July 2024

July 29,2024 Kolkata: A 54-year-old woman succumbed to swine flu at a private hospital in the city last Saturday (July 20), the first swine flu death reported in Kolkata this season and possibly the first death from the disease in three years. The woman was a leukaemia patient with comorbidities. Hundreds of Kolkatans and residents of the suburbs have been laid low by swine flu, apart from other forms of influensa. Before this, Kolkata’s last recorded swine flu death was in Aug 2021. The woman had been admitted to Peerless Hospital early last week with multiple ailments. She was suffering from acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, a form of blood cancer. Even though the cause of death in her death certificate mentioned sepsis with septic shock, she had tested positive for H1N1 or swine flu, the hospital said, adding it had notified the state health department, following protocol. “She had been frail due to cancer, comorbidities and her immunity was very low,” said a doctor at the hospital. “That could be a reason why she had contracted swine flu, which was not her only ailment.” The hospital has seen a steady flow of swine flu and influensa cases in July. During the first half of the month, 58 per cent had tested positive for Influensa A, out of 55 samples tested. As many as 18, or 56 per cent , of them were swine flu patients, while 14 or 44 per cent had seasonal influensa (H3N2). Eight swine flu patients are now in the hospital, though most have mild symptoms. The number of samples testing positive for swine flu, however, has climbed down at Peerless in the latter half of July. “Out of 100 samples tested between July 1 and 27, around 20 per cent have turned out to be swine flu. Around 70 per cent of the samples tested this month have are positive for various strains of Influensa A,” said Bhaskar Narayan Chaudhuri, chief microbiologist at the hospital. “Swine Flu cases have reduced over the last 8 to 10 days,” said Sayan Chakrabarty, infectious diseases physician, Manipal Hospitals. At Peerless Hospital, out of 55 samples of ‘Flu PCR’— between July 1 and 16 — 32 have tested positive for Influensa A virus. Eighteen were swine flu patients, 14 had seasonal influensa. BP Poddar Hospital had got 86 patients with flulike symptoms in a week. Source: Healthworld

July 29,2024 New Delhi: About 50,000 people lose their lives every year due to snakebite in the country, the highest in the world, BJP MP Rajiv Pratap Rudy said on Monday. Every year, 30-40 lakh people are bitten by snakes across India, the Saran MP said, raising the issue in the Lok Sabha during a discussion on matters of importance. “Bihar is the poorest state, enduring both poverty and natural calamities. Across India, 30 to 40 lakh people are bitten by snakes and 50,000 people die, which is the highest in the world,” Rudy said, emphasising the alarming mortality rate from snakebite. He stressed that many deaths could be prevented, pointing to the climate change impact on snakebite incidents that increased at temperatures above 28 degrees Celsius. Vellore MP M Kathir Anand voiced his concern on the plight of beedi workers, most of whom were women. He demanded an increase in their wages, citing inadequate central funding. Anand urged the Centre to consider budget allocations and provide pension for those older than 60, noting the workers’ significant exposure to dust and other occupational hazards. Kanyakumari MP Vijay Vasanth called for an increase in the quota of recommendations to 150 per year to better assist people. He also urged the government to re-evaluate Ayushman Bharat to ensure that all medical expenses were covered. “Let us work together to realise the full potential,” he said, advocating for improved healthcare coverage. Bathinda MP Harsimrat Kaur raised concern about corruption in the Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS) supplementary nutrition programme in Punjab and claimed that fake beneficiaries were allegedly receiving aid through private entities. “I want to bring to the women and child development ministry’s attention that there is corruption in the ICDS supplementary nutrition programme in Punjab, where aid is being given to fake beneficiaries through private entities,” Kaur said, calling for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry. She also pointed out that 28 lakh Anganwadi workers were paid only Rs 2,200 per month, calling it below standard and demanding justice for mothers and children. S Jothimani, the MP from Karur in Tamil Nadu, raised her opposition to the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET). “We strongly believe that only those who can afford it can clear NEET as it costs