August 2024

August 24,2024 New Delhi: Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Jagat Prakash Nadda, inaugurated the National Medical Register (NMR) Portal of the National Medical Commission (NMC) for the registration of all eligible MBBS doctors in India, according to an official statement from the ministry. Union Minister of State (MoS) Anupriya Patel attended the meeting, while Union MoS Prataprao Jadhav participated virtually. The National Medical Register (NMR) is mandated under Section 31 of the NMC Act, 2019, which states that the Ethics & Medical Registration Board (EMRB) of NMC shall maintain a National Register in electronic form containing the names, addresses, and all recognised qualifications of licenced medical practitioners. The NMR will serve as a comprehensive and dynamic database for all allopathic (MBBS)-registered doctors in India. Its uniqueness lies in its linkage to the Aadhaar ID of the doctors, ensuring the authenticity of the individual. Speaking at the event, Nadda commended the NMC and the National Health Authority (NHA) for their efforts in creating the National Medical Register, which he described as a comprehensive and dynamic database for all allopathic (MBBS) registered doctors in India. He stated, “The Prime Minister’s vision is to make India digitally advanced, and this can only be achieved if the health ecosystem is also digitally robust. The National Medical Register is a much-awaited step in this direction, strengthening the digital healthcare ecosystem and ensuring quality healthcare for the people of India.” Nadda added that the National Medical Register would be continuously upgraded and improved through enhancements to the registration process on the portal. Highlighting the role of the State Medical Councils (SMCs), Nadda said, “The State Medical Councils are key stakeholders in developing and maintaining the National Medical Register and facilitating the registration process.” He urged the SMCs to actively participate and expedite the registration process, as their efforts in authentication would be crucial to the success of the NMR. He also mentioned that the government is moving towards launching a similar register for paramedics and other healthcare professionals. Terming the launch of the NMR a “momentous occasion,” Union MoS Anupriya Patel said, “The need for the National Medical Register has been felt for a long time. The NMR is important, as authentic data on doctors across the country is crucial. The existing data on doctors is scattered, requiring revision and updating, and the NMR portal will ensure this. The easy registration process will help maintain authentic data, which is vital as India strives to create a robust digital health ecosystem. The digital registry of doctors will be an essential pillar for that.” Union MoS Prataprao Jadhav highlighted the importance of the NMR, stating, “The NMR portal will ensure dynamic, authentic, and consolidated data on doctors in the country. The speedy and easy registration process on the portal will facilitate timely updates of the data. This will lead to greater transparency and quality among medical professionals, ensuring public trust in the healthcare system by providing verified information in a transparent manner. The government, under the vision of the Prime Minister of ‘Reform, Perform, and Transform,’ is committed to providing quality healthcare to the people, and the launch of the NMR is a step in that direction.” Union Health Secretary Apurva Chandra added, “Until now, there has been a lack of comprehensive data that could provide a detailed and holistic picture of aspects like the total number of doctors in the country, those who have left the country, those who have lost their licences to practice, or the numbers and details of doctors who have passed away. The launch of the NMR will provide data on more than 13 lakh doctors.” Chandra further stated that the NMR would be part of the Healthcare Professional Registry under the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission and would contain all the details of medical professionals. The NMR will be a comprehensive and dynamic database for all allopathic (MBBS) registered doctors in India, linked to the Aadhaar ID of the doctors, ensuring their authenticity. The entire registration process for the NMR is straightforward and online. All medical colleges/institutions, including Institutes of National Importance (INIs) and SMCs, are interconnected on the portal. Some data will be visible to the public, while other information will be accessible only to the Ethics & Medical Registration Board (EMRB) of the National Medical Commission (NMC), State Medical Councils (SMCs), the National Board of Examinations (NBE), medical institutions, and registered medical practitioners, as per their requirements. Additional details, like registration and qualification credentials, can be manually entered and submitted through the portal. Following this, the application is automatically forwarded to the respective State Medical Council for verification. The SMC would then forward the application to the relevant college or institute for further review. Upon successful verification by the State Medical Council, the application is sent to the National Medical Commission. After the NMC’s verification, a unique NMR ID would be issued. During this process, doctors can opt to join the Healthcare Provider Registry, linking them to the broader digital healthcare ecosystem. Through this portal, all stakeholders, including SMCs and educational institutions, can log in and verify applications from a single platform. The NMR portal offers a variety of features, including the ability to add additional qualifications, track applications, suspend licences, and issue NMR ID cards and digital doctor certificates. The NHA will further support the development of the NMR, including the future release of an enhanced version of the portal. This will include direct integration with the next software, continuing medical education, and credit points. All MBBS doctors already registered on the Indian Medical Register (IMR) must register again on the NMR of the NMC. To begin the registration process, doctors must have a digital copy of their MBBS degree certificate, the registration certificate from the State Medical Council/Medical Council of India where they first registered, and their Aadhaar number ready. Source: Healthworld

