Is India Winning the War Against Rising Non-Communicable Diseases? The latest health statistics paint a concerning picture: diabetes, heart disease, and cancer rates are climbing, impacting millions across the country. From rural healthcare access to the burgeoning urban health crisis, challenges remain significant. This week, we delve into the crucial initiatives underway – government policies, technological advancements in telemedicine, and the rising role of preventative healthcare – that aim to address this national health emergency. Experts weigh in on the effectiveness of current strategies and the critical need for increased public awareness campaigns targeting lifestyle diseases. Are these efforts enough? Explore Abtak.com's in-depth coverage on healthcare in India and discover the vital information you need to protect your well-being and the future of public health. Stay informed; stay healthy.
NEW DELHI: With prices of GLP-1 drugs crashing and their generic versions flooding the market, govt has cracked down on their misuse, inspecting 49 businesses and issuing notices while also flagging risks of unsupervised consumption in a detailed advisory.To ensure ethical pharmaceutical practices, Drug Controller General of India has intensified surveillance of unauthorised sale and promotion of the drugs. In India, GLP-1 medicines can be prescribed only by endocrinologists, internal medicine specialists and cardiologists.Officials have raised concerns over their growing on-demand availability through retail pharmacies, online platforms, wholesalers and wellness clinics. Inspections across the country found violations such as improper prescriptions and misleading marketing. An advisory has directed manufacturers to stop advertisements promoting non-prescription use, warning of licence cancellation, fines and legal action.GLP-1 drugs, used to treat type 2 diabetes and obesity, carry risks if misused. Side effects range from vomiting to pancreatitis, kidney injury and bowel obstruction.
India's pharmaceutical industry, valued at $50 billion, is booming as a global leader in generic drugs. With significant exports to 200+ countries, India meets a substantial portion of global demand for affordable medicine. Challenges include regulatory hurdles and quality assurance, as the nation aims to expand its generic drug market. The Indian pharmaceutical industry, currently valued at $50 billion, is playing an increasingly crucial role on the global stage. Renowned as the 'pharmacy of the world,' India's pharma sector is a major exporter, supplying essential generic drugs to over 200 ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], July 16 (ANI): The Indian government expressed regret on Tuesday over the reported demolition of the ancestral property of celebrated filmmaker and writer Satyajit Ray in Mymensingh, Bangladesh and expressed its willingness to extend cooperation in its restoration. "We note with profound regret that the ancestral property of noted filmmaker and litterateur Satyajit Ray in Mymensingh, Bangladesh, belonging to his grandfather and eminent litterateur, Upendra Kishor Ray Chowdhury, is being demolished," the Ministry of External Affairs said. Also Read | India Urges Bangladesh ...Read More >
Hyderabad: Overdependence on white rice, refined grains and added sugars is fuelling a surge in diabetes and obesity among Indians, according to an ICMR-INDIAB survey. Telangana reflects the same dietary risks as the rest of the country. The study, published in Nature Medicine, found that more than 62 per cent of daily calories in Indian diets come from low-quality carbohydrates, while protein intake remains low and saturated fat consumption exceeds recommended levels in most states. In Telangana, high reliance on refined cereals and inadequate protein has been linked to an elevated risk of t ...Read More >
New Delhi -- The World Health Organization (WHO) on Monday issued a health advisory warning against the use and distribution of three cough syrups believed to be responsible for the deaths of several children in India over the last month. The drugs were identified as specific batches of Coldrif, Respifresh TR and ReLife, the WHO said in a statement, manufactured by three Indian companies: Sresan Pharmaceutical, Rednex Pharmaceuticals, and Shape Pharma. The oral liquid drugs were found to conta ...Read More >
New Delhi, Oct 22 (PTI) Cancer cases linked with obesity, previously observed as rising among the youth, could also be increasing in both young and older adults worldwide, according to a global analysis. Researchers from The Institute of Cancer Research and Imperial College London cautioned that new studies focusing solely on younger adults for rise in cancer cases should be carefully considered. The study, published in the journal Annals of Internal Medicine, which examined annual cancer incidence from 2003 to 2017 found that five obesity-related cancers -- thyroid, breast, kidney, endometr ...Read More >
