Pharma & Health News Top Stories Today – HealthAyushman driving big gains in cancer treatment: Lancet 23/12/2024According to the study published in The Lancet Regional Health - Southeast Asia, which investigated treatment history of 6,695 patients undergoing cancer treatment at seven major hospitals in the country, most received treatment in 20 days. There were few instances of people getting treatment in two months from cancer diagnosis.UP: Over 27 lakh people screened in state government's drive to eliminate TB by 2025 22/12/2024Between December 7 and December 19, under the campaign 27,00,377 individuals have been screened, resulting in the identification of 2,20,520 TB patients. Among these, 49,850 received aid under the Nikshay Poshan Yojana while 1,96,520 received preventive treatments.Health Minister Nadda seeks states' support for TB elimination campaign 22/12/2024Highlighting that the rate of TB decline in India from 2015 to 2024 at 17.7 per cent is double the global average of 8.3 per cent, Nadda said deaths due to TB have reduced significantly in the country by 21.4 per cent in the last 10 years.GST panel puts off call on lower rates for insurance 22/12/2024"The issue of whether charges collected by municipalities for granting FSI, including additional FSI, chargeable to GST on reverse charge basis was brought up in the Council. The matter was deferred for further examination on the behest of the central govt on the grounds that this amount relates to municipalities or local authority," an official […]COVID-19: Vaccine hesitancy worldwide phenomenon, say experts; bat for educating people 22/12/2024"The pandemic has led to a greater trust of government in vaccine manufacturers and it is now open to working with manufacturers. India should create a strong network for clinical trials, which can be used for fast recruitment of patients for trials in a short time," Dr Kang said.Gujarat reports 2,502 COVID-19 cases, 28 deaths; vaccine coverage tops 10 crore 21/12/2024The number of vaccine doses administered in Gujarat so far rose to 10.02 crore after 3.25 lakh more people were inoculated against coronavirus during the day, the department said. The death toll increased to 10,716 after 28 patients succumbed to the infection in the last 24 hours, it said.Paracetamol bottles with ‘blacked out’ labels given to kids at Bengaluru govt hospital 21/12/2024According to several locals who took their children to the hospital, paracetamol syrup bottles given to their wards had labels on which essential information like the manufacturer's name, batch number and licence details had been deliberately blacked out. The children who were given the syrup were said to be in the age group of 5-11 […]Cumulative Covid vaccine doses administered in India crosses 174.99 crore 21/12/2024The countrywide vaccination drive was rolled out on January 16 with healthcare workers getting inoculated in the first phase. The vaccination of frontline workers started from February 2.US hospital operator Ascension says 5.6 million affected in medical data breach in May 21/12/2024Cybercriminals use ransomware to paralyze computer networks and extort a payment, typically in cryptocurrency. Many also steal data for added leverage.Severe air pollution in PoGB causes health risks, low visibility 21/12/2024PoGB is grappling with an electricity shortage, as residents receive only 2-3 hours of electricity per day. With the high cost of LPG gas connections, many are left with no choice but to burn harmful materials for warmth. Skardu TV reported that the government is urged to find sustainable and affordable alternatives to address the […] Pharma & Health NewsEylea 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).TIFR study uses psychedelic drug to trace neuron that can reduce anxiety 06/10/2024A team at the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR) in Mumbai have steered a first-of-its-kind study to come out of India, using a psychedelic to identify a neuron that can activate the ventral hippocampus in the brain—which processes emotional information and regulates stress—in a manner that could alleviate anxiety.ICMR to study efficacy of Metformin, Inositol in PCOS treatment 06/10/2024The ICMR has recently invited expression of interest (EOI): "To undertake a multi-centric randomised controlled trial for evaluating the efficacy of Metformin vs Inositol to improve fertility and birth outcomes among PCOS women".Alembic Pharma gets USFDA nod for generic medication 03/10/2024The approved ANDA is therapeutically equivalent to GlaxoSmithKline LLC's Lamictal XR extended-release tablets in strength of 200 mg, 250 mg, and 300 mg, it added.US CDC warns of overdose risk from fake prescription medicines online 03/10/2024The counterfeit pills sold through illegal internet-based pharmacies frequently contain fentanyl, a synthetic opioid that is the leading cause of drug overdoses in the United States, the health agency