Team JGJ

Sep 07, 2024 A simple regulatory remedy would be for the apex court to mandate state drug controllers to disclose all file- notings that form the basis of approval of “patent and proprietary” Ayush drugs For over two years now, the Supreme Court has been hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by the Indian Medical Association (IMA), on misleading advertisements made by Patanjali regarding its Ayurvedic products. The Ayurvedic industry poses a multi-dimensional challenge to public health in India today. It is important for both the Supreme Court and the lawyers advising it to be aware of the historical challenges in regulating the health care industry, lest they spend time reinventing the wheel. Traditionally, there are five levers to regulate the pharmaceutical industry: Advertising, safety, efficacy, standardisation, and good manufacturing practices. The Ayush (Ayurvedic, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, and Homoeopathy) industry today is subject to only the first lever — that is, its advertising is regulated. The common explanation offered by the Ayush industry to evade providing data on the safety and efficacy of their products is that these have been used for centuries by many satisfied consumers. Except, this argument is not true on three counts. First, it is well known that one particular branch of Ayurveda encourages the use of heavy metals, which is harmful to humans. There are well-researched and peer-reviewed studies published in the Journal oftheAmerican Medical Association (JAMA) as far back as 2004 that document a heavy-metal problem with Ayurvedic drugs. Other studies have focussed specifically on lead poisoning in Indian-origin patients known to consume Ayurvedic products. Second, most Ayush products sold in India are classified as “patent and proprietary” — a category introduced via an amendment to the Drugs and Cosmetics Act (D&C Act) in 1982. These products, created with new ingredients that can’t be traced to the old texts from where the industry generally draws its legitimacy, are practically “new drugs.” When this category was created, there was no requirement that these products be tested to establish their safety and efficacy. In 2010, the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules were amended to introduce Rule 158B, which required the industry to provide evidence of safety and efficacy. However, there was a catch. It did not require the industry to collect such evidence through standards that are applicable to modern medicine, for example, double-blinded, randomised clinical trials. Instead, it prescribed “pilot studies” as the preferred methodology, and nobody really knows what that meant. The Ayush ministry first said that it meant “clinical trial” before changing its mind in 2018 and clarifying that no “clinical trials” were required for Ayush products. Third, India does not have a robust pharmacovigilance system to monitor adverse events as a result of Ayush products. In short, nobody has been keeping an eye on the adverse events faced by patients consuming Ayush products. Individual doctors often publish case studies, but this a poor proxy for a systematic pharmacovigilance programme that tracks adverse events resulting from use of these products. Since the Ayush industry has a licence to sell products without demonstrating any evidence of safety or efficacy, it is critical to exercise the only lever that can restrain the excesses of the industry, namely advertising regulations. However, the Ayush ministry deleted Rule 170 of the D&C Rules during the pendency of the IMA PIL in July 2024. The history of Rule 170 of the D&C Act is crucial in understanding the modus operandiof the Ayush industry. Its origin can be traced back to continuous pressure piled on the Ayush ministry by the parliamentary standing committee (PSC) on health over the brazen claims being made by the Ayush industry. In four different reports tabled in 2013, 2015, 2016, and 2018, the PSC repeatedly flagged this issue, pointing out that the existing law — Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act — regarding advertising of drugs was not effective in checking the claims of the Ayush industry, through advertisements that boasted of drugs that could cure cancer, AIDS, and diabetes. After repeated pressure from the PSC, the Ayush ministry first floated the idea of Rule 170 on April 4, 2016, when it published a draft of the rule in the Gazette of India, inviting public feedback. This proposed draft created an ex-ante mechanism — the industry needed to seek permission for its advertisements from regulators before using them in their marketing campaigns. The regulator was to verify whether the advertisement made misleading claims about the effectiveness of the drug. For 37 medical conditions, it prohibited any advertisement by the industry. The draft Rule 170 faced immense pushback from the industry. It did not get notified for years; the PSC continued to pile pressure on the Ayush ministry, questioning its “laidback” approach in a report tabled in 2018. Finally, on December 21, 2018, the ministry notified it into law. In early 