Himani Chandna
India Rejects J&J Plea to Extend Patent on Key Tuberculosis Drug, Drop in Prices Expected
The patent on the drug made India dependent on drug supplies from J&J, the latest decision will pave the way for generic versions in the local market, increasing access
'Uzbekistan deaths sullied entire industry': Top pharma export council suspends Marion Biotech's membership
According to Uzbekistan media reports, the Dok-1 Max syrup manufactured by UP-based Marion Biotech showed the presence of ethylene glycol, the deadly chemical, which was held responsible for deaths in The Gambia
India spotted BF.7 strain months ago but didn't see COVID surge, says co-chair at INSACOG
The recent surge in COVID-19 cases in China is believed to be driven by the BF.7 subvariant of the Omicron strain
Explained: Why India lags behind in organ transplant despite a rise in donation
While the number of organ donations and transplants is increasing, there is a significant gap between supply and demand. There is a wide difference between patients who need transplants and the organs that are available in India
Severe air pollution threatens to knock wind out of COVID-19 victims
With no relief in sight, patients who had suffered from Covid infection that required steroids, oxygen, and hospitalisation – or those who had prolonged or delayed recovery – should take special care during these days
Centre to create 'National Drugs Database' to monitor quality of medicines in India
The committee will give recommendations and prepare a comprehensive database of drug formulations manufactured and marketed in the country, providing detailed information on a drug, its dosage form, strength, and details of the manufacturer, marketer, or importer of the drug
'Affordable, Not Cheap': To push 'Heal in India', Modi government to reposition medical tourism sector
Under Heal in India via an online portal, foreigners will be able to locate the list of all hospitals in the country available to provide their choice of medical treatments
20 Surgeons, 10 Anaesthetists, 5 Rehearsals, 18-Hr Surgery: India’s First Shoulder-level Full-arm Transplant
The shoulder-level arm operation has a different retrieval procedure when compared to a usual hand transplant. In this case, muscles have to be carefully selected and retrieved from the chest, neck, and upper limb followed by major arteries, veins, and nerves
How did Micro Labs spend Rs 1000 crores on promotion of Dolo-650, which generated only Rs 350 crores in revenue?
Industry insiders say that on a revenue of Rs 350 crores not more than Rs 20-30 crores of profit can be made for this medicine. While Micro Labs officials say that Rs 1000 crores is the total estimate for the promotional expenses incurred by the company in the last six to 10 years
PM Modi to launch scheme to support nutritional needs of TB patients as India aims to eradicate the deadly disease
The scheme has tentatively been named Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan (PMTBMB) under which financial contributions from NGOs, private sector, or even individuals will be encouraged to support dietary requirements of TB patients
Piriton, Sumo, D Cold Total under scanner: Ban on cocktail medicines likely soon as govt begins final discussion
Fixed drug combinations (FDC) or cocktail medicines, combine more than one drug in a single pill. The health ministry may retain two to three combinations and ban others products from the 19 FDCs under the scanner
Tough regulatory rules likely for sale of codeine-based cough syrups after MPs raise concerns
Several MPs have demanded the prohibition for the sale of codeine-based cough syrups, which they claim are being used by youngsters for recreational purpose
Modi government to slash prices of critical drugs fixing trade margin
The trade margin will be rationalised in a phased manner as it enables better execution and gives time to the industry to accommodate changes, said a source
India's drug regulatory agency's bribery controversy a blessing in disguise
The latest allegations could be indicative of years old, deeply rooted tradition of CDSCO — the office of which is jokingly called as ‘snake pit’ by pharma industry officials
COVID waves to come in every four to six months, booster shots important, says WHO's chief scientist
Emphasising on importance of booster shots, Soumya Swaminathanthe, former Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) chief, said that boosters are important to boost waning immunity, especially for vulnerable people
Better reporting, literacy, new ICMR guidelines: Why Kerala is seeing an uptick in COVID-19 cases
With the caseload again increasing in Kerala, public health experts say there are multiple reasons behind the fresh surge. Key ones are a strong testing mechanism, literate population, densely populated and culturally social state
Monkeypox won’t spread like wildfire as we feared for coronavirus, says ICMR's top virologist
With nearly 100 confirmed cases in over 12 countries, monkeypox has triggered a fresh concern over a new health crisis, even as the world is still grappling with the COVID-19 pandemic
Usage of masks should be relaxed among children say experts as skin infection risk increased
Also, as the benefit of using masks is low when the virus circulation is limited, experts feel the central government should remove the compulsion for kids.
Why manufacturing licence of Remdesivir was not given to pharmaceutical PSUs, asks Parliamentary panel
Since Remdesivir has been included in the National Treatment Protocol as an optional drug in curing critical coronavirus patients, the committee recommended that the Centre conduct scientific studies to check the efficacy of the drug and asked it to explore possibilities to manufacture COVID essential drugs by PSUs under it
No gifts or vacation offers: Govt unveils draft code to stop bribing of doctors by medical device firms
While the pharmaceutical sector has its own set of codes, different ones have been drafted for the medical devices sector as the government moves to regulate the latter as a separate industry going forward