Pharma & Health News Top Stories Today – HealthBreaking barriers: Infertility care and the science of new beginnings 06/03/2026As India encounters a declining total fertility rate and sings of downturn in population replacement, with leading clinical voices, policy advisors, legal minds, investors, and patient advocates, the sixth edition of the ETHealthworld Fertility Conclave is set to explore the breakthroughs, technological innovations, and clinical advances that are reshaping fertility treatment and family planning across […]Karnataka to ban social media for children under 16 06/03/2026"With the objective of preventing adverse effects of increasing mobile usage on children, usage of social media will be banned for children under the age of 16," state Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, in his annual budget speech on Friday.NITI Aayog, UNICEF to boost nutrition efforts in Aspirational Districts 06/03/2026The agreement will focus on strengthening Anganwadi infrastructure, enhancing nutrition literacy, improving the uptake of Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) and building the capacity of frontline workers, the public policy body mentioned.India committed to eliminating cervical cancer with multi-pronged approach: Nadda 06/03/2026Nadda informed reporters that over 86 million women have already been screened for cervical cancer under the programme, reflecting India's sustained commitment to early detection and prevention.India sees surge in protein products; Brands aim to integrate essential nutrients into daily diets 05/03/2026Between 2011–12 and 2023–24, intake rose from 60.7 g to 61.8 g in rural areas, and from 60.3 g to 63.4 g in urban areas. It is progress, but only just. Several studies still suggest that close to 70% of Indians, somewhere between 73 and 80% of the population, do not meet recommended protein intake […]Severe irritability in teens can be reduced by daily doses of vitamins, minerals 05/03/2026Our new research, based on a double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial, shows broad-spectrum micronutrients (vitamins and minerals) can significantly reduce severe irritability in teenagers. Teens with severely disruptive behaviour experienced especially large improvements.‘All-or-nothing’ attitude may hurt exercise habit: Study 05/03/2026Researchers point to a hidden mental barrier: an “all-or-nothing” approach to exercise. People who fail to maintain routines often believe a workout must be long, intense and done exactly as planned. If they cannot complete 45 to 60 minutes, sweat enough or stick to a fixed schedule, they choose to skip it entirely.Breast cancer incidence in India more than doubled in 3 decades 05/03/2026The Global Burden of Disease Study Breast Cancer Collaborators, published in ‘The Lancet Oncology', said the incidence rate in India climbed from 13 per 1 lakh women in 1990 to 29.4 per 1 lakh in 2023. In the same period, the age-standardised mortality rate increased from 8.9 to 15.5, marking a 74% rise in breast […]India ranks second globally for childhood obesity, 41 million children affected 05/03/2026In 2025, nearly 14.9 million Indian children aged 5–9 years and over 26.4 million adolescents aged 10–19 were living with overweight or obesity. The country ranks second only to China in total numbers, with 41 million school-age children (5–19 years) living with high BMI and 14 million living with obesity alone, the report titled World […]5-year-old can hear again, thanks to rare implant at AIIMS 03/03/2026The procedure, reserved for rare cases, was undertaken after doctors found that the damage to his auditory nerves couldn't be fixed by a conventional cochlear implant. An auditory brain stem implant bypasses the damaged nerve and directly stimulates the hearing centres in the brain. Pharma & Health NewsYour weight-loss drugs set to become cheaper 28/02/2026India's anti-obesity market is set for a price revolution as multiple pharmaceutical companies prepare to launch affordable generic versions of blockbuster weight-loss drugs Wegovy and Ozempic following patent expiry. With over six players entering the market on day one, prices are expected to drop significantly, potentially halving the monthly cost for patients and widening access […]UK drugs giant AstraZeneca announces $15 bn investment in China 29/01/2026China is AstraZeneca's second-largest market after the United States, where the company has recently invested heavily under pressure from President Donald Trump.Yellow Fertility partners CARE IVF to expand presence in east, northeast India 14/01/2026The initiative is aimed at improving access to affordable