2019, the Ayush industry challenged the constitutionality of the rule before three different high courts, claiming it infringed on their freedom of speech. This is, at best, a questionable claim given India has a censorship regime for cinema and the fact that, in 1954, in a landmark case lost by the Ayush industry, the Supreme Court ruled that the fundamental right to speech did not include commercial speech such as advertisements. In any event, the legality of Rule 170 should have been swiftly decided by the high courts. Instead, the high courts stayed the rule without deciding on the matter. As a result, it was never enforced against the industry. Fast forward to the IMA’s PIL, where the issue of Rule 170 and the lack of its enforcement came up before the court. The Ayush ministry issued a notification on July 2, 2024, while the case was sub judice, omitting Rule 170 from the law. A rule that was created to hold the industry accountable was removed from the law without ever being enforced. The Supreme Court has stayed the deletion of the rule, but this stay is an untenable remedy in the

Sep 6, 2024 New Delhi: To rid the country of TB by 2025, five years ahead of the global target for eliminating the disease under the Sustainable Development Goals, the Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare has approved the introduction of the BPaLM regimen — a novel treatment for multi-drug- resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) under its National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP)—as a highly effective and shorter treatment option. This regimen includes a new anti-TB drug, namely Pretomanid, in combination with Bedaquiline & Linezolid (with/without Moxifloxacin). Pretomanid has earlier been approved & licenced for use in India by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO). The BPaLM regimen, which consists of a four-drug combination— Bedaquiline, Pretomanid, Linezolid, and Moxifloxacin—has been proven to be safe, more effective, and a quicker treatment option than the previous MDR-TB treatment procedure. While traditional MDR-TB treatments can last up to 20 months with severe side effects, the BPaLM regimen can cure drug-resistant TB in just six months with a high treatment success rate. India’s 75,000 drug-resistant TB patients will now be able to avail benefit of this shorter regimen. With the other advantages, there will be an overall saving in cost. The Department of Health & Family Welfare, in consultation with the Department of Health Research, ensured the validation of this new TB treatment regimen that witnessed a thorough review of evidences by in- country subject experts. The Department of Health & Family Welfare has also got a Health Technology Assessment done through the Department of Health Research to ensure that this MDR-TB treatment option is safe and cost-effective. This move by the Government of India is expected to significantly boost the country’s progress towards achieving its national goal of ending T B. A country-wide time-bound rollout plan of the BPaLM regimen is being prepared by the Central TB Division of the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare in consultation with States/UTs, which includes rigorous capacity building of health professionals for safe administration of the new regimen.

Sep 11, 2024 The pharma major announced that its stepdown subsidiary, Eugia Steriles received its first product approval from the United States Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) for Lidocaine Hydrochloride injection. Lidocaine is a local anesthetic (numbing medication) that is used to numb an area of your body to help reduce pain or discomfort caused by invasive medical procedures such as surgery, needle punctures, or insertion of a catheter or breathing tube. The new injectable facility of Eugia Steriles (a 100% subsidiary of Eugia Pharma Specialities and a stepdown subsidiary of the company), situated at Parawada Mandal, Anakapalli district, Andhra Pradesh, which was inspected by the US FDA from 28 March 2024 to 5 April 2024, has now received its first product approval from the US FDA for Lidocaine Hydrochloride injection, USP, 1% (10 mg/mL) and 2% (20 mg/mL), Aurobindo Pharma stated. The sANDA was submitted as Prior Approval Supplement for addition of an alternate drug product manufacturing, labeling, packaging, and testing facility. Aurobindo Pharma is principally engaged in manufacturing and marketing of active pharmaceutical ingredients, generic pharmaceuticals and related services. The pharma major reported 61.05% jump in consolidated net profit to Rs 919.22 crore on a 9.82% rise in revenue from operations to Rs 7,457.65 crore in QI FY25 over QI FY24. Source: Business Standard