The District Magistrate of South Delhi has mandated CCTV installations in pharmacies to prevent illegal drug sales, focusing on Schedule H, H1, and X drugs. The All-India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists raises concerns over unregulated online pharmacies, urging swift action against illegal sales threatening public health. The District Magistrate of South Delhi has announced a new regulation mandating the installation of CCTV cameras in all pharmacies across the national capital. This init ...Read More >
Chennai: Apollo Hospitals Enterprise, controlled by the Prathap Reddy family, has announced a significant reorganisation where its pharmacy distribution and digital health operations will be carved out into a separate entity. This new entity, Apollo Healthtech, will seek listing on stock exchanges over the next 18 to 21 months, with current Apollo Hospitals shareholders receiving proportionate shares in the new company. The deal will create a leading omni-channel pharmacy distribution and digital health platform in India with revenues of Rs 16,300 crore ($1.9 billion), Apollo Hospitals said in ...Read More >
New Delhi, Jul 2 (PTI) The Delhi High Court on Wednesday asked the Drug Controller General of India to consult experts and relevant stakeholders in deciding a plea over drug combinations sold in the market for weight loss treatment. A bench of Chief Justice D K Upadhyaya and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela asked the petitioner to give a representation to the DGCI, which was asked to decide the matter within three months. Also Read | 'Janaki' Title Row: Malayalam Film Industry Holds Protest in Front of CBFC Office Against Renaming of Suresh Gopi Film. A plea filed by Jitendra Chouksey said license ...Read More >
Hyderabad: At least five people have died and 15 others have been hospitalised after allegedly consuming adulterated toddy from three compounds in Kukatpally and KPHB since Monday night. While police officially confirmed one death, hospital sources and the victims' families claim the toll is higher. The deceased include Seetharam, 47, a mason from Sriramnagar Colony, and Swaroopa, 61, a housewife from Hydernagar. Police have not released the names of two others suspected to have died at Kukatpally. Seetharam had consumed toddy on Monday evening and began vomiting soon after. He was declared ...Read More >
SRINAGAR: A defiant Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday scaled the gates of the Naqshband Sahib graveyard to pay tributes to the 22 people killed by the Dogra army on July 13, 1931. The dramatic scene unfolded a day after Abdullah and several leaders of the National Conference and opposition parties were put under house arrest to prevent them from going to the graveyard to mark Martyrs' Day. National Conference president Farooq Abdullah took an autorickshaw from the Khanyar crossing to the martyrs memorial while Minister for Education Sakina Ittoo surprised everyone by r ...Read More >
HYDERABAD: The death toll in the suspected toddy adulteration case rose to seven after another patient died at Gandhi Hospital on Monday. According to the doctors, the deceased was identified as Putti Gangamani (40), a resident of Hydernagar. She succumbed to kidney failure.At least 39 patients, who consumed the spiked drink from areas in and around Kukatpally depots were admitted to two hospitals, with 11 of them discharged on Monday. Of these, 16 were admitted to Gandhi Hospital. While three have left against the medical advice of doctors, four others were discharged on Monday. According to ...Read More >
In a major twist to the ongoing crackdown on misleading or fake oral-rehydration solution (ORS) drinks, the Delhi High Court has granted an interim stay against key orders issued by FSSAI, effectively pausing the ban on use of ORS branding for certain beverage products. The stay comes following a petition by JNTL Consumer Health (a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson), allowing it to continue marketing its ORS-branded product and addressing stock in the market. After the FSSAI's October 14 advisory b ...Read More >
Ahmedabad: More than half of the total Covid-positive cases in Gujarat -- over 700 identified so far -- were recorded in the 25 to 50 years age group, or the 'working age group', state health department officials have said. About 10% of the cases were among infants under one year of age, according to govt data. Officials also said that the number of senior citizens in recent cases is relatively very low. Health experts pointed out that three patients who died of Covid -- all from Ahmedabad -- were women aged 18, 20 and 47 years. "No definite pattern is emerging yet, as cases are under control ...Read More >