Rs 25 lakh to buy the question paper,” Jothimani asserted, highlighting the socioeconomic disparity caused by the exam. She noted that at least 18 students in Tamil Nadu had committed suicide due to NEET and demanded its complete abolition. Jothimani emphasised that fewer students from rural areas had secured admission after NEET was introduced, calling for the removal of “this rot” from the education system. Godda MP Nishikant Dubey claimed Advivasis’ rights were being usurped by “Bangladeshi immigrants” and recounted an incident where they were allegedly beaten after trying to protest. “Adivasis were trying to protest in Jharkhand because their rights were being taken by Bangladeshis and they were beaten in their hostels by police,” Dubey said, accusing the state government of settling Bangladeshi people in Jharkhand and calling for president’s rule to be imposed. Source: Healthworld

July 29,2024 New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during the 112th episode of his monthly radio broadcast, ‘Mann Ki Baat,’ calls on people and organisations to use National Anti-Narcotics Helpline ‘Manas’ in India‘s fight against drugs. During his monthly broadcast, PM Modi said, “In Mann ki Baat, I have often discussed the challenges of drugs. Every family worries that their child might be exposed to drugs. Now, to help such people, the government has launched the National Anti-Narcotics Helpline ‘Manas.” “This is a very big step in the fight against drugs. A few days ago, the Manas Helpline and portal were launched. The government has also released a toll-free number–1933. Anyone can call on this number to get necessary advice or seek information related to rehabilitation,” he added. The Prime Minister also pointed out that if anyone has any other information regarding drugs, then they can also call this number and share it with the Narcotics Control Bureau. “All the information shared with Manas will be confidential. I urge all the people, families and organisations involved in making India drug free to use Manas extensively,” PM Modi said. Union Home Minister Amit Shah launched the MANAS (Madak Padarth Nisedh Asuchna Kendra) Portal on July 18 with a toll-free number 1933 to seek advice on de-addiction and rehabilitation and share information on drug trafficking. MANAS will have a toll-free number 1933, a web portal, a mobile app, and a UMANG app so that citizens of the country can anonymously connect with NCB 24×7 to seek advice on de-addiction and rehabilitation and share information on drug trafficking. Illicit cultivation is one big menace to be tackled, and, NCB along with BISAG-N has developed a web portal and mobile app “MAPDRUGS” to curb illegal cultivation and provide accurate GIS information so that such illicit cultivation can be destroyed by the concerned agencies. (ANI) Source: Healthworld

July 23,2024 Mumbai: The Finance Minister in her Union Budget 2024-25 speech today proposed changes in the basic customs duty for X-ray tubes and flat panel detectors to support domestic manufacturing. This was a welcome move that has been lauded by all the stakeholders involved. Another announcemnt on the exemption of three cancer drugs from basic customs duty has been welcomed. The budget also provided an impetus to the digital infrastructure, allocating significant funds for healthcare and women-led development initiatives. Stakeholders are of the opinion that these steps will advance healthcare access and innovation in India. Welcoming the move, Dr Aakaar Kapoor, CEO and Lead Medical Advisor, City-X Ray & Scan Clinic said, “The nation embraces the Union Budget 2024 presented by our Finance Minister, Smt Nirmala Sitharaman, with several key initiatives standing out. The government has proposed changes in the basic customs duty for X-ray tubes and flat panel detectors used in medical X-ray machines are set to support domestic manufacturing. Additionally, the decision to fully exempt three more medicines from customs duties provide relief to cancer patients. The Finance Minister also proposed digital public infrastructure applications to enhance productivity and innovation across various sectors, including healthcare and announced the construction of a new medical college in Bihar. Furthermore, the Union Health Ministry’s budget has seen a 12.59 per cent increase, raising it from Rs 80,517.62 crore to Rs 90,658.63 crore. Over Rs 3 lakh crore is allocated for women-led development, and the PMGKAY scheme, benefiting over 80 crore people, has been extended for five more years. Five new schemes will support 4.1 crore youth over the next five years with a central outlay of Rs 2 lakh crore.” Cancer incidence has been on the rise in the country