant, Principal Secretary, Medical Education Department, who held the talks with protesting doctors told Moneycontrol that the government will include suggestions given by doctors in the rules.
TRENDS
Molbio's test kits for H3N2, H1N1 will detect infections in an hour
The diagnostic kit makers said the chip-based RT-PCR test will detect and quantitatively diagnose H3N2, H1N1 in a single test with a sample-to-result time of an hour
TRENDS
XBB1.16 leading COVID case surge, no rise in hospitalisation, says health ministry
In Maharashtra, the XBB 1.16 subvariant has been detected in 93 percent of COVID samples from Pune. The highly transmissible subvariant was also found in over 75 percent of COVID samples in Nagpur
TRENDS
Why Rajasthan doctors are refusing Gehlot's Right to Health pill
Right to Health Bill passed by Ashok Gehlot says neither government nor private hospitals and clinics can refuse a person seeking emergency treatment, adding that the state government will bear the cost of the treatment provided by the hospital. The doctors however, have asked the government to define the term ‘emergency’ properly.
BUSINESS
ICMR's report on deaths due to sudden heart attacks to be out in two months: Mansukh Mandaviya
The Union minister also said a review of data generated on the subject is being conducted by AIIMS, Delhi, and the report should be out soon.
TRENDS
Taking a cue from COVID, India develops own model to calculate TB burden
Using the new mathematical model, the tuberculosis incidence and mortality estimates will be available in India by March every year, six months earlier than the WHO estimates. The Centre may also make such estimates for states in future using this model.
TRENDS
More work needed to diagnose cardiovascular, hypertension problems: Nikhil Chopra, JB Pharma
The CEO of JB Pharma said there was a need to augment diagnosis of cardiovascular diseases in India. He said one in four hypertension patients remains undiagnosed.
TRENDS
Parliamentary panel seeks implementation of e-pharmacy rules without delay
The panel was ‘appalled’ that draft rules for the online sale of medicines had not been finalised till date.
TRENDS
Indian Immunologicals gets DCGI nod to manufacture Measles-Rubella Vaccine in India
The Hyderabad based company partnered with a Vietnamese firm to manufacture the MR vaccine. India saw over 8700 cases of measles; highest in last years, with maximum cases being reported from Maharashtra and Gujarat.
TRENDS
India’s focus must shift to a shorter regimen to tackle drug- resistant TB: Experts
India can save up to $150 million per year by switching to a newer, shorter regimen for treating tuberculosis, one expert says.
HEALTH
Chief of Stop TB Partnership lauds India’s commitment to eradicate disease by 2025
The union government, under the National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP), aims to strategically reduce the TB burden in India by 2025, five years ahead of the Sustainable Development Goals.
BUSINESS
Uttar Pradesh Drugs Controlling and Licensing Authority cancels Marion Biotech's manufacturing licence
22 out of 36 samples of Marion Biotech have been found adulterated with Ethylene Glycol, a substance linked to deaths of Children Uzbekistan.
TRENDS
E-pharmacies ready to engage with Centre for regulation: Prashant Tondon of TATA1mg
In a wideranging interview, the CEO of India’s biggest e-pharmacy defended online retailers, saying they are in full compliance with the law.
INDIA
Covid-19 task force revises treatment protocol, use of drugs
The revised guidelines, seen by Moneycontrol, stresses on avoiding the use of antibiotics.
TRENDS
World Glaucoma Week: Ophthalmologists stress early diagnosis to avoid irreversible blindness
Globally, glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness after cataract. In India, out of 12 million people suffering from glaucoma, 1.2 million people have lost vision due to this disease, as per 2012 statistics.
TRENDS
Prohibition on cards for online pharmacies, health ministry sets the ball rolling for regulation
The government has amended the provisions of operating an e-pharmacy in the draft of the New Drugs, Medical Devices and Cosmetics Bill, 2023. The bill has been sent for inter-ministerial discussions.
BUSINESS
Eli Lilly's psoriasis drug has been approved by India's DCGI, allowing the company to enter Indian dermatology market
According to the Indianapolis-based company, Copellor will be a prescription medication that should only be used under medical supervision and upon the recommendation of a dermatologist or rheumatologist.
INDIA
Financial irregularities in Red cross society flagged to Health Ministry, CBI initiates probe
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has initiated an inquiry in the regional branches of the Red Cross Society located in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Assam, and Karnataka.
TRENDS
H3N2 Influenza: 2 deaths reported in India
India has reported a total of 90 cases of H3N2 influenza so far. In addition to H3N2, eight cases of H1N1 influenza have also been reported in the country.
TRENDS
Uzbek children deaths: DCGI alerts states against firm that supplied raw material to Marion Biotech
The drugs regulator has urged state licensing authorities to issue directions to all manufacturers not to use propylene glycol supplied by Maya Chemtech India
TRENDS
Herbal drug NEERI-KFT may help to heal kidney ailments, suggests Jamia study
The researchers have said that the herbal formulation based on time-tested extracts of medicinal plants like Punarnava, Giloy, Gokhru, Palash and Varuna have been developed after intensive scientific research.
TRENDS
Uzbek children’s deaths: Drug watchdog initiates process of cancelling Marion Biotech’s licence
Twenty-two out of 36 samples of cough syrups made by the company failed drug contamination tests at a central drug laboratory
TRENDS
Uzbekistan cough syrup deaths: Marion Biotech's licence to be cancelled after contamination confirmed
Twenty two out of 36 samples of drugs manufactured by Marion Biotech were found to be contaminated. The state Drugs Controlling and Licensing Authority has started the process of cancellation of manufacturing license of the firm, an official said.