New Delhi, July 14 (SocialNews.XYZ) Dietary approaches like intermittent energy restriction, time-restricted eating, and continuous energy restriction can all improve blood sugar levels and body weight in people with obesity and type 2 diabetes, according to a study. Although researchers identified improved HbA1c levels, and adverse events were similar across the three groups, the IER group showed greater advantages in reducing fasting blood glucose, improving insulin sensitivity, lowering triglycerides, and strengthening adherence to the dietary interventions. IER typically involves periods ...Read More >
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], November 3: Echosens, the leader in non-invasive liver diagnostics, today announced the opening of its new regional headquarters* in Mumbai, India. The new office in the Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) will serve as the company's hub for operations across South Asia, expanding access to FibroScan® in India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, The Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. Also Read | 'Pakistan's Been Testing': US President Donald Trump Says Pakistan 'Testing' Nuclear Weapons, Defends US' Decision To Resume Testing (Watch Video). Echosens has been present in India for more than ...Read More >
Bengaluru, Dec 3 (PTI) The Karnataka government on Tuesday requested the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) to investigate and take necessary action against a West Bengal-based manufacturer, amid concerns that recent maternal deaths in Ballari district, could be linked to substandard Ringer Lactate solution supplied by the company. In a letter, Karnataka Health Principal Secretary Harsh Gupta, drew the attention of the DCGI to the supply of several batches of "Compound Sodium Lactate I P (Ringer's Lactate I P)" by the West Bengal-based pharmaceutical company Paschim Banga Pharmaceutical ...Read More >
Delhi Air Pollution: As the Air Quality Index (AQI) remains in the 'very poor' category, increasing the risks of health problems, especially respiratory issues, the former director of AIIMS Delhi, Dr Randeep Guleria, on Wednesday said that those who have underlying respiratory conditions, need to be extra careful. Guleria, who is also the Chairman of Internal Medicine, Respiratory and Sleep Medicine at Medanta The Medicity, noted that to some extent, the rising air pollution can be termed a public health emergency because it is going to lead to increased symptoms, with more people coming to t ...Read More >
New Delhi, Jul 3 (PTI) Adopting a healthier lifestyle is more effective than using the anti-diabetes drug metformin, with the benefits persisting over 20 years later, according to a study. The US Diabetes Prevention Program, launched in 1996, enrolled 3,234 patients with prediabetes from 30 institutions across 22 states. The study aimed to compare the benefits of metformin and a lifestyle modification that included exercise and a healthy diet. Researchers from The University of New Mexico, US, found that making lifestyle changes lowered the development of diabetes by 24 per cent, while the a ...Read More >
Srinagar, July 09: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday said that Jammu & Kashmir's tourism sector is witnessing a strong revival, with a steady rise in the number of tourists visiting the Union Territory each day.Abdullah, while addressing reporters in West Bengal ahead of the Kolkata Tourism Fair, said, "Tourists are coming back to Kashmir in good numbers. The ongoingAmarnathYatra is proceeding smoothly with heavy footfall on both the Pahalgam and Baltal routes, he said."I spoke to several pilgrims, and they are all happy and satisfied with the arrangements. I have come to Kolkata to ta ...Read More >
Shimla (Himachal Pradesh) [India], September 26 (ANI): The Pharmaceutical companies and chemists in Shimla have begun implementing the revised GST night tariff on medicines, bringing much-needed relief to patients and the poor. Managers and pharmacy owners in the capital confirmed that the new reforms, effective as of September 22, have already reduced the prices of many essential and life-saving medications. Mahesh Bisht, Manager at a pharmaceutical company, explained the changes, "From September 22, the new GST reforms and tariffs have come into effect. Items that were earlier under the 12% ...Read More >
Ahmedabad (Gujarat) [India], September 29: As India observes World Heart Day, the conversation around cardiovascular health has once again turned to prevention, timely treatment, and most importantly, access to affordable medicines for everyone. Heart disease remains the leading cause of death in India at 28.1%, with more than half a billion people affected by a heart ailment. While treatment protocols have advanced, the cost of long-term medication continues to be a burden for many families. More so if one takes into account the fact that almost half of them cannot afford the medication. Als ...Read More >
