Pharma & Health News Top Stories Today – HealthWiping out measles impossible due to vaccine hesitancy in rich countries, says Gates 15/09/2026The Microsoft co-founder turned billionaire philanthropist said wiping out the killer childhood disease had previously been a potential goal for his eponymous foundation, which focuses on global health and the world's poorest people.Indian AI platform for cancer care featured in BRICS health journal 15/09/2026The platform, iOncology.ai, has been developed by the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, and the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC), Pune, with support from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.Potential new TB vaccines could save millions of lives: Gavi 14/09/2026New TB jabs in the pipeline have the potential of becoming the "next blockbuster immunisation tool", said Sania Nishtar, head of the Gavi global vaccine alliance.AI, trauma, bionics: India’s top institutes join forces to develop medical care for soldiers 14/09/2026Top Indian health institutions are partnering with the Armed Forces Medical Services. These collaborations focus on developing advanced medical solutions for soldiers. Research areas include trauma care, infectious diseases, and digital health technologies. This initiative aims to address India's specific climatic and battlefield conditions.India may get own dengue vax by next year end: ICMR DG 14/09/2026DengiAll, India’s first indigenous, single-dose, dengue vaccine is expected to work against all four strains of dengue prevalent in the country. Since the number of dengue cases is generally low in India this year, the clinical trial team might have to wait longer to unblind the study result.Global nutrition experts back FSSAI warning labels, seek stricter rules 14/09/2026In a written comment to Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, the scholars called for removal of the proposed "two or more nutrients" requirement, saying products high in one nutrient of concern should carry a warning. They said sugar, saturated fat and sodium can pose health risks and cited WHO guidance supporting thresholds.Manipal Hospitals scouts for acquisitions in Andhra, Keralam, Delhi-NCR; bets on AI-led healthcare 14/09/2026Manipal Health Enterprises plans significant expansion across several Indian states. The company is adopting a digital-physical healthcare model driven by Artificial Intelligence. Strategic acquisitions and a new greenfield project in Mumbai are underway. Investments focus on AI-enabled nursing and patient monitoring systems. The healthcare major aims to add over 2,400 beds by the year 2030.BRICS countries call for stronger cooperation in health, endorse initiatives on TB 13/09/2026In the New Delhi Delhi Declaration after their meeting, the leaders said they reaffirmed their commitment to advancing universal health coverage through "resilient, inclusive and people-centred approaches".Marengo Asia raises ₹400-cr from LeapFrog Investments to double bed capacity 13/09/2026Marengo operates five hospitals in India and has a strategic partnership in Saudi Arabia. It has a capacity of 2,000 beds and operates facilities across the National Capital Region, Gujarat and Rajasthan. Its revenues are said to be in the ₹1,000-1,200 crore range.SC junks per-serve labelling plea, calls FSSAI's phased FOPL rollout 'ambiguous' 12/09/2026The All India Food Processors’ Association had filed an affidavit on Wednesday arguing that different food categories should be assessed according to the quantities in which they are normally consumed, that is on a per-serve basis, rather than applying the same 100- gram benchmark across products. 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 […]