Sep 11, 2024 The decision follows the company’s claims that its drops could reduce the dependency on reading glasses for individuals suffering from presbyopia The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), under the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), has suspended ENTOD Pharmaceuticals Ltd’s licence to manufacture and market Pilocarpine Hydrochloride Ophthalmic Solution USP 1.25% w/v, branded as PresVu. This action follows allegations of misleading claims related to the treatment of presbyopia, an age-related vision condition. According to the order, ENTOD Pharmaceuticals had received approval on 20 August 2024 to produce and market the eye drops for managing presbyopia in adults. However, a notice dated 4 September 2024 highlighted several unapproved claims made by the company in media releases. The DGHS identified three specific instances where ENTOD allegedly overstated the product’s capabilities, including claims that the eye drops could reduce the need for reading glasses and provide a non- invasive option to improve near vision within 15 minutes. The regulator clarified that these claims were not authorised, potentially misleading the public. In response, ENTOD Pharmaceuticals defended its actions, stating that the claims were based on clinical trials and aligned with routine industry practices. “All facts disclosed to the media are strictly on the basis of recent DCGI approval and clinical trials,” said Nikhil K Masurkar, CEO of ENTOD Pharmaceuticals. The company also noted that similar formulations have been marketed in the United States without regulatory issues. Despite the company’s defence, the DGHS, citing concerns for public interest, suspended the product’s licence under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940. “The permission issued on 20.08.2024 is hereby suspended until further order,” stated Dr Rajeev Singh Raghuvanshi, Drugs Controller General (India). ENTOD Pharmaceuticals has announced plans to challenge the suspension in court, arguing that the decision hinders innovation in the Indian pharmaceutical sector. ENTOD plans to challenge the suspension in court, characterizing the DCGl’s action as “unjust.” Masurkar added, “This fight will not only allow innovative medicines in India but also encourage other MSME pharmaceutical companies to continue their research.” BT Source: Business Today

Sep 7, 2024 New Delhi: The government has asked all medical devices associations to adopt a uniform code for marketing practices similar to the one for pharmaceuticals companies, prohibiting them from organising workshops abroad for healthcare professionals and offering them hotel stay, expensive cuisine or monetary grants. As part of its bid to check unethical practices in the pharma industry, the Department of Pharmaceuticals (DOP) has asked medical devices companie to upload the Uniform Code for Marketing Practices in Medical Devices (UCMPMD) 2024 on their website along with the detailed procedure for lodging of complaints with link to the UCMPMD portal of the department. It also asked companies to constitute an Ethics Committee for Marketing Practices in Medical Devices (ECMPMD). “Very welcome and long awaited,” said Rajiv Nath, forum coordinator at the Association of Indian Medical Devices Industry (AIMED). “It (the code) is nicely tweaked for medical devices separately from the code for the pharmaceutical industry.” According to the DOP notice, in exercise of the powers conferred by Para 14.1 of the UCMPMD, the department requires disclosure from medical devices companies of particulars related to distribution of evaluation samples and expenses incurred on continuing medical education, continuing professional development, conferences, workshops, trainings, seminars, etc.

Aug 01, 2024 Referring to the memo, the minister said, “Levying GST on life insurance premiums amounts to levying tax on the uncertainties of life. The Union feels that the person who covers the risk of life’s uncertainties to give protection to the family should not be levied tax on the premiums to purchase cover against this risk.” New Delhi: Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari has requested Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to withdraw the IS per cent goods and sewices tax (GST) on life and medical insurance premiums. In his letter to the Finance Minister, Gadkari raised concerns of the Nagpur Division Life Insurance Corporation Employees Union, which had submitted to him a memorandum regarding the issues of the insurance industrY. Referring to the memo, the minister said, “Levying GST on life insurance premiums amounts to levying tax on the unceltainties of life. The Union feels that the person who covers the risk of life’s uncertainties to give protection to the family should not be levied tax on the premiums to purchase cover against this risk.” Further, he added that the main issue raised by the Union is related to the withdrawal of GST on life and medical insurance premiums. Gadkari also pointed out that the Union has also raised issues related to differential treatment to savings through Life Insurance, re-introduction of income tax deduction for health insurance premiums and consolidation of public sector general insurance companies. Both life insurance and medical insurance premiums are subject to an IS per cent GST rate. He further said, “Similarly, the IS per cent GST on medical insurance premiums is proving to be a deterrent for the growth of this segment of business which is socially necessary.” “In view of the above, you are requested to consider the suggestion of withdrawal of GST on life and medical insurance premiums on priority as it becomes cumbersome for senior citizens as per rules with clue verification,” he said. Source: Economic Times