August 23,2024 New Delhi: Finding doctors protesting R G Kar hospital rape-murder incident not heeding to its appeal to resume duties, the SC on Thursday protected them against any coercive action for absenting from duty but refused to direct authorities to give them full attendance for the 11-day period when they did not report to the hospitals. Resident doctors from across the country, including AIIMS Delhi and other reputed govt hospitals, through counsel complained to a bench of Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud, and Justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra that authorities are refusing to grant them attendance for the protest-linked absence and claimed that some are even not allowing them to sit for the examinations. The bench said, “On Aug 20 we assured that the resident doctors’ concern is receiving the highest attention from the Supreme Court. We constituted a national task force to find solutions to your problems. If a patient misses one date due to absence of a doctor in hospitals like AIIMS, he gets the next slot after two years. Who suffers, it is the poor patients.” “If they (resident doctors) are not on duty, they will be marked absent. The law will take its course. Ask them to return to duty and we will ensure that no adverse action is taken against them,” the bench said. It also assured the resident doctors that their representatives would be heard by the National Task Force while formulating the national action plan for the safety of doctors. Source: Healthworld

August 24,2024 New Delhi: The first 10,000 Mpox vaccines are expected to reach Africa next week. According to Reuters, the Mpox virus continues to spread rapidly, causing a deadly outbreak in parts of the continent that has afflicted people for decades. Mpox is a viral infection that causes flu-like symptoms and pus-filled lesions. The virus has long affected Africa, but a new strain, clade Ib, has recently heightened global concerns. The World Health Organisation (WHO) declared it a global health emergency on August 14 after cases started to spread from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to nearby countries. Despite this, Africa has faced significant delays in receiving vaccines, while over 70 countries outside the continent have had access for months. This slow response has started debates over global health inequalities, particularly in vaccine distribution. According to health officials and scientists, the necessary steps to ensure vaccine availability in Africa could have started much earlier. The delays are partly caused due to bureaucratic obstacles. The WHO only began the formal process of making vaccines available to low-income countries this month, even though it could have started years ago. In the meantime, wealthier nations have provided the vaccines that Africa is finally beginning to receive. The US donated the first 10,000 vaccines arriving in Africa next week, rather than the UN. These Bavarian Nordic vaccines cost around $100 per dose, making them unaffordable for many African countries. Another vaccine, produced by Japan’s KM Biologics, remains unaffordable as well. Helen Rees, a member of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)’s Mpox emergency committee said, ‘It’s outrageous that Africa is once again left behind after struggling during the COVID pandemic’. In 2022, a different Mpox strain spread outside Africa and vaccines were distributed rapidly in over 70 high- and middle-income countries. More than 1.2 million people in the US have since received vaccines. However, in Africa, no vaccines have been available outside clinical trials, largely due to delays in WHO approval. Countries like the DRC have been hit hardest by the outbreak. Since January, the DRC has reported over 27,000 suspected cases and 1,100 deaths, mostly among children. However, the first vaccines are being shipped to Nigeria, which has reported 786 cases this year. Delays in vaccine distribution majorly arise due to administrative issues in African countries, which have struggled to request vaccines from Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. Congo, for instance, only approved the two main vaccines in June and has yet to request vaccine supplies officially. In addition, challenges such as the need to store the vaccines at -20°C, further complicate the process. Children are particularly vulnerable to Mpox. In eastern Congo, seven-year-old Sagesse Hakizimana is one of more than 100 children infected by the virus. His mother, Elisabeth Furaha, said, “We need a vaccine for this disease. It weakens our children.” As the vaccines begin to arrive, there remain concerns about how to best deploy them. Bavarian Nordic’s vaccine is approved only for adults, while KM Biologics’ vaccine, which can be given to children, is more complicated to administer. Public health experts are still debating which groups should be prioritised for vaccination. Source: Healthworld

