Pharma & Health News Top Stories Today – HealthBangladesh eradicates kala-azar, India on track too but challenges remain 05/12/2023Bangladesh recently achieved a major public health goal when it eradicated visceral leishmaniasis, commonly known as kala-azar, raising the question of when India would wipe out the debilitating, often fatal, parasitic disease - the fight very much on but far from complete. Challenges in sustaining the momentum of the fight persist, particularly in tackling post-disease […]Max Healthcare launches CAR-T cell therapy in collaboration with ImmunoACT 05/12/2023Also known as a ‘living drug’, this therapy provides enduring benefits and is recommended for those not able to undergo a stem cell transplant or post-transplant relapse. Compared to conventional therapies, this requires a brief, single-infusion treatment, enhancing the quality of life for many patients with an average of two weeks of in-patient care.France puts country on 'high' alert for bird flu 05/12/2023France raised the risk level of bird flu to 'high' from 'moderate' on Tuesday after the detection of new cases of the disease, forcing poultry farms to keep birds indoors to stem the spread of the highly contagious virus. The decision, taken by the agriculture ministry, was published in the Official Journal on Tuesday.Rise in non-communicable diseases among children in India is a huge concern 05/12/2023The rate of incidence of NCDs has more than doubled among children between 5 - 17 years of age over the past decade, an age group where there should ‘technically and historically’ not be a growing impact of lifestyle diseases,” data shared by Apollo Hospitals has found.Top city hospital part of kidney racket: UK daily 05/12/2023The London-based publication 'The Telegraph' has sparked a controversy by claiming that Apollo Hospital in Delhi has been involved in the illicit purchase of kidneys for wealthy patients in Myanmar from impoverished people. According to the daily, a broker in Myanmar informed its reporter that "it's big business" even though paying for organs is prohibited […]India's Bioeconomy to touch $ 300 Billion by 2030: Union Minister Jitendra Singh 04/12/2023India’s bioeconomy witnessed a double-digit growth rate year-on-year in the last 9 to ten years. The world is looking up to India as an emerging biomanufacturing hub. Biotechnology startups and institutional linkages with industry will drive India’s bioeconomy in the years to come, stated Dr Singh at the 3rd edition of the Global Bio-India summit.Radiation treatment could be used to treat heart failure: Study 04/12/2023The research team discovered that low-dose radiation therapy appears to enhance heart function in various forms of heart failure after analysing the cardiac effects of radiation in a small number of these individuals and modelling the effects of low-dose radiation in mice with heart failure.Roche joins race for obesity drugs with $2.7 bln Carmot deal 04/12/2023After encouraging Phase I trial results, the drug is ready to be tested on humans in the second of three trial stages, Roche added in a statement on Monday.Being overweight hampers body's immune response to COVID infection: Study 04/12/2023Being overweight can impair the body's antibody response to SARS-CoV-2 infection but not to the protection offered by COVID-19 vaccination, according to a study. The finding, published in the journal Clinical & Translational Immunology, builds on the team's existing research on how COVID-19 affects people who are overweight.'10% hosps in India could shut by 2100 due to climate change' 04/12/2023A global study released at the United Nations Climate Change Conference reveals that 10% of hospitals in India may have to relocate or shut down due to climate change by 2100. The 'XDI Global Hospital Infrastructure Physical Climate Risk Report' predicts that Nepal will also be heavily affected, with 26% of hospitals facing closure. The […] Pharma & Health NewsAkums acquires new formulation facility in Baddi, Himachal Pradesh 05/12/2023The newly acquired facility, sprawling across approximately six acres, is currently undergoing upgrades and is slated to become operational in the year 2024. Once operational, it will serve as an OSD pharmaceutical formulation facility, significantly enhancing the company’s tablet manufacturing capacity.AstraZeneca, AI biologics firm Absci tie up on cancer drug 03/12/2023The collaboration aims to harness Absci's AI technology for large-scale protein analysis to find a viable oncology therapy, a leading focus of AstraZeneca, the report said. It did not say what kind of cancer they plan to target.IHH Healthcare seeks acquisitions in Indonesia, Vietnam; eyes turnaround in China 01/12/2023IHH Healthcare, an operator of private hospitals in Asia, is looking for acquisitions in new markets such as Indonesia and Vietnam, its top executive said. It is also looking to expand in markets where it already has a presence such as India and Turkey, and to turn around underperforming assets in China.Zydus gets USFDA final approval for Ivabradine tablets, 5 mg and 7.5 mg 01/12/2023Ivabradine is indicated to reduce the risk of hospitalisation for worsening heart failure in adult patients with stable, symptomatic chronic heart failure