Aug 27, 2024 The high OOP expenditure in India leads to a situation where consumers, often less aware and not backed by government support, face rising medicine prices. This creates a perverse incentive structure in the market and thus despite being a major producer of generics, medicines in India are often sold under brand names, preventing consumers from benefiting from the lower costs of generics. Healthcare expenditure is a critical indicator of a country’s commitment to its citizens’ well-being. India’s per capita government healthcare expenditure is approximately $83 as of 2023, reflecting thechallenges in providing adequate public healthcare services. Despite being known for its generic drug production, the high OOP expenditure, about 48.2 per cent of total healthcare spending, indicates that a significant portion of healthcare costs are borne by individuals. The USA leads with the highest per capita government healthcare expenditure at approximately $12,318 in 2021 and with a per capita government expenditure of around $583, China has made substantial investments in healthcare infrastructure. India stands similar to Bangladesh on per capita basis. Issues in the Indian Healthcare System The high OOP expenditure in India leads to a situation where consumers, often less aware and not backed by government support, face rising medicine prices. This creates a perverse incentive structure in the market and thus despite being a major producer of generics, medicines in India are often sold under brand names, preventing consumers from benefiting from the lower costs of generics. Doctors in India face a big dilemma. They often prefer prescribing branded generics over non-brancled generics due to concerns about quality. This trust in branded generics, which involves higher marketing costs, leads to higher medicine prices for consumers. So even if doctors want to write generics to consumers to provide them with affordable options, they restrict themselves to do so. Role of Government For a country with a population of around 1.5 billion, making swift changes in healthcare policy is challenging. However, the Indian government has taken steps to improve healthcare affordability, such as the Ayushman Bharat scheme. Yet, more rapid and structural changes are necessary. Recommendations: 1. Raise Manufacturing Standards: Ensure that all domestic pharmaceutical manufacturers meet the highest quality standards, similar to those enforced by the US FDA. This will ensure and entrust doctors that every medicine their patients take is of highest quality 1. Mandate Generic Prescriptions: With increasing the standards of the domestic manufacturing, the government can then implement laws requiring doctors to prescribe generics, assuring them of the quality of all medicines manufactured in India. Once the quality is assured there will be much higher buying from doctors fraternity on adoption of generics. 1. Involve Private Sector: Until domestic manufacturing standards are uniformly high, allow reputable private companies to sell generic alternatives like they have allowed government-sanctioned channels like Jan Aushadhi stores. Newer licensing and compliance laws can be made here to ensure the quality dispense is top notch. Conclusion: India’s healthcare system is at a crossroads. While public healthcare expenditure has increased from 1.6 per cent of GDP in FY 21 to 2.2 per cent in FY22, per capita spending remains low compared to countries like China and the USA. To reduce the financial burden on its citizens and make healthcare more accessible, India must continue to improve the quality of its generic medicines and ensure that these savings are passed on to consumers. Source: Economic Times

Aug 20, 2024 To elevate India’s position in the global pharmaceutical sector, the Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC), in collaboration with the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare and the Ministry of External Affairs, hosted an international delegation of policymakers and drug regulators from 15 countries. New Delhi: Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare and Chemicals and Fertilisers, JP Nadda inaugurated the ‘First Policy Makers’ Fomm’, here on Monday, which will run until August 22. To elevate India’s position in the global pharmaceutical sector, the Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC), in collaboration with the Minist1Y of Health & Family Welfare and the Ministry of External Affairs, hosted an international delegation of policymakers and chug regulators from 15 countries. The fomm featured the launch of innovative digital platforms for pharmacopoeia and drug safety monitoring. Underscoring India’s commitment to expanding the global recognition of the Indian Pharmacopoeia (IP), the fontm witnessed palticipation from various countries, including Burkina Faso, Equatorial Guinea, Ghana, Guyana, Jamaica, Lao