Pharma & Health News Top Stories Today – HealthEconomic Survey 2023-24: Standardising Guidelines and Bridging Psychiatrist Deficit Can Fix Gaps in Mental Healthcare in India 22/07/2024The Economic Survey 2023-24 tabled by Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman laid a focus on the increase in mental health issues in India and outlined for several key policy changes such as achieving WHO benchmarks over the number of psychiatrists per lakh population in the country; Developing comprehensive guidelines for the excellence centers; Standardisation of guidelines […]Primary healthcare expenditure increased from 51.3 per cent of GHE in FY15 to 55.9 per cent of GHE in FY20: Eco Survey 22/07/2024he survey also notes a significant increase in the social security expenditure on health, which grew from 5.7 per cent in FY15 to 9.3 per cent in FY20. There was also a decline in out-of-pocket expenditure (OOPE) as a percentage of total health expenditure (THE) between FY15 and FY20.Indian Pharmaceutical market valued at $ 50 billion: Eco Survey 22/07/2024The Economic Survey 2023-2024 tabled by Government states that the Indian pharmaceutical market is currently valued at USD 50 billion and out of top 20 global generic companies eight are based in India and more than 300 AMRIT (Affordable Medicines and Reliable Implants for Treatment) pharmacies are operating in different States/UTsUN says 2024 decisive to ending AIDS as health threat 22/07/2024Access to antiretroviral medication is a major issue, with 30.7 million patients receiving such treatment compared to just 7.7 million in 2010. But the figure falls far short of a target of 34 million set for 2025.12 lakh excess deaths in Covid year, reveals report; govt says methodology flawed 22/07/2024The paper stated that the increase in all-cause mortality in 2020 could be due to deteriorating economic conditions and pandemic disruptions to public health services such as childhood immunizations, tuberculosis treatment, and hospital births identified in earlier research papers. Health ministry argued that SRS data in 2020 showed very little, if any, excess mortality compared […]Gastric ailment drug can cause Parkinson's-like symptoms: Doctors 22/07/2024They made this observation after treating an 80-year-old woman who was brought into the emergency ward with severe weakness and rigidity. After tests, they realised that the woman had been prescribed Levosulpiride for gastric problems a long time ago and continued taking the medicines.Centre to deploy team to support Kerala in probing Nipah virus case 21/07/2024The ministry has advised the state to immediately implement public health measures such as active case search in the boy's family and his neighbourhood, and in areas with similar topography of the place the case was detected.Over 4,000 NEET-UG candidates from Rajasthan's Sikar score above 600 21/07/2024Aryan PG College centre recorded 90 candidates scoring above 600, Sunrise International School had 85, BPS Convent School had 94, Gurukul International School reported 132 candidates, and Shri Mangal Chand Diwaniya Vidya Centre saw 115 candidates achieving the same milestone."Not right to look at other sources": ICMR DG Rajiv Bahl on study claiming 11.8 lakh excess deaths in India during 2020 Covid 21/07/2024"The paper that has been published today is looking at COVID-19 mortality and the reduction in life expectancy during the pandemic. What it is trying to look at is excess mortality during the COVID pandemic in the year 2020. Now the first thing to understand is this is not COVID deaths only. This is all […]Health ministry terms a study on Covid deaths in India 'misleading' 20/07/2024The NFHS sample is representative of the country only when it is considered as a whole. The 23 per cent of households included in this analysis from part of 14 states cannot be considered representative of the country, the statement said. Pharma & Health NewsEU antitrust regulators accept Vifor Pharma's pledge not to disparage rival 22/07/2024Vifor will "launch a comprehensive and multi-channel communication campaign to rectify and undo the effects of the potentially misleading messages previously disseminated by Vifor regarding the safety of Monofer", the EU competition enforcer said.Zydus Lifesciences gets Mexican regulatory nod for cancer treatment biosimilar 22/07/2024Since then, an estimated 50,000 patients have been treated with the therapy, Zydus said, adding with 12 lifesaving biosimilars already launched in the market, it has been bridging the unmet need for affordable therapies in the fight against cancer in India.Sanofi initiates voluntary recall of Allegra, Combiflam suspensions due to contamination in some batches 22/07/2024The manufacturer said that it is voluntarily initiating a precautionary recall of these medicines from distributors, hospitals and retailers in the Indian market as a precautionary measure triggered "due to microbiological contamination," which is "still under investigation."Rusan Pharma's API Plant in Ankleshwar Receives (India) USFDA GMP Approval 22/07/2024Speaking on the achievement, Dr. Kunal Saxena, Managing Director of Rusan Pharma, highlights, "This