with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction.It is also used in children aged six months and older for the treatment of stable symptomatic heart failure due to cardiomyopathy.Aurobindo Pharma gets USFDA nod for HIV drug 30/11/2023The company has received final approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) to manufacture and market Darunavir tablets in strengths of 600 mg and 800 mg, the Hyderabad-based drug maker said in a regulatory filingIndian Immunologicals Ltd commemorates 25 yrs of Human Biologicals Institute, announces new vaccines 26/11/2023HBI launched MebellaM - its Measles Rubella (MR) Vaccine and announced that Havisure - India's first indigenous Hepatitis A Vaccine, is scheduled for launch by March 2024.Lupin receives US FDA approval for pitavastatin tablets 21/11/2023Pitavastatin tablets are indicated as an adjunct to diet to reduce low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in: Adults with primary hyperlipidemia; Adults and paediatric patients aged 8 years and older with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HeFH).COVID vaccines did not increase sudden death risk among young Indian adults: ICMR study 21/11/2023The study by Indian Council of Medical Research(ICMR) was conducted through the participation of 47 tertiary care hospitals across India. Cases were apparently healthy individuals aged 18-45 years without any known co-morbidity, who suddenly died of unexplained causes during October 2021-March 2023.Lead level in city kids much higher than prescribed limits 21/11/2023A recent study conducted by King George's Medical University in Lucknow has found that children in the city are being exposed to levels of lead four times higher than the permissible limit. The study, which covered 60 urban schools across 10 districts in India, revealed that Lucknow ranks second in blood lead levels among the […]Health Sec issues Air Pollution Advisory to Chief Sec of States/UTs 10/11/2023The Health Secretary shared an updated advisory with information on the subject and directives to the state health authorities for the dissemination of awareness about air pollution and its implications on the health of the citizens. These guidelines are issued with the hope that state authorities will implement policies to actively strengthen the health systems […]IIT Guwahati researchers discover use of modified graphene oxide in biomedical applications 08/11/2023Graphene is an exceptionally strong material and possesses outstanding electrical and thermal conductivity. Its oxidised form, called Graphene Oxide (GO), offers a large surface area and low cytotoxicity, making it suitable for medical applications. GO can be further engineered through defects, doping and functional modifications, which enhance its optical and electrical properties for improved biomedical […]Glenmark receives ANDA approval for fluphenazine hydrochloride tablets 07/11/2023According to IQVIA sales data for the 12‐month period ending in September 2023, the market for Prolixin Tablets, 1 mg, 2.5 mg, 5 mg, and 10 mg, achieved approximately $18.1 million in annual sales.India on track to become a top 5 Global Bio-manufacturing hub by 2025: Union Minister Jitendra Singh 05/11/2023According to a press release by the Ministry of Science and Technology, emphasising the remarkable growth of India's bioeconomy in recent years, Singh outlined the nation's potential to play a crucial role in global trade and the bio-economy, contributing significantly to the Indian economy.The Draft Patents Amendment Rules 2023 impact on Indian pharma sector 04/11/2023India's patent laws are unique, featuring stringent criteria for patentability, particularly for secondary patents. To secure approval, these patents must demonstrate a significant therapeutic improvement. This distinctive approach has effectively deterred evergreening practices by pharmaceutical companies, aligning with India's dedication to public health and affordable blockbuster medicines.Meningococcal vaccine market to see big changes with launch of Pfizer’s Penbraya: GlobalData 03/11/2023Reportedly, the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunisation Practices (ACIP) has also recommended administering Penbraya when both meningococcal groups A, C, W and Y (MenACWY) and meningococcal group B (MenB) vaccines are indicated at the same visit for healthy patients ages 16 to 23 years and patients ages 10 years […]Moderna revenue tops expectations, expects to return to sales growth in 2025 02/11/2023The Cambridge, Massachusetts-based company said it expected $4 billion in revenue next year from sales of its COVID-19 shot, called Spikevax, and its respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine, which is not yet approved but expected to launch in 2024 based on positive data from a late-stage trial.Lupin gets tentative USFDA nod for Selexipag injection 02/11/2023This approval allows the company to enter the market with a generic equivalent of Uptravi® for injection, which is originally produced by Actelion Pharmaceuticals US, Inc. Notably, the manufacturing of this generic product will take place at Lupin's facility located in Nagpur, India.UK regulator approves Pfizer's hair loss drug 01/11/2023The drug, branded as Litfulo, has been approved by