PDR, Lebanon, Malawi, Mozambique, Nauru, Nicaragua, Sri Lanka, Syria, Uganda and Zambia. The forum aims to foster meaningful discussions on the recognition of the IP and the implementation of India’s flagship Pradhan Mantri Bhaltiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP), popularly known as the Janaushadhi Scheme. Welcoming the delegates from drug regulatory authorities and the health ministries from Latin American, African, Southeast Asian, and Pacific regions participating in the programme, Nadda stated that “this fontm will provide an excellent oppcntunity to exchange views on the safety, efficacy, and quality of medical pharmaceutical products amongst the palticipating countries that will ensure that we uphold the highest standards for the benefit of the patients”. He added that “India has long been identified as the ‘pharmacy of the world’. We are proud that our generic drugs help treat diseases like malaria, HIV/AIDS, and tuberculosis, which are usually considered the health problems of developing countries.” Emphasising India’s commitment towards the eradication of these diseases, Nadda stated that “this contribution underscores India’s commitment to global health and its responsibility in bridging the healthcare gap in developing nations.”. He also highlighted that “since administering drugs for HIV-AIDS is very costly and it became a burden for developing nations, the Indian manufacturers came fonvard and took the lead in providing effective and affordable chugs”. Nadda remarked, “India has made remarkable progress in global health diplomacy and pharmaceutical leadership through various initiatives and international collaborations, embodying the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.” Under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership, India has launched several key initiatives, including the Jan Aushadhi Scheme. This program aims to provide high-quality medicines to all segments of society, especially the underprivileged, by establishing Jan Aushadhi centers nationwide. These centers offer generic medicines of equal quality to branded ones at more affordable prices, without compromising on quality. All medicines supplied through this scheme meet the standards set by the Indian Pharmacopoeia. The success of this initiative in India stands as a model that could be adapted by other countries to improve global access to affordable healthcare, a statement said. Additionally, the Government of India has launched several initiatives to enhance access to medicines and healthcare sewices. The Ayushman Bharat scheme, for instance, is the world’s largest government-funded healthcare programme, providing assurance and insurance coverage for more than 500 million people at a cost of 6,000 US Dollars. Under the Prime Minister’s leadership, this scheme is a “testament to our commitment to ensure healthcare to the most vulnerable section of society,” the minister said. Nadda added that “as India’s pharmaceuticals and the healthcare sector continue to grow, our focus remains on improving global health. India’s collaboration with various countries is a testament to its dedication to this goal.” He further added that “the discussions under the Policymakers’ Forum will pave the way for patient safety worldwide, successful implementation of shared goals and will strengthen our healthcare systems while building lasting relationships among our countries”. Arunish Chawla, Secretary’, Department of Pharmaceuticals stated that, “a global trend is emerging as patients increasingly opt for generic medicines. Generic medicines adhere to regulat01Y standardisation equivalent to WHO standards and practices and are at least 50 to 90 per cent cheaper than branded medicines. There is a rising feeling in the world to move towards generic medicines”. Highlighting the success of the Janaushadhi Programme, he stated that, “In just a short span of 10 years, the out-of-pocket expenditure has fallen over 40 per cent due to generic medicines which is evidence of the success of the Jan Arogya Programme and more than 10,000 Janaushadhi Kendras are nmning in every nook and corner of the country. Jan Arogya is a social service that we want to offer to help other countries in other parts of the world where Healthcare expenditure is a major concern.” A key highlight of the event was the launch of two significant digital platforms by the Minister of Health and Family Welfare and Chemicals & Fertilisers –the IP Online Portal and the Adverse Drug Reaction Monitoring System (ADRMS) software. The IP Online Portal represents a major step towards digitalising the Indian Pharmacopoeia, making drug standards more accessible to stakeholders worldwide. This initiative aligns with the Government of India’s commitment to promoting environmentally friendly solutions under the ‘Digital India’ campaign. The ADRMS software, developed as part of the Pharmacovigilance Programme of India, is India’s first indigenous medical product safety database tailored to the needs of the Indian population. It facilitates the collection and analysis of adverse events related to medicines and medical devices, thereby significantly strengthening the countlY’s pharmacovigilance infrastructure. This software not only streamlines the repolting process but also empowers consumers and healthcare professionals to directly report adverse events, ensuring a more comprehensive capture of safety information. These digital initiatives are expected to enhance the accessibility and efficiency of chug safety monitoring and standards compliance, further boosting India’s position as a leader in the global pharmaceutical landscape. The successful launch of these digital platforms and the ongoing discussions at the Policy Makers’ Fomm reflect the Government’s continuous efforts to ensure