and the exemption of three cancer drugs from basic customs duty would make cancer treatmetns more accessible, Uday Deshmukh, Founder & Chairman, Onco Life Cancer Group of Hospitals remarked, “Exemption of three cancer treatment drugs – Trastuzumab deruxtecan, Osimertinib and Durvalumab from basic customs duty is a great initiative by the Government to provide custom duty exemptions on the a few Cancer medications. With Cancer cases growing exponentially every year, it is an important starting step towards affordable healthcare. Hopefully, in the near future, government will be able to provide custom duty exceptions/relief on most cancer medications for the benefit of the patients. We are happy and satisfied with the important decision taken by the government in public interest.” Adding Deshmukh’s views, Dheeraj Jain, Founder and Chairman, Redcliffe Labs, following the budget announcement said, “The exemption of custom duty on cancer medicines will enhance their accessibility and affordability for many. With cancer responsible for 71 per cent of deaths in the 30 to 69 age group and 15 per cent of cancer patients being children and adolescents in India, timely diagnosis and personalized care are paramount. Notably, 63 per cent of Indian women who succumb to cancer could be saved through timely screening, highlighting the urgent need for early diagnosis. By combining early diagnosis with immediate access to treatment for advanced-stage patients, we can significantly improve the overall healthcare landscape across the nation.” Source: Healthworld

July 24,2024 Michigan: A Michigan Medicine study found that high systolic blood pressure (the top number on the blood pressure reading and how hard the heart pumps blood to the arteries) increases the risk of the two most common types of strokes over time. The study looked at the average systolic blood pressure years before the first stroke in over 40,000 adults aged 18 and older who had no history of stroke. Researchers covered three types of stroke: ischemic, a clot that cuts blood supply to the brain and the cause of over 85 per cent of all strokes; intracerebral hemorrhage, a bleed within the brain; and subarachnoid hemorrhage, bleeding between the brain and the tissues that cover it. They found that having a mean systolic blood pressure that is 10-mm Hg higher than average was associated with a 20 per cent higher risk of overall stroke and ischemic stroke, as well as a 31 per cent greater risk of intracerebral hemorrhage. “Our results suggest that early diagnosis and sustained control of high blood pressure over the lifespan are critical to preventing stroke, ischemic stroke and intracerebral hemorrhage, especially in Black and Hispanic patients who are more likely to have uncontrolled hypertension than white patients,” said senior author Deborah A. Levine, M.D., M.P.H., professor of internal medicine and neurology at University of Michigan Medical School. Black patients had a 20 per cent higher risk of ischemic stroke and a 67 per cent higher risk of intracerebral hemorrhage than white patients. Hispanic patients had a 281 per cent higher risk of subarachnoid hemorrhage, but not any other stroke type, compared to white patients. While Black and Hispanic patients had a higher risk of stroke, researchers found little evidence to suggest that race and ethnicity affected the association between cumulative systolic blood pressure and the type of stroke that affected any patient. “Examining racial inequities advances our understanding of the social, economic and political structures that affect health behaviors and risk for stroke among racial and ethnic minority groups,” said Kimson E. Johnson, Ph.D., M.A., M.S.W., first author and postdoctoral research fellow at the University of Michigan. While systolic blood pressure is a modifiable target for preventing stroke and other cardiovascular diseases, a national study conducted in 2020 found that blood pressure control in the United States worsened from 2013 to 2018, especially for Black and Hispanic adults. Self-monitoring of blood pressure improves blood pressure diagnosis and control and is accurate and cost-effective, but it remains an underused tool, Levine says. “Two major barriers to self-monitoring of blood pressure are lack of patient education and insurance not covering the home blood pressure monitors, which cost $50 or more,” she said. “Health care systems and providers must educate and urge their patients to do home blood pressure monitoring, and insurers must pay for home blood pressure monitors to optimise people’s blood pressure and reduce their chances of having a stroke.” Source: Healthworld