in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) and assisted reproductive technology (ART) services, particularly in areas where patients often need to travel long distances for treatment.Novo Nordisk's US public affairs head leaves company, memo shows 06/01/2026The departure, previously unreported, sees U.S. public affairs head Jennifer Duck leave the firm. It follows a major global restructuring under CEO Mike Doustdar that includes cutting 9,000 jobs across departments and regions. One source said the memo was sent to staff late last week.Health push makes nutraceuticals India’s fastest-growing consumer segment, says Earthful 24/12/2025The company that sells nutrition supplements, is starting a community initiative focused on menopause awareness, offering stipends to women over 40 to lead conversations at the local and digital level.Alzheimer's drug hunt learns from cancer fight's multi-target playbook 12/12/2025Blood and genetic tests to accurately identify biomarkers of the disease are becoming available, but most diagnoses require a spinal tap or expensive PET scan. Not all patients are likely to benefit equally from anti-amyloid treatments.What Holds the Future of Pharma in the Middle East? 01/12/2025At the Economic Times Healthcare Leaders Summit Middle East 2025, pharmaceutical experts examined the shifting dynamics of the region’s drug market, discussing emerging trends, regulatory developments, and challenges that will shape the sector’s next phase of growth.What’s powering Mounjaro’s rise to the top of Indian drug market 04/11/2025Top officials and industry insiders attribute this ascent to a flurry of reasons – from the US drug maker’s shrewd marketing strategy and smart brand positioning as a weight-loss drug first to superior patient experience with faster and higher weight-loss efficacy and precise timing.Lilly partners with Nvidia on AI supercomputer to speed up drug development 29/10/2025Using the supercomputer, scientists at Lilly will be able to train AI models on millions of experiments to test potential medicines, expanding the scope of drug discovery efforts, the company said.Trump administration plans new probe into global drug pricing 22/10/2025The imminent investigation would consider whether U.S. trading partners are underpaying for drugs, the report said, adding that the investigation would come under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974.HC bins Roche's injunction plea, allows generic version of only drug for SMA 11/10/2025Govt's one-time aid of Rs 50 lakh for patients of rare diseases was not enough to cover even a year's treatment using Roche's patented version of Risdiplam, but at Natco's price for the generic version of the drug, treatment cost could be covered for 10-16 years.CDSCO to inspect cough syrup manufacturing units 10/10/2025The WHO has, meanwhile, expressed concern regarding the regulatory gap in diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol screening for domestically marketed medicines in India.US FDA approves first treatment for rare, life-threatening disease in males 20/09/2025According to a study on the National Institutes of Health's website, as of 2020, an estimated 230 to 250 males were identified with Barth syndrome worldwide.4 dead in gas leak at pharma firm 23/08/2025Chief of Palghar district disaster management cell, Vivekanand Kadam, said that between 2.30 pm and 3 pm, gas leaked from the nitrogen reaction tank at the pharma company, seriously affecting six persons working thereUS FDA approves Gilead's twice-yearly injection for HIV prevention 19/06/2025Lenacapavir, part of a class of drugs known as capsid inhibitors, proved nearly 100% effective at preventing HIV in large trials last year, raising new hope of interrupting transmission of the virus that infects 1.3 million people a year.Weight-loss surgery more effective than drugs in real world study 18/06/2025Semaglutide is the main ingredient in Novo Nordisk's Wegovy and Ozempic, while tirzepatide is the main ingredient in Eli Lilly's Zepbound and Mounjaro.Trump administration proposes cutting FDA budget by 5.5% 25/05/2025The proposed budget requested $93.8 billion for the Department of Health and Human Services - a cut of $33.3 billion, or 26.2% - from this year's budget of $127 billion, but did not mention the FDA. Makary's comments on Thursday were the first official outlining of the agency's 2026 budget request.Vertex misses quarterly results on weaker-than-expected demand for cystic fibrosis drug 06/05/2025In the first quarter ended March 31, sales of the company's older CF treatment, Trikafta, rose 2% to $2.53 billion but missed analysts' average expectation of $2.58 