Aug 19, 2024 India’s achievement of its long-term goal to become a developed economy also hinges on its population losing weight, the Economic Survey 2023-24 had indicated. As India is posed to capitalise on its demographic dividend—a large youth population—it is crucial that the population’s health improves. Rising obesity rates and unhealthy lifestyles are threatening this potential.   New Delhi: India’s achievement of its long- term goal to become a developed economy also hinges on its population losing weight, the Economic Survey 2023-24 had indicated. As India is posed to capitalise on its demographic dividend—a large youth population—it is crucial that the population’s health improves. Rising obesity rates and unhealthy lifestyles are threatening this potential. The Economic Survey 2023-24 had flagged the urgent need for Indians to adopt a balanced diet to harness demographic dividends fully. Obesity is highlighted as a significant concern, with the survey noting a rise in obesity rates among adults Obesity in India Data from the National Family Health Survey 5 (NFHS-5) indicates that obesity among men aged 18-69 increased to 22.9 per cent from 18.9 per cent in the previous survey (NFHS-4). Similarly, for women, the rate rose to 24.0 per cent from 20.6 per cent . “Obesity is emerging as a serious concern among India’s adult population. According to National Family Health Survey 5 (NFHS-5), the percentage of men facing obesity in the age bracket 18-69 has increased to 22.9 per cent in NFHS-5 from 18.9 per cent in NFHS-4. For women, it has increased from 20.6 per cent (NFHS-4) to 24.0 per cent (NFHS-5),” the survey stated. Unhealthy diets, excessive social media usage, prolonged screen time, and sedentary lifestyles are increasing the risk of non-communicable diseases like diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and some cancers. These factors also undermine India’s economic potential by affecting the working-age population. Experts want thinner India for better economy Experts have stressed the urgency of addressing these health issues to boost India’s economic prospects. They want individuals o monitor their waist size, according to a Tol report. Dr Neelam Mohan, senior director and head of pediatric gastroenterology, hepatology, and liver transplantation at Medanta Medicity, highlighted the importance of government intewention in combating obesity effectively: “Govt involvement is crucial in driving the momentum needed to combat obesity effectively.” Dr Mohan pointed out that addressing obesity and related health issues like diabetes and heart disease can also help alleviate the burden of associated ailments, such as fatty liver, liver cirrhosis, and strokes. She noted the worrying trend of young adults experiencing cardiac issues, which were previously uncommon in this demographic. Want to lose weight? You are what you eat Emphasising individual responsibility in weight management, Dr Mohan said, “You are what you eat.” She pointed out that dietary habits significantly impact weight management, contributing 80-90 per cent of the effect compared to physical activity. She stressed the importance of educating young parents and adolescents about nutritious eating habits to curb obesity from teenage years into adulthood. Urban India is more obese than Bharat Data from NFHS-5 also illustrates that obesity is more prevalent in urban areas compared to rural regions, with 29.8 per cent of urban men facing obesity versus 19.3 per cent of rural men, and 33.2 per cent of urban women versus 19.7 per cent of rural women. “Combined with an ageing population in some states, obesity presents a concerning situation. Preventive measures must be taken to enable citizens to have a healthier lifestyle,” the survey added. It also noted that the NFHS-5 Survey coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic, potentially increasing sedenta1Y lifestyles; a potential reversal in this trend in NFHS-6 would be a positive sign. What can the government do to shed weight Dr Girdhar Gyani, director general of the Association of Healthcare Providers (India), recommends integrating Body Mass Index (BMI) into the national policy for preventive healthcare. “Increased screen time is the primalY culprit for the current situation,” he said. Gyani advocates for stalting with BMI awareness and then promoting better dietary habits, physical activity, and reduced screen time.He flagged the importance of ongoing awareness efforts about health