August 24,2024 London: The U.S. government will provide free COVID-19 tests by mail starting in late September, as it kicks off a fall campaign urging eligible Americans to get vaccinated against COVID, flu and RSV, health officials said on Friday. Households can order up to four free tests through COVIDTests.gov, officials from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Department of Health and Human Services said at a press briefing. The popular free testing program has had several rounds since it started in January 2022. This year, the government campaign is timed to the fall and winter seasons, when temperatures drop and people stay indoors more, Dawn O’Connell, assistant secretary for preparedness and response at the HHS said. COVID has been on the rise this summer, with hospitalisations jumping from 1.1 per 100,000 people at the beginning of May, to 4.4 at the beginning of August. The number of deaths has also risen during that period. Health officials said even though previous vaccines and infection provide some immunity, people should get the updated shots, approved on Thursday, and also test. “The virus continues to change faster than the flu virus,” said U.S. CDC Director Mandy Cohen. “The severity of COVID looks more similar to flu, but if you still put head-to-head… in terms of what is hospitalising more folks and what is killing more folks, COVID is being (a) more dangerous virus than flu,” Cohen said. She also said COVID was now endemic, but there were tools to protect people. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved updated mRNA COVID vaccines on Thursday that target a recently circulating variant, in order to better protect the population heading into cold weather. The updated vaccines include those made by Pfizer , its German partner BioNTech and Moderna . The FDA did not clear Novavax’s traditional protein-based shot and is still reviewing it. (Reporting by Manas Mishra and Mariam Sunny in Bengaluru, Julie Steenhuysen in Chicago; Editing by Pooja Desai) Source: Healthworld

August 24,2024 Mumbai: A 14-bed ward has been reserved at Seven Hills Hospital in Maharashtra’s Mumbai as a precautionary measure regarding Monkeypox infection. There is no single case of monkeypox in the Mumbai metropolitan area, however, measures were taken by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) as directed by the government. The Public Health Department of Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation has been coordinating with the Health Information Room of the International Airport. The cases of monkeypox have been reported in Pakistan and Sweden. Considering the number of foreign visitors in the Mumbai metropolis, more precautions have been taken. No case of ‘monkeypox’ infection has been reported in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation area yet. Speaking to ANI, Assistant Medical Superintendent Dr Pradnya Pawar said, “We have set up 14 isolation beds. We have dedicated this ward to monkeypox. We also have an ICU for monkeypox. If a monkeypox suspect with serious complications comes in, we will admit him/her there. In India, we have not seen any cases but it is assumed that there can be cases. The main symptoms are rashes, fever, cough, and soar throat. A monkeypox patient can have asymptomatic symptoms.” Earlier on, former Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Prithviraj Chavan, has called for proactive measures to implement testing and quarantine facilities at Mumbai Airport in response to the global spread of the monkeypox (Mpox) virus. In a letter to the state’s Chief Minister, Eknath Shinde, Chavan recommended the immediate implementation of testing and quarantine facilities at Mumbai Airport for passengers arriving from high-incidence countries, a measure that was inadequately enforced during the COVID-19 pandemic. The World Health Organisation (WHO) declared Mpox a public health emergency of international concern. This decision comes amid a rapid surge in the spread of the disease in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and its detection in neighbouring countries. Pakistan’s federal health ministry confirmed the country’s first Mpox case. On August 16, the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) health department confirmed two more Mpox cases in the province, as reported by the Express Tribune. The Swedish government also confirmed its first case of Mpox, marking the first case of the variant outside Africa, according to Al Jazeera. Source: Healthworld

August 24,2024 New Delhi: Following the recent ban on 156 drugs, the Government of India is now considering banning 34 additional multivitamins, according to sources. “34 multivitamins are under evaluation based on reviews,” sources said. The sources also mentioned that under new regulations, states can no longer approve drug combinations. “Based on the recommendations of the DTAB sub-committee, the Central Government recently prohibited 156 Fixed-Dose Combinations (FDCs),” sources added. “As per the first assessment report of the Professor Kokate committee, constituted by the Central Government to examine FDCs licensed by state authorities without the permission of the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI), several FDCs were declared irrational. However, these notifications were challenged in court, and the matter was referred to the DTAB,” sources said. Sources indicated that these drugs are banned based on concerns about safety and efficacy. The Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance (IPA) has endorsed the government’s decision. Sudarshan Jain, Secretary General of the IPA, told ANI, “This has been ongoing for many years, with committees such as the Kokate Committee and the Nilima Kshirsagar Committee reviewing the matter extensively. This is a right step taken in the interest of patients, considering all aspects.” When asked about the impact on pharmaceutical companies, Jain said, “They have been given the opportunity to provide data supporting their products. Those with adequate supporting data will continue, while companies lacking such data will have to withdraw their products.” The list of banned drugs includes medications used for hair treatments, antiparasitic purposes, skincare, and anti-allergic treatments. These medicines are fixed-dose combination (FDC) drugs, also known as cocktail drugs, which combine more than one drug into a single pill. According to a Gazette notification issued by the government announcing the ban, “The matter was examined by an Expert Committee appointed by the Central Government, which reviewed the entire issue thoroughly and deemed these FDCs irrational. The Drugs Technical Advisory Board also examined these FDCs and recommended that there is no therapeutic justification for the ingredients contained in them, and they may pose risks to human beings.” The notification further stated, “In the larger public interest, it is necessary to prohibit the manufacture, sale, or distribution of these FDCs under Section 26A of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940. Based on the recommendations of the Drugs Technical Advisory Board, the Central Government is satisfied that it is necessary and expedient in the public interest to prohibit the manufacture for sale, sale, and distribution for human use of the said drugs in the country.” Among the banned combinations is the FDC of Amylase + Protease + Glucoamylase + Pectinase + Alpha Galactosidase + Lactase + Beta-Gluconase + Cellulase + Lipase + Bromelain + Xylanase + Hemicellulase + Malt diastase + Invertase + Papain, which has been prohibited with immediate effect. Mefenamic Acid + Paracetamol Injection is likely to pose a risk to human beings and is also prohibited. Additionally, Ergotamine tartrate + Caffeine + Paracetamol + Prochlorperazine maleate has also been prohibited with immediate effect. Source: Healthworld