GMP approval by the USFDA underscores our unwavering commitment to maintaining the highest standards of quality and manufacturing excellence, expanding our global presence and credibility. This achievement instils confidence in our partners and clients, reassuring them of our dedication to excellence […]Next leg of pharma sector growth necessitates skill advancement, innovation: Eco Survey 22/07/2024"Pharma industry is expected to reach USD 130 billion by 2030. The next leg of growth in pharma necessitates skill advancement, the use of innovation and technology, and the establishment of a strong supply chain," the survey said.UN urges Gilead to 'make history' with game-changing HIV drug 22/07/2024Gilead could bring the AIDS pandemic towards an end if the US pharmaceutical giant opens up access to its game-changing new HIV drug, the head of UNAIDS told AFP.Pharma MNCs seek relief from price control for patented drugs 22/07/2024Last year, in May, the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) notified that the ceiling price of the drugs going off patent will be reduced by 50% to curb profiteering by pharmaceutical companies. It was decided that the drug pricing regulator will take the market data and fix a new price after one year.Jubilant Pharmova posts multi-fold rise in Q1 net profit to Rs 481.8 cr 20/07/2024The exceptional items in the first quarter of the current fiscal include net income of Rs 669.2 crore following sale of investment in SOFIE, expenses of Rs 91.6 crore accrued due to closure of manufacturing operations of solid dosage formulation facility at Salisbury, Maryland, USA; Rs 95.3 crore provision for slow moving inventory in respect […]Zydus Lifesciences gets USFDA nod for diabetes drug 19/07/2024Zydus Lifesciences on Friday said it has received approval from the US health regulator for its new drug application for a diabetes medication. The company has received final approval for its new drug application (NDA) from the US Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) to market Zituvimet XR (sitagliptin and metformin hydrochloride) extended-release tablets, the drug […]Eli Lilly's weight loss drug tirzepatide gets approval in China 19/07/2024A spokesperson for Eli Lily did not immediately respond to a request for comment on when its own drug's sales would begin in China or how many doses would be supplied. Tirzepatide is the active ingredient in the U.S. firm's diabetes drug Mounjaro, also approved in China, and weight-loss drug Zepbound.Dr Reddy's inks licensing pact with Takeda to sell gastrointestinal drug 19/07/2024"The non-exclusive patent licensing agreement with Takeda is part of our continuous efforts to make innovative medicines available to patients in India through strategic collaborations to meet unmet needs and enhance standard of care," Dr Reddy's CEO - Branded Markets (India & Emerging Markets) MV Ramana stated.SC dismisses Sun Pharma's plea against NPPA's demand notice of Rs 4.65 cr for overcharging drug 18/07/2024"We, therefore, find no error committed by the high court in rejecting the claim of the appellant. The appeal is devoid of merit and is accordingly dismissed. Order of status quo dated November 10, 2014 shall stand vacated," it ordered.USFDA classifies Zydus Lifesciences Jarod unit as 'official action indicated' 18/07/2024The US Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) conducted inspection at the injectables manufacturing facility between April 15 and April 23, 2024, Zydus Lifesciences said in a regulatory filing.Lupin inks pact with Huons to market Ophthalmic Nanoemulsion in Mexico 18/07/2024Cyclosporine Ophthalmic Nanoemulsion is a preservative-free Nanoemulsion that has been approved in South Korea, Peru and several countries in the Middle East for treatment of dry eye syndrome and healing corneal ulcers, Lupin informed in a statement.Himachal CM meets J P Nadda, seeks additional aid for Bulk Drug Park 18/07/2024The chief minister requested him for additional financial assistance for the Bulk Drug Park, citing its critical role in the state's economic development and its potential to generate local employment opportunities.As Roche blocks Zydus’ Pertuzumab launch, experts see murky corporate rivalry 18/07/2024An interim injunction from the Delhi High Court paused Zydus Lifesciences’ bid to launch the biosimilars of Roche’s breast cancer drug Perjeta (pertuzumab). But as the story unfolds, experts from multinational companies raised objections around the transparency in the clinical trial process. They also alleged the due process for the biosimilar’s approvals was not followed. […]Aurobindo Pharma board approves Rs 750-cr share buyback plan 18/07/2024At the end of June 30, the company promoters owned 51.8 per cent stake, while foreign institutional investors (FIIs) and mutual funds owned 16.73 per cent and 19.17 per cent respectively.Column: Merck defeats appeal by nearly 1,200 shingles vaccine plaintiffs 18/07/2024The 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled on Tuesday that U.S. District Judge Harvey Bartle of Philadelphia did not abuse his discretion when he dismissed cases by plaintiffs who failed to produce clinical