issues, including stroke, cewical cancer vaccination for women, and annual vaccinations. However, Gyani stressed the need for promoting awareness about BMI as a crucial next step, explaining that when BMI surpasses 25, individuals are at higher risk of health problems, with a BMI over 30 indicating obesity. Obesity root cause of problems Dr Devi Prasad Shetty, founder chairman of Narayana Healthcare, identified obesity as the root cause of most contemporal•y medical problems. He noted that many early-stage diseases due to obesity are reversible, and emphasised the importance of individuals knowing their health metrics. “Know your number” is his key message, urging individuals to be aware of their body weight, blood pressure, blood sugar levels, and other critical health parameters.For obese individuals, Dr Shetty recommended undergoing preventive checkups to obtain baseline readings of various health metrics. “An obese person feels I can walk a hundred miles. I have no problem,” he said. Dr Shetty stressed the importance of understanding that perceived fitness level does not always correlate with actual fitness and advocated for comprehensive evaluations of heart, kidney, liver, and other organs since obesity affects all bodily systems.Dr Rajeev Jayadevan, co- chairman of the National IMA Covid Task Force, highlighted waist circumference as a simple and affordable way to assess health risks. How to reduce waist size? Is it easy? “Focusing on waist circumference is the most accessible and cost- effective approach, as it can be easily measured without the need for laborat01Y tests,” he said. Reducing waist size can improve health markers such as blood pressure and blood sugar levels, and lessen the likelihood of chronic conditions like diabetes, cancer, and cardiovascular disease. He also emphasised the importance of educating children about health, stalting from ages 10 to 12, with carefully curated information to avoid misinformation. This approach ensures children receive correct guidance for maintaining well-being during their developmental years.NFHS-5 data shows that the prevalence of abdominal obesity is

Sep 06, 2024 The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (Irdai) has enforced stricter timelines for insurance companies to boost accountability and customer service. Changes include faster settlement of death claims, quicker processing of policy surrenders, and prompt handling of health insurance claims. Customers can approach the ombudsman if these deadlines are not met. MUMBAI: Insurance Regulator and Development Authority of India (Irdai) has tightened timelines for various services undertaken by insurance companies, aiming to enhance accountability and customer service. In life insurance, death claims that do not require investigation must be settled within 15 days, down from 30 days earlier. For early death claims that require a probe, the resolution period is now 45 days while earlier it was “not later than 90 days”. Maturity claims, survival benefits, and annuity payments should be settled on their due dates, and policy surrenders or partial withdrawals must be processed within seven days, Irdai said in its master circular on protection of policyholders’ interests. ‘Insurers must allow 30-day free-look for life, health plans’ Insurance companies are also expected to send premium due intimations and information regarding policy payments, such as maturity or survival benefits, at least one month before the due date. The regulator has said that if the companies fail to meet the timelines, customers can approach the ombudsman who has the power to direct insurance companies. For new business proposals, insurance companies are required to process them and request any additional information within seven days. A copy of the policy, along with the proposal form, must be provided to the policyholder within 15 days. In case of health insurance, the regulator has reiterated that cashless claims must be settled within three hours and non-cashless claims within 15 days. New business proposals should be processed within seven days and policy documents issued in a fortnight. For customers exercising their right to free- look cancellation, insurance companies are required to process the refund within seven days of receiving the request. Services related to policy loans and alterations in original policy conditions are also bound by a seven-day timeline. In unit-linked insurance policies (ULIPs), services such as switch and top-up requests must be fulfilled within seven days. In cases of customer complaints, the insurer must acknowledge the complaint immediately and initiate action within 14 days. If the issue is not resolved within this period, the insurer must inform the complainant within 14 days of the original complaint date. Key features of the master circular include providing essential information at various stages of the insurance contract and mandating Customer Information Sheets (CIS) with policy details. Additionally, insurers must offer proposal forms and CIS in regional languages and allow a 30-day free-look period for life and health insurance policies. Source: India Times