TRENDS
Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin inching closer to US launch plan?
Covaxin was found to be well-tolerated in vaccine-naïve individuals and in individuals previously vaccinated with mRNA vaccines in the US with no vaccine-related serious adverse events, Bharat Biotech’s partner in the country has announced
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Drug samples, brand reminders to doctors should not be seen as gifts: Pharma body
The government is likely to revise the Uniform Code of Pharmaceutical Marketing Practices in 2023.
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COVID-19 testing in mild cases not necessary, may drive panic, say top virologists
Over the past few days, the number of COVID-19 cases in India has risen marginally, owing to a jump in tests even though the test positivity rate stays very low.
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Health emergencies major priority for India during G20 presidency: Health Minister
India has assumed the G20 presidency since December 1 last year and plans to highlight its severe healthcare initiatives, apart from COVID-19 management during the health working group meetings
TRENDS
What can the inspection of select drugmaking units hope to achieve?
Experts point out that laxity on the part of regulators has resulted in substandard and adulterated drugs hitting markets in India and other countries with weak regulatory oversight.
TRENDS
As testing rises 3-fold, COVID-19 cases in India register slight increase
The weekly rolling average COVID-19 test positivity rate in India stood at 0.13 percent on January 3, way lower than the 5 percent level where it becomes alarming, by World Health Organization standards.
TRENDS
Prostate cancer drug now available at one-third cost in India
In India, prostate cancer usually affects men above 65 years of age. However, there has been an increase in reports of cancer in men in the age group of 35-44 and 55-64, mainly in urban areas.
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Breast cancer patients await Kerala court ruling on Ribociclib pricing
Ribociclib is one of three drugs used to treat a specific type of breast cancer and is prohibitively expensive for many patients
TRENDS
Technical panel formed in the aftermath of Maiden Pharma case likely to probe Marion Biotech case too
A spate of allegations that contaminated drugs were being exported to countries with weak drug regulatory mechanisms indicates that larger reforms may be needed
TRENDS
Uzbekistan cough syrup case: Govt may order category-wise halt of drug production based on probe findings
Two back-to-back cases of cough syrups from India, the first one involving Maiden Pharmaceuticals, which was blamed for supplying contaminated drugs that killed 70 kids in Gambia, have tainted India’s image as the ‘Pharmacy of the World’
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Exclusive | Uzbekistan Cough Syrup Case: Drugs sold by Marion Biotech in India under scanner
Drug authorities have asked the drug maker for an undertaking clarifying whether the Doc-1 Max syrup has been supplied in any part of India
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Govt may junk move to seek 20% discount on drugs, 40% on consumables from CGHS empanelled hospitals
Private healthcare providers say that the new clause in the CGHS contract will increase their financial stress.
TRENDS
Drug standard watchdog inspects ‘suspicious’ manufacturing units across India
The move comes nearly a month after a detailed inspection at the drug manufacturing unit of Maiden Pharmaceuticals in Haryana found several Good Manufacturing Practices violations
TRENDS
MC Exclusive | Bharat Biotech’s intranasal Covid vaccine to cost Rs 800 plus 5% GST
The vaccine is likely to be available in private hospitals around January 26 and may cost about Rs 1,000 to a recipient including an administrative charge.
INDIA
Lack of COVID-19 data from China biggest worry for Centre
Huge discrepancy between the real situation in China and what is projected outside. Senior government functionaries said the trend in cases over the next few weeks is going to be extremely crucial.
TRENDS
Bharat Biotech's nasal COVID-19 vaccine to be available from today. Here's how you can get it
The COVID-19 vaccine will now be offered to the adults earlier fully vaccinated with Covaxin or Covishield after the government incorporated changes in the CoWin app.
TRENDS
Follow-up COVID-19 booster shots not on government radar for now
Experts say it may be pointless administering multiple shots of existing COVID-19 vaccines even to those considered most susceptible. However, availability of bivalent or multiple vaccines that work against more than one strain should lead to a change in vaccination policy, they add.
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Exclusive: States make desperate demands for more COVID-19 vaccines, Centre faces a stockout
The Union government’s failure to procure vaccine doses immediately may be seen as an indication that booster shots against COVID may be available only in the private market in days to come.
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MC Explains | Why COVID-19 is spiking in China and whether you should be worried
The situation in China has triggered global concern even though there is a lack of specific data on disease severity, hospital admissions and intensive-care requirements. The fear is that, as before, what happens in China may not stay in China.
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COVID-19: Fresh push to booster shots for adults; focus this time on mix-and- match doses
COVID-19: Even though the explosion of coronavirus cases in China has triggered global concerns, India has maintained that there is no need to panic in view of the extensive vaccine coverage. The government has, however, urged people to stay alert and follow COVID-appropriate behaviour
INDIA
No need to panic, says health minister amid China COVID-19 spike, but urges preparation for a potential surge
“I have directed all concerned to be alert and strengthen surveillance. We are prepared to manage any situation”, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya tweeted
TRENDS
Government urges private vaccine makers to develop vaccine against KFD
The only vaccine against Kyasanur Forest Disease, which strikes hundreds along the Western Ghats every year and kills many of them, has become ineffective over the decades
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China stares at another COVID-19 crisis; can India stay immune?
As China grapples with a surge in coronavirus infections after doing away with its Zero COVID policy, virologists downplay the potential for spillover impact on India, arguing that this country has already paid the price.
TRENDS
Don't breathe easy over AQI improvement, air pollution is not just a seasonal problem: Dr Arvind Kumar
An analysis of lung cancer patients released by Kumar’s hospital recently showed that the deadly cancer is striking Indians a decade earlier than their western counterparts amid growing evidence that a large number of non-smokers are now falling prey to the disease due to air pollution.
