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Medical device policy: A boost for industry, while consumers can hope for affordable, high-quality products
The goal of the policy is to help India emerge as a leader in manufacturing and innovation of medical devices by achieving 10-12 percent share in the global market over the next 25 years, from 1.5 percent now
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Child rights body turns up heat on Bournvita maker for breach in food safety norms
A major controversy had broken out around Bournvita when a now-deleted video by a social media influencer, that claimed that Bournvita uses ingredients that, if consumed on a daily basis, could lead to diabetes, went viral. The video also showed that one of the ingredients, a colouring agent in the product, could cause cancer.
BUSINESS
Poor air quality hits cognitive development in children under 2 years, shows new study
The study is the first to demonstrate an association between poor air quality and cognitive problems in infants under two years of age, when brain growth is at its peak.
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Global pharma companies pushing to innovate in India: OPPI president
The industry body says it is collaborating, converging and co-creating with the government and other stakeholders to enable an innovative environment in India
BUSINESS
It’s possible for private hospitals to offer quality services without being exploitative: H N Reliance Foundation Hospital CEO
The Mumbai-based hospital keeps patient-and-family-centered care integral to all its operations, says its CEO Dr Tarang Gianchandani.
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Fortis to acquire Medeor's 350-bedded Hospital in Manesar Gurugram
Currently, Fortis operates 27 healthcare facilities and the network comprises approximately 4,300 operational beds and 400 diagnostics centres.
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India gets first National Liver Board aimed at counselling thousands of liver patients every year
This board aims to consult and support 20,000 patients in its first year and with its digital-first approach, utilise tech advancement in the field of healthcare to discuss over 30 patient cases in a day.
TRENDS
MC Explains | Things you can do to stay safe as temperatures soar
Infants, children, those over 65 and people who are overweight, ill or on certain medications are particularly vulnerable to heat-related illnesses. It is important to take precautions, especially after 11 people who attended a government function on April 16 in the scorching heat in Kharghar died due to heat stroke, while several others were hospitalised.
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MC Explains | What’s driving the recent surge of Covid-19 cases in India
Experts say the Omicron subvariants in circulation may not trigger a fresh wave of infections, but rising test positivity rates in some cities mean individuals with flu-like symptoms need to be more responsible.
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COVID-19 cases cross 10,000 per day but booster vaccination stays sluggish
Slow public procurement of COVID-19 vaccines has meant that the only way those eligible can avail the booster is by paying at private hospitals, leading to very low demand for precautionary doses despite rising cases.
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Lifestyle diseases, cases of obesity and cholesterol irregularities on the rise: Report
Non-communicable diseases affect not only health, but also productivity and economic growth; the estimated economic burden is expected to be about $4.8 trillion by 2030.
BUSINESS
How Abbott is bringing together groups to quickly identify viral threats in India, world
When an illness of unknown origin is identified, Abbott’s coalition partners move to sequence samples, identify if it’s a known or unknown pathogen, and when needed, alert health systems or public health agencies about these cases
TRENDS
All you need to know about Mounjaro, the antidiabetic injectable also touted as the most powerful weight-loss drug ever
The availability of the drug in India may cause a major disruption in the Indian diabetes care drugs market which is expected to register a CAGR greater than 3.5 percent between 2022 and 2027. The COVID-19 pandemic has contributed a major increase in the market.
BUSINESS
No custom duty on import of drugs, food for rare diseases, announces government
The Union finance ministry said it had been receiving representations seeking customs duty relief for drugs and medicines used in treatment of various rare diseases.
TRENDS
COVID-19 continues to surge in India but Paxlovid is only a minor player
Apart from reducing hospitalisation for the most vulnerable group and its efficacy against Omicron variants, Paxlovid has also shown to decrease the chances of long COVID-19.
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Will rise in price caps of essential drugs expose chinks in price control policy?
Advocates of patients’ rights say the increases undermine the purpose of setting prices of essential medicines and wholesale inflation may not be the most appropriate basis.
COMPANIES-2
Drug regulators crack down on companies making substandard medicines
Under the drive, licences of 18 firms have either been cancelled or suspended.
TRENDS
Commonly used medicines to get 12% more expensive from April
Prices of non-scheduled drugs, on the other hand, are set to go up by up to 10 percent as per government rules.
TRENDS
MC Explains I Why Bedaquiline going off patent in India in July may be a giant leap in the fight against TB
India leads the world in tuberculosis cases and mortality due to the disease. It also accounts for over one fourth of all drug-resistant TB cases detected globally every year.
TRENDS
India will soon roll out a new drug regimen for drug-resistant TB: Director, ICMR- National Institute for Research in Tuberculosis
New, shorter treatment for drug-resistant TB, vaccine can be game-changers in India, which reports the highest number of cases and mortalities due to the infectious disease every year.
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Rural PPP hospitals: Private operators want govt help with operational costs, permission to fix fee
The Centre’s revamped subsidy scheme to create rural hospital infrastructure in public-private partnership mode offers capital grants of up to 80% from 60% earlier.
TRENDS
Efforts on to launch once-a week- insulin in India by mid-2025: Novo Nordisk MD
Danish pharma giant working on launching Icodec. India managing director and corporate vice-president Vikrant Shrotriya says the company also has a plan to launch anti-obesity drug, Wegovy, in India but it may not happen very soon.
TRENDS
Govt to make anti-smoking warning mandatory for OTTs
The health ministry has held several rounds of talks with the I&B ministry, and it has been decided that changes would be made in COTPA, said a senior official. Changes are expected within the next few months, said officials.
TRENDS
All you need to know about the Omicron XBB. 1.16 variant that is causing a fresh surge in COVID-19 cases in India
The latest uptick in coronavirus infections comes amid the parallel outbreak of seasonal flu, driven by H3N2 influenza virus, which is making people sick across the country