UK's Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) for people aged 12 years and older suffering from severe alopecia areata.Zydus Lifesciences acquires UK-based LiqMeds 31/10/2023Zydus will provide an initial payment of GBP 68 million, with additional annual earn-outs until 2026 contingent upon the achievement of predefined milestones related to the acquisition of the LiqMeds Group of companies. The transaction is expected to enhance Zydus' earnings per share (EPS) starting from the first year following the acquisition.Goa: Pharma firm gets nod to hire women for 7pm-6am shift 29/10/2023In June 2017, industry bodies, including pharmaceutical entities, wrote to the government seeking approval for women to work beyond 7pm in the manufacturing sector. In August 2019, the government passed the Goa Factories (Amendment) Bill, which allows women to work the night shift. WHO newsWHO calls for access to health and humanitarian assistance on fourth day of conflict in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory 10/10/2023The World Health Organization (WHO) repeats its call for an end to the hostilities that are causing untold suffering in Israel and the Gaza Strip. Over 1000 people have died and many more injured following horrific acts of violence by Hamas and others on Saturday in Israel. Nine hundred people have died and many more […]New funding to ensure 370 million children receive polio vaccinations and to boost health innovation in low-income countries 10/10/2023Today, the European Commission, the European Investment Bank and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation announced a new financing partnership to address critical global health opportunities: eradicating polio and ensuring that innovations in health are more accessible to the people who need them most.WHO issues global plan to tackle leading cause of death in childbirth 10/10/2023WHO today released its first roadmap to tackle postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) – defined as excessive bleeding after childbirth - which affects millions of women annually and is the world’s leading cause of maternal deaths.WHO-OHCHR launch new guidance to improve laws addressing human rights abuses in mental health care 09/10/2023Ahead of World Mental Health Day, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Office of the High Commissioner on Human Rights (OHCHR) are jointly launching a new guidance, entitled “Mental health, human rights and legislation: guidance and practice”, to support countries to reform legislation in order to end human rights abuses and increase access to […]WHO commends Egypt for its progress on the path to eliminate hepatitis C 09/10/2023The Arab Republic of Egypt has become the first country to achieve the "gold tier” status on the path to elimination of hepatitis C as per WHO criteria. This means that Egypt has fulfilled WHO's programmatic coverage targets that will set the country up to achieve the reduced incidence and mortality targets of full elimination […]Governments make progress towards agreeing amendments to the International Health Regulations (2005) 07/10/2023Progress was made this week on many of the over-300 proposed amendments to the International Health Regulations 2005 (IHR). In this fifth round of intensive discussions, taking place under the aegis of the Working Group on Amendments to the IHR (WGIHR) – which includes the 196 States Parties to the IHR, the European Union and the […]WHO recommends R21/Matrix-M vaccine for malaria prevention in updated advice on immunization 02/10/2023 The World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended a new vaccine, R21/Matrix-M, for the prevention of malaria in children. The recommendation follows advice from the WHO: Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization (SAGE) and the Malaria Policy Advisory Group (MPAG) and was endorsed by the WHO Director-General following its regular biannual meeting held on 25-29 […]WHO, WADA sign memorandum of understanding to collaborate on clean, drug-free sport 02/10/2023The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and WHO have signed a four-year memorandum of understanding (MOU) to allow experts from both international organizations to collaborate and share information on issues where anti-doping and public health intersect.Recommended composition of influenza virus vaccines for use in the 2024 southern hemisphere influenza season 29/09/2023 The World Health Organization (WHO) today announced the recommendations for the viral composition of influenza vaccines for the 2024 influenza season in the southern hemisphere. The announcement was made at an information session at the end of a 4-day meeting on the Composition of Influenza Virus Vaccines, a meeting that is held twice annually. WHO organizes these consultations […]Top donor Germany signs major contribution to WHO for health emergencies; signs host agreement for WHO pandemic hub 28/09/2023Germany deepened its longstanding engagement with WHO on Thursday with two new agreements: one to contribute a further €40 million to WHO’s work in health emergencies, and a second to host the Berlin-based WHO Hub for Pandemic and Epidemic Intelligence.With the new contribution, Germany has provided €53.5 million so far this year to support WHO’s […]