said.PM Modi to inaugurate Penicillin-G plant in Andhra Pradesh, reviving India's antibiotic production 22/09/2024The Penicillin-G (Pen-G) facility, located in a SEZ at Kakinada in Andhra Pradesh, has a production capacity of 15,000 tonne per annum and also 1.8 lakh tonne of glucose, while 6-Amino Penicillanic Acid plant has a capacity to produce 3,600 tonne annually, the drug maker had earlier said in a statement.Bone marrow cancer drug shows success in treatment of blood disorder, finds study 20/09/2024The New England Journal of Medicine published the trial results, which show that patients with HHT who were administered the medication, pomalidomide, had a significant decrease in the intensity of nosebleeds, required fewer blood transfusions and iron infusions than HHT frequently requires, and had a better quality of life.US Senator Sanders says generic drugmakers could sell Ozempic for less than $100/month 18/09/2024Novo Nordisk CEO Lars Jorgensen is set to testify before the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP), which Sanders chairs, in a hearing next week focusing on U.S. prices for its widely popular Ozempic and weight-loss drug Wegovy.ICMR partners with industry leaders for groundbreaking First-in-Human Phase-1 clinical trials 14/09/2024ICMR will engage in collaborative research on a small molecule for multiple myeloma with Aurigene Oncology Limited, partner with Indian Immunologicals Limited for the development of a Zika vaccine, coordinate a seasonal influenza virus vaccine trial with Mynvax Private Limited, and advance CAR-T cell therapy for a new indication of chronic lymphocytic leukemia in collaboration […]Fulcrum stock slumps after muscle disorder drug fails in late-stage study 13/09/2024FSHD is a genetic disorder that causes muscle weakness and wasting in the face, shoulder blades and upper arms. The estimated prevalence of the disease is about 4 cases per 100,000 individuals, according to the Muscle Dystrophy Association.Zenas BioPharma raises $225 mln in US IPO 13/09/2024The Waltham, Massachusetts-based company, which was incorporated in 2019, plans to use the IPO proceeds to advance the clinical development of obexelimab and prepare for its potential launch in the United States and Europe, pending approval.Moderna lays out plan to slice research and development spending 13/09/2024Moderna developed the Spikevax COVID-19 vaccine, and regulators approved this year its vaccine for RSV or respiratory syncytial virus. The company also has a combination flu/COVID vaccine and an RSV vaccine for high-risk younger adults that it expects to submit to regulators in 2024.Bavarian Nordic sees potential to ramp up mpox vaccine capacity 13/09/2024 Bavarian Nordic said on Thursday it could supply 13 million doses of its mpox vaccine by the end of 2025, up from a previous forecast of 10 million doses, and is exploring options to significantly expand its capacity.Neurocrine halts development of schizophrenia drug as trial fails 13/09/2024The company said the drug, luvadaxistat, did not replicate the results from a previous mid-stage trial that showed improved cognitive performance, due to a large variability in the cognitive measures across the patients and a potential imbalance in their baseline characteristics.Alkem joins $3 bn race for JB Chem as Torrent pauses talks 13/09/2024After the acquisition, KKR appointed Cipla veteran Nikhil Chopra in October 2020 as JB’s chief executive. He put the Mumbai-based drugmaker on an accelerated growth path, making four acquisitions and investing $200 million in the last four years along with a fresh go to-market strategy involving therapy diversification, raising the productivity of medical representatives, optimising […]Panacea Biotec gets $20 million loan from US government for hexavalent vaccine capacity expansion 13/09/2024Panacea Biotec has secured a $20 million long-term loan from the US International Development Finance Corporation to expand its hexavalent vaccine production. This funding will help the company meet global demand for childhood immunization, supplying vaccines to UN agencies. The hexavalent vaccine, EasySix, protects against six diseases and is expected to see significant demand growth […]Moderna forecasts lower sales next year, shares near four-year low 12/09/2024Its cost savings would include a cut of $1.1 billion from research and development from 2026, with most of the actions in 2027. "I hope you can see...why we're daunted by the commercial challenge of launching all those products really just in the next three years, and that causes us to want to actually start […]Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw calls for innovation-driven value creation in India's biotech sector 12/09/2024Mazumdar-Shaw called for a shift in focus toward value creation through innovation. "India ranks 14th in terms of value in the global pharma landscape. We need to invest in R&D and foster a culture of