Pharma & Health News Top Stories Today – HealthH1N1 rising, but no cause for panic: ICMR DG 26/08/2026H1N1 accounts for nearly 98% of Influenza A cases currently detected in India, while H3N2 accounts for only 2-3%, Bahl said. He stressed that the rise was consistent with the seasonal pattern of influenza and did not indicate a new or more dangerous strain.PM2.5 could be dominant contributor to air pollution-induced global cancer burden: Study 25/08/2026Particulate matter sized under 2.5 microns or 0.0025 millimetres (PM2.5) accounted for 8.82 million cases of the total 109 million cases identified between 2000 and 2020, according to findings published in the journal Nature Health.Haryana orders 100% flu testing amid H1N1 surge 25/08/2026The state govt has directed health facilities to test 100% of patients with severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) for influenza and at least 5% of those reporting with influenza-like illness (ILI).Adani Group to set up 2,000-bed hospital in Bengal, 1,000 beds to be free 25/08/2026The Adani Group plans to establish a significant 2,000-bed hospital in New Town. Half of these beds will be allocated for free treatment of the poor. West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari confirmed this development. He stated that Karan Adani had met him regarding the project. Gautam Adani has sent a commitment letter to begin […]1,000 Stitches by Hand: Why Heart Valves Still Need the Human Touch? 24/08/2026What if the device keeping your heart beating was entirely man-made? Inside a high-precision manufacturing facility in Singapore, trained mostly women operators sit behind microscopes, carefully stitching delicate heart-valve tissue by hand. A single valve can require around 1,000 stitches, with every movement demanding exceptional precision, judgement and months of training. For Jai Arora, who […]AI tools can aid blood disorder care: Experts 24/08/2026Experts said AI can help doctors identify patterns in large datasets, assess risks and support treatment planning. However, they stressed that clinical judgement must remain central to patient care.Centre eases Medical Devices rules, adds EU to waiver list 24/08/2026According to the ministry, “Under the amended provisions, manufacturers outsourcing product sterilization to another facility holding a valid licence under the Medical Devices Rules, 2017 will no longer be required to obtain a separate loan licence for the outsourced sterilization activity”Govt to take stock of H1N1 as Karnataka cases cross 4,000 24/08/2026Health minister U T Khader said surveillance and preparedness will be among the key issues to be discussed at the meeting, amid concern over the spread of the seasonal flu in Bengaluru.No cause for panic over H1N1; current strains in circulation since 2025, says ICMR 24/08/2026The scientists, as per the ICMR press note, also clarified that the influenza strains currently circulating are well matched with the vaccine strains recommended for the Northern Hemisphere.Preventive healthcare future model, crucial for national economy, security: Rajnath 24/08/2026Singh said preventive healthcare also made economic sense as treating advanced diseases could cost lakhs of rupees, while annual health check-ups, lifestyle counselling, early screening and basic medication could cost hundreds or a few thousand rupees. 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 newsWHO Director-General visits Jordan to recognize strong collaboration on health system delivery, emergency relief and advancing mental health 25/02/2026The Director-General of the World Health Organization, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, today concluded the first day of his two-day State visit to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, underscoring the strong partnership between WHO and Jordan across the areas of universal health coverage (UHC), mental health and humanitarian health action.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 […]Paying tribute to David Nabarro 30/07/2025Tribute to Dr David NabarroTimor-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 […]WHO’s strategic engagement with philanthropies: advancing global health and resilient health systems 19/05/2025Philanthropic support plays a vital role in enabling countries to build stronger health systems and advance towards health equity. From vaccine equity and pandemic preparedness to primary health care, the contributions of philanthropic partners help drive progress across WHO’s key priorities.The importance of philanthropic support was underscored by Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, in […]Worldwide rally for maternal and newborn health marks World Health Day 2025 10/04/2025On the occasion of the World Health Day 2025 dedicated to the theme of Healthier beginnings, hopeful futures, over 100 global WHO offices have organized wide-ranging public advocacy actions in collaboration with Member States, communities, health workers, partner and donor agencies and civil society organizations.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 […]