August 24,2024 New Delhi: The health insurance sector may face challenges in the coming months due to rising claims and increased competition, particularly in the retail sector, highlighted a report by Jefferies. “Health (approx. 35 per cent of mix) can see pressure in its retail segment from rising claims frequency and elevated competition” the report stated. The report indicated that India’s non-life insurance sector is experiencing significant shifts, the health insurance segment may face challenges as healthcare costs continue to rise and more consumers claim their insurance, and insurers are grappling with increased payouts. This trend could squeeze margins and put pressure on insurers to find ways to manage costs while remaining competitive in the market. However, for the motor insurance segment, the report draws a promising picture and added that it is entering a promising multi-year upcycle. This positive momentum is expected to benefit large private insurers of the motor segment, who are well-positioned to capitalise on these trends. “Initiate on Non-Life Insurers Large pvt. insurers are set to gain from multi-year upcycle in motor (approx. 35 per cent of premium mix) led by premiumisation of underlying auto mix and moderating competitive intensity” the report mentioned. The report also added that the motor insurance segment in India is estimated to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 14 per cent over the financial years 2024 to 2027. The key driver behind this growth is the ongoing shift in the automobile market towards higher-value vehicles. Over the past three years, the average selling price (ASP) of passenger vehicles (PVs) has increased by 41 per cent, reflecting a move towards premium segments. This trend is expected to continue, benefiting motor insurance renewals, which account for 60-70 per cent of the motor insurance premium mix. “Motor segment amidst a multi-year upcycle (est. 14 pc CAGR over FY24-27E) as renewals (60-70 pc of premium mix) will continue to benefit from the underlying change in auto mix towards premium high-value segments (ASP of PV up +41pc in last 3 yrs)” the report added. Despite these challenges, the report mentioned that the broader non-life insurance market in India remains significantly underpenetrated, with insurance premiums representing only about 1 per cent of the country’s GDP. This is relatively low compared to global peers, where non-life insurance to GDP ratios range between 2 per cent and 4 per cent. However, the Indian non-life insurance market has shown steady growth, with gross premiums expanding at a CAGR of 12 per cent over the past five years, reaching Rs 2.8 trillion (approximately USD 35 billion). Notably, the private sector has outpaced the overall market. “India remains an under-penetrated market with non-life insurance to GDP at approx. 1 pc (vs 2-4 pc for global peers). Gross premiums have expanded at 12 pc CAGR over the last 5 years to Rs2.8tn (approx. USD 35bn) with the private sector growing faster at 15 pc CAGR and improving its market share to 68 pc (from 57 pc)” said Jefferies in the report. Despite these challenges, the overall insurance market in India remains underpenetrated, offering significant long-term growth potential for insurers who can navigate these dynamics effectively. Source: Healthworld

