Pharma & Health News Top Stories Today – HealthUp to 45% of dementia risk can be prevented, delayed: WHO 16/07/2026While there is no cure for dementia, up to 45 percent of the risks can be attributed to modifiable risk factors such as tobacco, alcohol use, social isolation, physical inactivity, air pollution and noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), including high blood pressure and diabetes, the WHO said in a statement.3D-printed contact lenses show promise in early experiments 16/07/2026The lenses have so far been tested only in lab experiments. The researchers have filed a provisional patent for their hydrophilic silicone material and are preparing to test the lenses in actual eyes.India-UK FTA: MedTech Industry seeks curbs on third country rerouting 16/07/2026Medical device makers expect the agreement to improve access and expand trade with provision for mutual recognition of the two countries' regulatory approvals. Meanwhile, domestic manufacturers are seeking safeguards to prevent trade diversion through third countries.India among global hotspots for climate-related sleep loss: Report 16/07/2026Globally, an average person lost nearly 56 hours of sleep each year due to nighttime heat between 2020 and 2025. That is equivalent to nearly seven nights' sleep lost each year due to higher nighttime temperatures, including about one night linked to climate change. The report pointed out that an estimated six hours of the […]FSSAI crackdown serves food for thought as packaged food makers seek clearer rules 15/07/2026In a bid to strengthen consumer protection, India's food regulatory body is intensifying efforts against packaged food companies. The lack of clarity around definitions and guidelines for emerging ingredients poses a pressing concern. Executives from the sector are urging the need for revised definitions and clearer regulations. To meet these demands, the authority has restructured […]Air pollution worsened Mum's Covid toll, finds national study 15/07/2026Globally, Covid-19 infected about 770 million people and claimed nearly 70 lakh lives, while India reported around 4.5 crore confirmed cases and over 5.3 lakh deaths till Dec 2024.Poor muscle health could increase likelihood of developing diabetes: Study 15/07/2026People with sarcopenic obesity, the coexistence of excess body fat (obesity) and a loss of skeletal muscle mass and function (sarcopenia), were 19 per cent more likely to develop type 2 diabetes than people with obesity alone and 91 per cent more likely to develop the condition than those with sarcopenia alone, findings published in […]High temperatures exposure during early life linked with slower growth of brain's thalamus: Study 14/07/2026Findings published in the journal Environment International suggest that heat exposure during one's earliest stages of life may have lasting effects on brain development.PIL in Delhi HC seeks immediate operationalisation of Rs 400-cr block at RML 14/07/2026The petition alleges that the delay has resulted in continued non-utilisation of healthcare infrastructure created from taxpayers' money, even as public hospitals continue to face overcrowding, shortage of beds and increasing demand for specialised treatment.PE firms in talks to buy up to 25% stake in Agappe Diagnostics 14/07/2026The proposed deal would comprise a secondary sale by existing investors and a primary infusion of capital, totalling ₹700-750 crore, the people said. It is likely to value Kochi-headquartered Agappe, counted among India's top in-vitro diagnostics (IVD) firms, at ₹3,000-3,200 crore, they said. Alvarez & Marsal is advising the promoters on the stake sale. Pharma & Health NewsChemo drug supply crisis hits cancer care 05/06/2026Hospitals are reporting dwindling stocks, while patients and their families are being forced to hunt for pharmacies and distributors which have the drugs with them.Your 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. WHO newsNew WHO guidelines: up to 45% of dementia risk could be prevented or delayed 15/07/2026The World Health Organization (WHO) today released updated guidelines on reducing the risk of cognitive decline and dementia, providing countries with evidence-based recommendations to help prevent or delay the onset of dementia across the life course. Dementia is a condition caused by brain diseases and affects memory, thinking and the ability to function. More than […]Global childhood immunization coverage inches forward despite conflict and hesitancy – UNICEF, WHO 15/07/2026In 2025, 90% of infants globally – or nearly 116 million – received at least one dose of a diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (DTP) vaccine, and 85% – or 110 million – completed the full three-dose series, according to the annual WHO-UNICEF Estimates of National Immunization Coverage (WUENIC) released today. While both indicators rose by one […]El Salvador validated by WHO as having eliminated trachoma as a public health problem 13/07/2026The World Health Organization (WHO) has validated El Salvador as having eliminated trachoma as a public health problem. Trachoma is the world's leading infectious cause of blindness.WHO calls for urgent action as new cancer cases are projected to nearly double by 2050 08/07/2026Millions of people are facing physical, emotional and financial toll of cancer, a disease that claims more than 26 000 lives every day, according to a report released today by the World Health Organization (WHO). With an estimated 20.6 million new cases and close to 10 million deaths annually, cancer remains the second leading cause […]WHO adds first diagnostic test for Ebola Bundibugyo virus to its Emergency Use Listing 02/07/2026Today, the World Health Organization (WHO) has added the first molecular diagnostic test for Bundibugyo virus (BDBV) to its Emergency Use Listing (EUL). The test detects the virus by identifying its genetic material in blood samples, helping confirm infection rapidly and accurately.WHO’s EUL procedure assesses the quality, safety and performance of essential health products based […]Patient enrolment begins in a scientific trial to identify the first effective treatments for Bundibugyo virus disease 02/07/2026In a major international effort to evaluate potential treatments for Ebola disease due to Bundibugyo virus (BVD), the PARTNERS clinical trial has opened enrolment today for patients in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.655 million people still living without electricity underscore urgent need to deliver on universal energy access target 24/06/2026At a time when energy security and affordability have risen to the top of the development agenda, 655 million people globally still lack access to electricity, and two billion use polluting fuels and technologies for cooking putting their health and well-being at risk.WHO urges scale up of newborn screening to improve early detection and care of birth defects 23/06/2026The World Health Organization (WHO) today calls on countries to expand newborn screening for birth defects, highlighting how early detection and treatment can save lives and reduce lifelong disability for millions of children.A new WHO report, Strengthening capacity for newborn screening, diagnosis and management of birth defects, identifies newborn screening as an important opportunity to […]WHO issues comprehensive guidelines on filovirus disease, including Ebola and Marburg disease 17/06/2026As the Democratic Republic of the Congo is battling an Ebola disease outbreak caused by the Bundibugyo virus, the World Health Organization (WHO) has released its first comprehensive guidelines for the clinical management of filovirus disease which include all types of Ebola and Marburg viruses. The new guidelines highlight the importance of early supportive care […]Open letter to leaders of G7, G20, BRICS and all nations on finalizing the WHO Pandemic Agreement’s Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing annex 15/06/2026Dear Leaders of the G7, the G20, BRICS and of all nations,We write to you together, from Geneva and from Brasília, with one shared conviction: that the world must finish what it started, and that you can help it do so.We begin not with an institution or an annex, but with a memory the whole […]