Mumbai: Less than a month after Ozempic maker Novo Nordisk announced it is cutting its global workforce as part of a restructuring plan, the layoffs have hit Indian employees in Bengaluru. Junior- to mid-level employees across functions such as sales and marketing, as well as those in the company's global business services (GBS) hub, which works with its global teams, have been impacted, according to at least three people aware of the development. "At least 100-150 will be retrenched from the commercial unit, which largely includes sales and marketing roles. They are expected to be in junior ...Read More >
The World Health Organization is seeking details from India regarding a cough syrup linked to child deaths. Several Indian states have banned the 'Coldrif' syrup. Lab reports confirmed it contained a toxic industrial solvent. A criminal case has been registered against the manufacturer, Sresan Pharma. The doctor who prescribed the syrup has been arrested. The World Health Organization on Wednesday sought clarification from Indian authorities on whether a cough syrup linked to deaths of children ...Read More >
A-1 Limited informs the stock exchanges that it has entered a new long-term supply agreement for concentrated nitric acid. The tri-partite deal involves Gujarat Narmada Valley Fertilizers & Chemicals Limited, Solar Industries India Limited with its group companies, and A-1 Limited. The committed quantity is 10,000 metric tonnes. Supplies are scheduled between November 2025 and March 2026. Under this supply structure, Gujarat Narmada Valley Fertilizers & Chemicals Limited will produce and sell co ...Read More >
NewsVoir Ahmedabad (Gujarat) [India], September 29: As India observes World Heart Day, the conversation around cardiovascular health has once again turned to prevention, timely treatment, and most importantly, access to affordable medicines for everyone. Heart disease remains the leading cause of death in India at 28.1%, with more than half a billion people affected by a heart ailment. While treatment protocols have advanced, the cost of long-term medication continues to be a burden for many families. More so if one takes into account the fact that almost half of them cannot afford the medica ...Read More >
* Six children have died of kidney failure in Madhya Pradesh's Chhindwara district in 15 days * Investigators suspect contaminated cough syrup laced with toxic diethylene glycol as the cause of the deaths * Most of the victims had been administered Coldrif and Nextro-DS syrups, which have now been banned Did our AI summary help? Let us know. Switch To Beeps Mode In a heart-wrenching tragedy that has shaken Madhya Pradesh's Chhindwara district, six children have died of kidney failure in the ...Read More >
The Union health ministry addressed cough syrup quality. A meeting reviewed drug norm compliance. This followed child deaths linked to syrups in Chhindwara and Rajasthan. States received advice on cough syrup use for children. One cough syrup, Coldrif, contained DEG beyond limits. Action occurred against the manufacturer. Inspections began across 19 units. Officials urged adherence to manufacturing practices. Amid concerns over the quality of cough syrups, the Union health ministry on Sunday und ...Read More >
CHHINDWARA/NEW DELHI, India - India has refused drugmakers' requests to extend a year-end deadline for them to upgrade their manufacturing facilities to international standards, four sources said, amid public anger over the recent deaths of at least 24 children who consumed locally-produced cough syrup. New Delhi had in late 2023 ordered pharmaceutical companies to ensure their plants meet World Health Organization-recommended standards, which would require them to invest in protocols to prevent cross-contamination and enable batch-testing of samples, among other measures. The mandate was est ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], January 31 (ANI): The clarion call given by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to fight obesity and reduce oil consumption has received wide support as people from different walks of life, including actor Akshay Kumar, sportspersons and people from medical fraternity lauded the message to follow healthy routine. Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently gave a clarion call to fight obesity and reduce oil consumption. This has received wide support from doctors, sportspersons as well as people from different walks of life. Prime Minister, Narendra Modi inaugurated the 38th National G ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], June 8 (ANI): In a major crackdown, the Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) of the Delhi Police has busted an interstate drug syndicate and seized 348.176 kilograms of Ganja, officials said. According to Apoorva Gupta, Deputy Commissioner of Police, ANTF, Crime Branch, Delhi, the seized contraband is valued at approximately Rs 1.75 crore in the international market. Also Read | Eknath Shinde Comes to the Rescue of Woman in Need of Kidney Transplant, Drops Her From Jalgaon to Mumbai in His Chartered Plane After She Misses Flight (See Pics). The drug was being smuggled from An ...Read More >