test results in response to a so-called Lone Pine order.Miltenyi Biotec and THSTI Partner to explore Cell & Gene Therapies for Cancer Treatment 18/07/2024Through the partnership, the two organisations aim to address the growing need for innovative treatments in the fight against cancer by developing innovative cell and gene therapies and specifically focus on cancer and sickle cell disease, the biomedical company said.Breakthrough: Common blood thinner can be affordable antidote for cobra venom 18/07/2024The study, published Wednesday in Science Translational Medicine, reveals that heparin and related drugs can effectively stop the necrosis caused by cobra bites. This discovery could significantly reduce the severe injuries and amputations resulting from cobra venom-induced tissue death. WHO newsThe Gambia’s decision to uphold ban on FGM critical win for girls’ and women’s rights 15/07/2024Joint statement by UNICEF Executive Director, Catherine Russell, UNFPA Executive Director, Natalia Kanem, WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, UN Women Executive Director, Sima Bahous, and UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk “Following the vote today by the National Assembly of The Gambia, we commend the country’s decision to uphold the ban on Female […]Global childhood immunization levels stalled in 2023, leaving many without life-saving protection 14/07/2024Global childhood immunization coverage stalled in 2023, leaving 2.7 million additional children un- and under-vaccinated compared to pre-pandemic levels in 2019, according to data published today by the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF.The latest WHO and UNICEF estimates of national immunization coverage (WUENIC) – which provide the world’s largest and most comprehensive dataset on immunization […]WHO launches unique training course to enable parliamentarians in global health security 12/07/2024The World Health Organization has released "The Role of Parliaments and Parliamentarians in Strengthening Health Security Preparedness", an online training course. This essential resource aims to equip parliamentarians with the knowledge and tools necessary to enhance global health security efforts.WHO prequalifies the first self-test for hepatitis C virus 10/07/2024The World Health Organization (WHO) has prequalified the first hepatitis C virus (HCV) self-test which can provide a critical support in expanding access to testing and diagnosis, accelerating global efforts to eliminate hepatitis C.MeDevIS platform announced to boost access to medical technologies and devices 08/07/2024World Health Organization (WHO) has introduced an online platform called MeDevIS (Medical Devices Information System), the first global open access clearing house for information on medical devices. It is designed to support governments, regulators and users in their decision-making on selection, procurement and use of medical devices for diagnostics, testing and treatment of diseases and […]WHO updates laboratory biosecurity guidance 04/07/2024WHO recently issued updated guidance for national authorities and biomedical laboratories to manage biological risks.Laboratories are essential components of health systems, critical for patient diagnosis and rapid clinical care, disease surveillance, pathogen characterization, and research and development for treatments and vaccines. Appropriately designed and equipped facilities, trained staff, evidence-based risk mitigating measures, transparent reporting and […]WHO releases first-ever clinical treatment guideline for tobacco cessation in adults 01/07/2024The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends a comprehensive set of tobacco cessation interventions, including behavioural support delivered by health-care providers, digital cessation interventions and pharmacological treatments in a first guideline on tobacco cessation.The guideline focuses on helping the more than 750 million tobacco users who want to quit all forms of tobacco. The recommendations are […]Nearly 1.8 billion adults at risk of disease from not doing enough physical activity 25/06/2024New data show that nearly one third (31%) of adults worldwide, approximately 1.8 billion people, did not meet the recommended levels of physical activity in 2022. The findings point to a worrying trend of physical inactivity among adults, which has increased by about 5 percentage points between 2010 and 2022. If the trend continues, levels of […]Over 3 million annual deaths due to alcohol and drug use, majority among men 25/06/2024A new report from the World Health Organization (WHO) highlights that 2.6 million deaths per year were attributable to alcohol consumption, accounting for 4.7% of all deaths in that year, and 0.6 million deaths –to psychoactive drug use. Notably, 2 million of alcohol- and 0.4 million of drug-attributable deaths were among men.WHO issues warning on falsified medicines used for diabetes treatment and weight loss 20/06/2024The World Health Organization (WHO) issued a medical product alert on falsified semaglutides, the type of medicines that are used for treatment of type 2 diabetes and obesity in some countries.