Pharma & Health News Top Stories Today – HealthAIIMS Gets Rs 30Cr Nod For Biosafety Level Three Lab 26/10/2026The laboratory is expected to become operational in about a year. “Space had already been earmarked for the facility and the sanctioned amount would be used for developing its infrastructure,” AIIMS executive director Prashant Joshi said. Manpower and equipment would be funded through separate budgets.One in four tribal adults in Odisha has impaired kidney function: ICMR study 25/10/2026Published in the Oct 2026 issue of the Indian Journal of Medical Research, the study analysed health data of 19,703 adults from 53 tribal communities across 14 tribal-dominated districts of Odisha.‘VIP culture’ in hospitals can compromise patient safety, equitable care: AIIMS doctors 25/10/2026In an opinion paper published in Oncology Reviews, surgical oncologists Prof. M D Ray and his MCh student Dr Hema Siri Kottu describe how pressure from influential patients, their families and hospital management can lead to unnecessary investigations, surgery before adequate preparation and prolonged intensive care stays.Mid-career professionals drive healthcare GCC hiring in 2026: Report 24/10/2026Staffing and workforce solutions firm Quess Corp, in its India Healthcare GCC Outlook 2026 report, said the sector is projected to generate 67,000 job openings in 2026, with nearly 93 per cent of demand concentrated among professionals with 3-12 years of experience, reflecting a growing preference for specialised, mid-career talent.Maharashtra moves HC against central food safety regulations; says these usurp state govt’s powers 24/10/2026The petition, filed through the state commissioner of food safety, said the aim of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 was to decentralise food regulation. Earlier, enforcement of the Act was through the state commissioner of food safety and designated officers, it pointed out.Centre directs states to enforce ban on reuse of single-use medical devices 23/10/2026The move comes after the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) found that certain private and corporate hospitals were sterilising such products and using them on more than one patient, despite their being designated for single use only.Centre flags data gap, regulatory hurdles in curbing hospital mark-ups 23/10/2026The Union govt has told the SC in its affidavit that margins on hospital consumables can range from 100% to 1,000% or more, highlighting concerns over the high mark-ups patients often face on supplies used during treatment. However, a senior official told TOI that the govt does not have the data needed to assess margins […]Microsoft develops AI tool that can diagnose 'sequentially' like a doctor 23/10/2026The model identifies and coordinates the questions that should be asked of a patient, as well as the exams and tests that should be ordered, using an "orchestrator" that organizes how AI will tackle a problem by employing a simulated panel of clinical experts collaborating to solve diagnostic cases, according to the report.TN conducting India's first dengue vaccine pilot study, says Minister Arunraj 22/10/2026Speaking to reporters at the sidelines of a workshop on child development here, he said the vaccine is currently part of Brazil's immunisation schedule.Stricter diagnostic lab rules for CGHS fuel double standards charge 22/10/2026Under the Clinical Establishment Rules, laboratories are divided into three categories - basic composite, medium and advanced. The standards prescribe the scope of services, infrastructure, equipment, human resources, record maintenance and other operational requirements for each category. 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 technical package to help countries improve health data for COVID-19 response and beyond 10/10/2026Today, as part of its commitment to strengthening health information systems and improving health[1], especially in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, WHO announced a new approach to improving access to life-saving data: the SCORE for Health Data Technical Package. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the urgent need for timely and reliable data to drive […]WHO statement on notification of withdrawal of the United States 24/01/2026WHO regrets the United States’ notification of withdrawal from WHO – a decision that makes both the United States and the world less safe. The notification of withdrawal raises issues that will be considered by the WHO Executive Board at its regular meeting starting on 2 February and by the World Health Assembly at its […]Timor-Leste certified malaria-free by WHO 23/07/2025The World Health Organization (WHO) has certified Timor-Leste as malaria-free, a remarkable achievement for a country that prioritized the disease and embarked on a concerted, nation-wide response shortly after gaining independence in 2002.“WHO congratulates the people and government of Timor-Leste on this significant milestone,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “Timor-Leste’s success proves that […]African Union and World Health Organization renew strategic partnership to drive impact and strengthen health systems in Africa 24/05/2025The World Health Organization (WHO) and the African Union (AU) Commission renewed their longstanding strategic partnership today with the signing of an updated Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the sidelines of the 78th World Health Assembly in Geneva. This renewed agreement reaffirms the joint commitment to advancing health security, universal health coverage, and sustainable development […]Strengthening public health across Lebanon with EIB Global 01/04/2025Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), and Thomas Östros, Vice-President of the European Investment Bank (EIB Global), met at the EIB Group Forum in Luxembourg and signed an agreement for a €10 million grant to strengthen public health across Lebanon. The initiative will re-establish Lebanon's Central Public Health Laboratory and […]Frank, in-depth discussion as Belgium and WHO map ahead priorities for collaboration 11/03/2025In a three-day strategic dialogue, Belgium and WHO reviewed progress in their longstanding partnership, and agreed to further boost their collaboration on universal health coverage, health-systems strengthening and equitable access to essential vaccines, medicines and health technologies. The Belgian delegation – headed by H.E. Christophe Payot, Ambassador of Belgium to the United Nations and other […]WHO and Switzerland cement cooperation until 2028 07/03/2025WHO and Switzerland have announced the renewal of their cooperation strategy for the period 2024-2028. In 2013, Switzerland became the first high-income country in the WHO European Region to pilot a cooperation strategy with WHO (hereafter referred to as the WHO-Switzerland Cooperation Strategy). In 2022, WHO and Switzerland jointly decided to update and renew this […]WHO and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia sign agreements in support of health priorities 06/03/2025The Riyadh International Humanitarian Forum 2025 was a significant event that underscored the continued partnership between WHO and KSrelief, as well as with other international partners to address critical humanitarian health crises. The agreements made during the forum are pivotal in combating diseases like malaria, cholera, and polio, and ensuring better healthcare for displaced populations. […]Signing ceremony for contribution agreements between WHO and France 17/10/2024Geneva 17 October 2024 – This afternoon, His Excellency Mr Jérôme Bonnafont, Permanent Representative of France to the United Nations in Geneva, and WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus met in the WHO headquarters for the signing of seven contribution agreements.The contribution totalling €24 million comes through the Ministry of Europe & Foreign Affairs. It […]WHO and the Netherlands renew their partnership on climate change and health 10/10/2024The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Kingdom of the Netherlands have renewed their strategic partnership in addressing the growing impacts of climate change on global health.The Netherlands is providing a new allocation of €500 000 for 2024 to WHO, reinforcing its commitment to climate resilience and sustainable healthcare systems worldwide. This allocation supports WHO’s […]
