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.
TRENDS
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.
TRENDS
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
TRENDS
Wake up, it’s time to sleep!
The annual multi-country sleep survey has shown that a majority of the respondents recognise the importance of achieving quality sleep and its impact on overall health but the understanding of various solutions to sleep-related issues remains elusive. March 17 is World Sleep Day
INDIA
Rising Covid cases: Health Ministry advises five states to prevent spread of infection
The five states, which have received the letters, include Kerala, Maharashtra, Telangana, Gujarat and Karnataka.
TRENDS
India gets first dedicated precision oncology centre
The burden of cancer is rising in India with nearly 20 lakh new cases predicted annually from 2025 and personalised cancer care is pitched as the future of cancer treatment
BUSINESS
Time for pharma industry to move from Make in India to Invent in India: Laurus Labs CEO
The government should look into incentivising disruptive research in the healthcare sector, says Satyanarayana Chava, the founder of the Hyderabad-based company that sells active pharmaceutical ingredients in over 55 countries.
TRENDS
COVID-19: Experts stress weeks ahead crucial as cases creep up in many states
In light of a rising trend in influenza-like illnesses and severe acute respiratory illnesses being witnessed in many states, the Centre also called an interdepartmental review meeting last week
TRENDS
Why keto diet may be more harmful than good for you
The low-carb, high-fat diet was associated with increased levels of bad cholesterol along with a twofold heightened risk of cardiovascular events, according to a first-of-its-kind observational study
BUSINESS
Lack of subsidies a major challenge for private hospitals, says Sterling Hospitals’ Gill
Sterling is the largest corporate hospital chain in Gujarat and has tertiary care hospitals and cancer centres in Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Rajkot and Gandhidham
TRENDS
Novartis, Eli Lilly get court notices in case related to breast cancer drugs
The Kerala High Court said the drugmakers are parties to a petition seeking generic versions of their patented products to lower treatment costs.
TRENDS
India’s focus not only on healthcare but also on wellness: PM Modi
Addressing a post-budget webinar on health and medical research, Modi said that beneficiaries managed to save nearly Rs 80,000 crore in treatment costs by availing of services under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Aarogya Yojana.
TRENDS
Flu virus strain in circulation causing more severe symptoms: Dr Gagandeep Kang
This particular H3N2 strain, which is behind most influenza cases in many cities, seems to be causing bronchitis and associated symptoms, such as diarrhoea and conjunctivitis. These symptoms are usually less common with influenza, says Kang.
TRENDS
Bariatric surgery for obesity is gaining ground in India, but has a long way to go
Though aggressive public awareness campaigns and programmes are being conducted by different institutions to promote bariatric surgery in the country, the social stigma associated with surgery for obesity, lack of awareness and non-coverage by health insurers are major hurdles.
TRENDS
Influenza outbreak in several cities; patients report severe, longer sickness
In India, influenza virus circulation usually peaks during the monsoon season between June-September with secondary peaks during winter seen between November-February
HEALTH-AND-FITNESS
Proton beam therapy offers new lease of life to cancer patients, fewer side-effects: experts
Apollo Proton Cancer Centre is the country’s first and only hospital to have proton beam therapy in clinical operation.