July 24,2024 New Delhi: The Centre should consider infertility a national health priority and include it under insurance, Dr Ajay Murdia, founder and chairman of Indira IVF, said, emphasising the need for investment in IVF infrastructure, especially in rural areas. The stark financial divide and monetary burden of seeking IVF treatments in India render it inaccessible for many, Dr Murdia told PTI on the eve of the World IVF Day, observed on July 25. He said the Ayushman Bharat scheme has greatly enhanced healthcare access for millions of Indians through financial protection and essential medical coverage. IVF treatment, if included in this scheme, could benefit millions of people by making essential services more accessible and affordable for those in need. According to some estimates, about 27.5 million married couples who are actively trying to conceive are suffering from infertility. But only about 275,000 IVF cycles are performed every year, Murdia, the man behind India’s one of the largest fertility chains said, citing available data. “This silent epidemic, affecting one in six couples, is rapidly evolving into a national emergency with far-reaching consequences for India’s societal structure and economic prospects,” he stated during the exclusive interview to PTI. The financial toll of this crisis is devastating, he rued. The IVF treatments, costing up to Rs 2-3 lakh per cycle, are pushing countless families into debt. Across the country, there’s a severe shortage of government-run IVF centres, effectively denying millions the chance of parenthood, Dr Murdia highlighted. Many state-funded health centres still lack the necessary facilities to provide effective infertility treatment. Private sector initiatives, such as establishing more IVF clinics in rural areas and providing financing options for treatment, are critical to bridging this gap, he pointed out. Diagnostic facilities and basic infertility investigations are limited in primary health centres (PHC)in rural regions, leading many to opt for traditional or religious practices instead of modern medical interventions, the Indira IVF founder said. The infertility treatment landscape paints a stark picture of inequality, he said. “This glaring healthcare gap is creating a dangerous divide where eventually only the wealthy can afford to build families,” he stated. “Around half of the country’s 2,500 IVF centres operate without a structured framework, which can impact the consistency of treatment quality. Moreover, a substantial portion of treatments is concentrated in urban areas, leaving rural populations with limited access to these services and creating significant gaps in fertility care availability,” Murdia said. The inclusion of comprehensive insurance coverage for infertility treatments, particularly IVF, could alleviate the financial strain on couples and make these essential services more accessible, he said. Insurance policies covering fertility treatments can bridge the financial divide, ensuring that all couples, regardless of their economic status, have an equal opportunity to build their families. Although EMI options are available for infertility treatments, Indian corporates offer insurance for IVF treatments. The government should consider this too, Murdia said. Currently, only CGHS employees and some other states provide IVF insurance, reimbursing Rs Rs 60,000-65,000 per cycle for up to three cycles, he said. The government needs to revise these costs to make them more acceptable to IVF centres until there is widespread government infrastructure with IVF facilities across the country, he added. According to NFHS, the fertility rate is 1.6 in urban areas and 2.1 in rural India. By 2050, India’s total fertility rate (TFR) is projected to dip irreversibly to 1.29, far lower than the replacement rate of 2.1. Investment in IVF infrastructure, especially in rural areas, is crucial, Dr Murdia underscored. Source: Healthworld

July 24,2024 New Delhi: The government is considering a proposal to do away with quality tests for cough syrups manufactured in plants approved by the regulatory authorities of developed markets, according to people aware of the development. The proposal, which follows a representation from a stakeholder, suggests that testing at the prescribed laboratory may be waived for cough syrups being exported to the US, UK, Canada, EU, Japan, Australia, Singapore, Republic of Korea and Switzerland. It has also been proposed that if the cough syrup is manufactured in a plant/section approved by the regulatory agencies of these countries for any product, such cough syrups may also be allowed to be exported to any country without testing. According to a recent report of