billion, according to LSEG data.Pharma companies must file compliance strategy 13/02/2025Small and medium manufacturers with turnover of less than ₹250 crore may seek extension of the timeline by submitting a plan of upgradation within three months from now, the drug regulatory authority said in a notification issued on Tuesday.Eylea offers equivalent efficacy with fewer injections for wet AMD, DME management: Dr Ashish Gawde 18/10/2024The most pressing challenges include the financial and emotional burdens associated with frequent, long-term treatments for conditions such as Diabetic Macular Edema (DME) and Wet Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD). WHO newsChile becomes the first country in the Americas to be verified by WHO for the elimination of leprosy 04/03/2026The World Health Organization (WHO), together with the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), congratulates Chile for becoming the first country in the Americas – and the second globally – to be officially verified as having eliminated leprosy disease.Recommendations for influenza vaccine composition for the 2026-2027 northern hemisphere season 27/02/2026The World Health Organization (WHO) today announced recommendations for the viral composition of influenza (or “flu”) vaccines for the 2026-2027 northern hemisphere influenza season. The announcement was made following a 4-day consultation examining global influenza surveillance data.Denmark becomes first country in the European Union to eliminate mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis 26/02/2026The World Health Organization (WHO) has certified Denmark for the elimination of mother-to-child transmission (EMTCT) of HIV and syphilis, recognizing the country's sustained commitment to ensuring every child is born free of these infections.WHO Director-General visits Jordan to recognize strong collaboration on health system delivery, emergency relief and advancing mental health 25/02/2026The Director-General of the World Health Organization, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, today concluded the first day of his two-day State visit to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, underscoring the strong partnership between WHO and Jordan across the areas of universal health coverage (UHC), mental health and humanitarian health action.Attacks on Ukraine’s health care increased by 20% in 2025 23/02/2026As Ukraine enters the fifth year of full-scale war, its people have endured the highest number of attacks on their health care in 2025 – increasing by nearly 20% compared to 2024.Since the beginning of the full-scale war on 24 February 2022, WHO has documented at least 2881 attacks on health care in Ukraine, affecting […]WHO validates elimination of trachoma as a public health problem in Libya 18/02/2026WHO today announced that Libya has eliminated trachoma as a public health problem, a landmark victory for public health in WHO’s Eastern Mediterranean Region. This hard-won achievement protects future generations from preventable blindness and provides a powerful reminder that countries can overcome neglected tropical diseases despite persisting challenges.Global commitment on display as countries negotiate key annex to the Pandemic Agreement 17/02/2026Member States of the World Health Organization (WHO) concluded a weeklong round of negotiations on draft annex for Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing (PABS) – a key component of the WHO Pandemic Agreement. The fifth meeting of the Intergovernmental Working Group on the WHO Pandemic Agreement (IGWG) – set up by the World Health Assembly […]Statement on the planned hepatitis B birth dose vaccine trial in Guinea-Bissau 13/02/2026WHO statement on a planned hepatitis B birth dose vaccine trial in Guinea-Bissau.One in two people facing cataract blindness need access to life-changing surgery 10/02/2026The World Health Organization (WHO) is urging countries to accelerate efforts to ensure that millions of people living with cataract can access simple, sight‑restoring surgery – one of the most effective and affordable interventions to prevent avoidable blindness.Over four million girls still at risk of female genital mutilation: UN leaders call for sustained commitment and investment to end FGM 05/02/2026Joint statement by the UNFPA Executive Director, UNICEF Executive Director, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, UN Women Executive Director, WHO Director-General, and UNESCO Director-General on the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation In 2026 alone, an estimated 4.5 million girls – many under the age of five – are at risk of undergoing […]