intellectual property to capture greater value," she said.Eli Lilly invests $1.8 bln in Ireland sites to scale up Alzheimer's, obesity drug production 12/09/2024In the U.S., Lilly quickly built a market share of around 40% since launching Zepbound in December. Analysts believe that as Lilly increases its manufacturing capacity, the market could be roughly split 50-50 between Lilly and Novo Nordisk by the end of this year.US FDA expands J&J's psoriasis drug for inflammatory bowel disease 12/09/2024J&J has been betting on Tremfya, as its other blockbuster drug for psoriasis and ulcerative colitis, Stelara, is looking at a patent cliff - which occurs when a company loses its patent protection, allowing cheaper biosimilars to enter the market. WHO newsRelationality in community engagement: its role in humanizing health and achieving quality integrated health services 20/12/2024A new report, entitled “Relationality in community engagement: its role in humanizing healthcare and achieving quality integrated health Services” has been developed in collaboration with the Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development (QF) and launched at the Seventh edition of the World Innovation Summit for Health (WISH) taking place in Doha on 13–14 […]Lebanon: soaring needs for trauma treatment and rehabilitation 19/12/2024The ceasefire and the cessation of hostilities took effect on 27 November, offering temporary relief for the millions of civilians caught in the conflict in Lebanon. But Lebanon’s suffering did not end amid staggering unmet health needs. Bordering Syria and Israel, Lebanon’s overburdened health system is reeling from the impacts of an economic crisis, political […]President Macron, WHO Director-General, and global health leaders inaugurate WHO Academy in Lyon 17/12/2024The WHO Academy in Lyon, France, officially opened its doors today with a high-profile inauguration ceremony. The Academy aims to tackle the growing global shortage of health and care workers, projected to reach 10 million by 2030, by training thousands of health professionals each year.New WHO report reveals governments deprioritizing health spending 11/12/2024The 2024 Global Heath Expenditure Report by the World Health Organization (WHO) shows that the average per capita government spending on health in all country income groups fell in 2022 from 2021 after a surge in the early pandemic years. The report entitled, “Global spending on health Emerging from the pandemic” has been published in […]Over 1 in 5 adults worldwide has a genital herpes infection – WHO 09/12/2024Around 846 million people aged between 15 and 49 are living with genital herpes infections – more than 1 in 5 of this age-group globally – according to new estimates released today. At least 1 person each second – 42 million people annually – is estimated to acquire a new genital herpes infection.Most of the […]Reinvigorated global efforts needed to curb rising malaria threat 06/12/2024New data from the World Health Organization (WHO) reveal that an estimated 2.2 billion cases of malaria and 12.7 million deaths have been averted since 2000, but the disease remains a serious global health threat, particularly in the WHO African Region.Drowning deaths decline globally but the most vulnerable remain at risk 06/12/2024WHO publishes its first-ever report on drowning prevention, which reveals a 38% drop in the global drowning death rate since 2000—a major global health achievement. However, the report notes that drowning remains a major public health issue.WHO announces first prequalification of a tuberculosis diagnostic test 04/12/2024The World Health Organization (WHO) has granted prequalification to the molecular diagnostic test for tuberculosis (TB) called Xpert® MTB/RIF Ultra. It is the first test for TB diagnosis and antibiotic susceptibility testing that meets WHO's prequalification standards. Tuberculosis is one of the world’s leading infectious disease killers, causing over a million deaths annually and imposing […]New report highlights need for sustained investment in infection prevention and control programmes 29/11/2024A large proportion of healthcare-associated infections can be prevented with improved IPC practices and basic water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services. This report provides a baseline assessment for policymakers, IPC professionals, health-care workers and stakeholders to guide action.Second meeting of the International Health Regulations (2005) Emergency Committee regarding the upsurge of mpox 2024 28/11/2024The Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO) is hereby transmitting the report of the second meeting of the International Health Regulations (2005) (IHR) Emergency Committee (Committee) regarding the upsurge of mpox 2024, held on Friday 22 November 2024, from 12:00 to 17:00 CET.Notwithstanding some progress towards controlling the spread of mpox resulting from national […]