the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), cough syrup samples collected from more than 100 pharma units in the country had failed quality tests and had the same toxins that were found in the cough syrups that were linked to deaths of children in Gambia, Uzbekistan and Cameroon. The sub-standard batches were declared as “not of standard quality” (NSQ) for parameters such as diethylene glycol (DEG) or ethylene glycol (EG), it said. Earlier, the government had notified that cough syrups manufactured in India can be exported only if they pass quality tests conducted by approved laboratories and on production of certificate of analysis. “The Cough syrups were permitted to be exported only after the samples were declared as of standard quality by any of the above laboratories,” the CDSCO said. Several laboratories, including government-run and private labs across the country, have since been conducting tests in the aftermath of reports linking India-made cough syrups to 141 child fatalities globally. In May last year, the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) had asked state drug controllers “to give instructions to their state-owned NABL-accredited laboratories to analyse the samples received from the manufacturers of cough syrups for export purpose on top priority and issue the test report at the earliest”. The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), too, had issued a similar order. To strengthen the checks, the CDSCO, with the help of state drug control departments, has been carrying out inspections of the cough syrup manufacturing units and distributors of propylene glycol to map the supply chain. Source: Healthworld

July 25,2024 New Delhi: The Budget proposal to waive customs levy on three specific cancer therapies has sparked claims of being “an eye-wash” and “selective”, as it covers only drugs from one MNC AstraZeneca. The exemption does not extend to the entire category or class of cancer drugs, and provides a “marginal” benefit averaging Rs 18,000 each per vial/strip, industry experts told TOI. Reacting to the move, AstraZeneca scrip jumped over 13 per cent over the last two days (from the July 22 close) to Rs 7,076 on the BSE. The proposal has renewed demands from industry and patient groups, and domestic pharma biggies like Biocon, for removal of GST on cancer and rare disease drugs, arguing that broader tax relief would more effectively support patients and the healthcare system. Further, the customs duty waiver should be extended to all imported cancer and rare disease drugs, and not be restricted to only one category, an executive with a MNC firm said. The Budget exempted three cancer drugs – Trastuzumab Deruxtecan, Osimertinib and Durvalumab – from a customs levy of 10 per cent . Trastuzumab Deruxtecan is a breast cancer drug, Osimertinib lung cancer and Durvalumab is used as lung and biliary tract cancer therapy. Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, chairperson, Biocon and Biocon Biologics said: “The removal of customs duty on three cancer drugs will provide relief to cancer patients. However, govt needs to consider GST exemption for all cancer drugs to make cancer care more affordable for patients.” At present, patients face a double whammy with the customs duty levy of 10 per cent , and a GST of 12 per cent, significantly hiking treatment costs of imported drugs. “We will renew the request for a waiver of customs duty on all cancer and rare disease drugs and a reduction of GST on drugs,” a Ficci representative said. Source: Pharma

July 25,2024 Munich: Three people effectively cured of HIV have spoken about how a risky transplant procedure saved their lives, with one saying they are “living proof” of hope in the fight against the virus. The trio spoke about their experience at the International AIDS Conference in Munich, which has gathered experts, researchers and activists to discuss developments in the HIV epidemic. Only seven people are considered to have been effectively cured after receiving a stem cell transplant, a painful and risky procedure only suitable for patients who have both HIV and aggressive leukaemia. Adam Castillejo, a 44-year-old also known as the “London patient”, told AFP that it took “years” to be sure that his transplant had had the desired effect. “There is not a specific time when you say: ‘You’re cured’, it takes a while and then you have controlled expectations towards that.” Only once doctors are sure that the patients’ HIV will not return do they stop treatment with antiretroviral drugs, which reduce the amount of the virus in the blood. “The doctors did so many tests to really be 100 percent sure before the antiretroviral therapy was discontinued,” Franke said. The