August 26,2024 New Delhi: The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the BioE3 policy–Biotechnology for Economy, Environment, and Employment–aimed at fostering high-performance biomanufacturing, on Saturday. The policy is designed to supplement, rather than replace, traditional supply methods with biotechnological solutions to meet the demands of a developed India by 2047. “Industrial revolutions have historically transformed human activities, and the coming years present an opportune moment for the industrialisation of biology. It is crucial to adopt new technologies to drive GDP growth, create new employment opportunities, and benefit the environment. The BioE3 policy is a forward-looking initiative that positions India as a potential global leader in this next revolution,” officials stated on Sunday. The policy will accelerate technological development and commercialisation by establishing biomanufacturing facilities, bio-AI hubs, and biofoundries. On the social media platform X, the Department of Biotechnology highlighted the policy’s innovative approach. “High-performance biomanufacturing can fundamentally transform the global economy from today’s consumptive and unsustainable manufacturing paradigm to one based on regenerative principles,” the department stated. Government data reveals that between 1950 and 2021, 8.7 billion tonnes of plastic were produced, with only 11 percent recycled. This policy aims to introduce more sophisticated recycling processes, smarter materials, and biomanufacturing techniques to reimagine the future and address challenges in food, climate, energy, chemicals, and health. The policy outlines three implementation strategies: discovery and integrated research networks, bridging existing gaps, and establishing bio-enabler hubs. The policy envisions a future that is more sustainable, innovative, and responsive to global challenges like climate change, unsustainable material consumption, and waste generation. It also aims to revolutionise the production of everything from medicines to biomaterials. “Broadly, the policy will also support the development of an integrated chemical and biological platform for the on-demand production of nutritious, palatable, and safe food from minimal resources, benefiting disaster relief efforts and space exploration,” officials added. A top source informed that 21 ministries have approved the policy, which is expected to take shape by December of this year. Additionally, over 8,000 biotechnological startups will be involved, generating more job opportunities, contributing to GDP growth, and promoting sustainability. (ANI) Source: Pharma

August 26,2024 Thiruvananthapuram: Health minister Veena George has said that the Centre has sanctioned Rs 69.35cr under the National Health Mission (2024-25) for the development activities of healthcare institutions in the state. She said more projects have been approved, including construction work worth Rs 69.35L to upgrade infrastructure of healthcare institutions. Approval has been given for the development activities of 29 healthcare institutions, she said. These include Rs 6.16cr for the construction of a 50-bed mother and childcare centre at Kanjirappally General Hospital in Kottayam; Rs 4.70cr each for constructing warehouses in Kollam and Kozhikode; Rs 4.5cr for building new OP and IP blocks at Tata Hospital in Kasaragod; Rs 3.33cr for a skill lab and training centre in Malappuram; and Rs 3.87cr for renovating the OP block and casualty at Palluruthy Taluk Hospital. Additionally, Rs 3cr has been approved for strengthening the diagnostic block at Pathanamthitta General Hospital; Rs 1.70cr for constructing staff quarters at Edamalakudy in Idukki; and Rs 3cr to enhance the gynaecology department at Idukki District Hospital. As much as Rs 1.50cr is allocated for the paediatric ward at Perinthalmanna District Hospital in Malappuram and for strengthening the IP block at Vythiri Hospital in Wayanad; Rs 2.10cr for the casualty block at Pazhayangadi Hospital in Kannur; and Rs 3.11cr for renovating the operation theatre at Kanhangad District Hospital in Kasaragod. George said these projects are in addition to the ongoing development activities in hospitals. Source: Healthworld

August 14,2024 New Delhi: The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and Panacea Biotec have initiated the Phase 3 clinical trial for DengiAll, an indigenous tetravalent dengue vaccine developed in India. This trial marks a significant milestone in the nation’s efforts to combat dengue, a disease for which no antiviral treatment or licensed vaccine currently exists in the country. The Phase 3 trial will be conducted at 19 sites across 18 States and Union Territories, involving more than 10,335 healthy adult participants. The participants will be followed for two years, with the first vaccination administered at the Pandit Bhagwat Dayal Sharma Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences (PGIMS) in Rohtak. The challenge in developing an effective dengue vaccine lies in achieving good efficacy against all four serotypes of the virus, which are known to circulate or co-circulate in many regions. The successful development of this vaccine could have a profound impact on public health in India. Speaking about the indigenous dengue vaccine, Union Minister of Health & Family Welfare, J.P. Nadda, said, “The initiation of this Phase 3 clinical trial for India’s first indigenous dengue vaccine marks a critical advancement in our fight against dengue. Through this collaboration between ICMR and Panacea Biotec, we are not only taking a step towards ensuring the health and well-being of our people but also reinforcing our vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat in the healthcare sector.” The tetravalent dengue vaccine strain (TV003/TV005), initially developed by the NIH, has shown promising results worldwide, and the Indian formulation’s earlier trials in 2018-19 further strengthen the hope for a successful outcome in this critical Phase 3 trial. Source: Pharma