bone marrow transplant, which carries a 10 percent risk of death, essentially replaces a person’s immune system. Pointing to the “enormous” mortality rate and other complications, Franke went so far as to say: “I can’t recommend it to anyone.” Despite having “lost several years” to leukaemia, Franke said in retrospect he “would have preferred to take one tablet a day” of antiretrovirals than to have gone through the gruelling transplant process. Earlier this month doctors announced the number of people effectively cured from HIV had reached seven. The seventh — dubbed the “next Berlin patient” — received a bone marrow transplant for his leukaemia in 2015 and stopped taking antiretroviral drugs in late 2018. Medical researchers said he now appears to be both HIV and cancer free. Sharon Lewin, President of the International AIDS Society, called the cases “really exciting” but admitted that the therapy was only applicable to a very small number of people. The procedure had effectively cured just “seven people out of 40 million people living with HIV”, Lewin said. “These are very rare cases, but they inspire new directions in science.” All but one of the seven patients received stem cells from donors who had a rare gene mutation which effectively makes people immune to HIV. Paul Edmonds is in his late sixties and was the third patient who spoke about his experiences at the conference. He agreed that “the stem cell transplant is not for everyone because there’s so many risks involved”. However Edmonds said his and his fellow patients’ experience gave “hope… that a cure is possible because we’re living proof that it can happen”. There were 1.3 million new HIV infections last year, while 39 million people are living with the virus, according to the World Health Organisation. Timothy Ray Brown — the original “Berlin patient” — was the first person declared cured of HIV back in 2008. Brown died from cancer in 2020. Source: Healthworld

July 25,2024 London: Anglo-Swedish drugmaker AstraZeneca raised its full year sales and profit forecast on Thursday after beating analyst expectations for second-quarter revenue on strong demand for its cancer, rare disease and heart disease medicines. Sales in AstraZeneca’s top business, oncology, grew 19 per cent at constant currency rates to $5.33 billion and accounted for 41 per cent of the total, while its rare disease and heart and kidney disease divisions also each raked in double-digit growth. Second-quarter profit though was dented by a rise in expenses and sales of cancer drugs Enhertu and Imfinzi were slightly softer than expected, analysts said. The shares slipped 3.6 per cent by 0830 GMT after gains of about 14 per cent so far this year. British rival GSK’s shares are up 4.1 per cent this year and Swiss drugmaker Roche is up 11 per cent this year, compared with the STOXX 600 Index gains of 7 per cent . AstraZeneca expects both 2024 revenue and core earnings per share to increase by a mid-teens percentage at constant currency rates, it said. It had previously expected revenue and profit to increase by a low double-digit to low-teens percentage. The UK’s most valuable company in terms of its market capitalisation of 189.4 billion pounds ($243.89 billion) has evolved significantly since CEO Pascal Soriot took over 12 years ago. New technologies such as antibody-drug conjugates are making up a rising proportion of its future cancer therapies. The sales outlook reflects how the company has moved beyond the COVID vaccine, its best-selling product at the height of the pandemic in 2021, thanks to its roster of cancer therapies and a strong pipeline, including new treatments in other disease areas by the end of the decade. “In the year to date we have continued to make encouraging progress with several disruptive technologies … all of which have the potential to drive our growth beyond 2030,” CEO Soriot said in a statement. At its investor day in May, the company announced it aimed to grow revenue by about 75 per cent to $80 billion by 2030, citing the expected launch of 20 new medicines and growth in its cancer, biopharmaceuticals and rare disease portfolio. The company has been investing in building its pipeline and marketing new launches. In May, AstraZeneca said that a plant in Qingdao, China, will help it build a distinct local supply chain to serve the Chinese market, its second largest globally. Total revenue rose 17 per cent on a constant-currency basis to $12.94 billion for the three months ended June, while core earnings came in at $1.98 per share, compared with analysts’ average expectation of $12.6 billion and $1.98 per share, respectively, according to a company-compiled consensus. Source: Pharma