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Sep 13, 2024 The government has approved health insurance coverage for all senior citizens aged 70 and over, regardless of income, under the flagship initiative Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY). This was announced via a Press Information Bureau release on September 12, 2024. AB PM-JAY’s advantages would now be available to all senior citizens who are 70 years of age or older, regardless of their socioeconomic status. Under AB PM-JAY, a new, unique card would be given to the senior citizens who qualify. This announcement was earlier made in April 2024 that the coverage would be extended to senior individuals who are 70 years of age and older. “It is indeed a step in the right direction to ensure accessible health for the aged population of the country to bring all senior citizens aged 70 years and above into the ambit of the expanded Ayushman Bharat scheme. The move will be highly beneficial in many ways for those who are often left vulnerable due to limited access to health and finances. This will ease the burden on the families as it provides health insurance cover of Rs 5 lakh per year, ensuring that medical emergencies do not become a financial crisis. Finally, it’s a good move, benefiting one and all: public health improves, family security improves, and India moves toward more inclusive healthcare solutions,” said Pankaj Nawani, CEO of CarePa1 Secure. Ayushman Bharat: Who are already covered under the scheme The senior citizens of the age 70 years and above belonging to families already covered under AB PM-JAY will get an additional top-up cover upto Rs 5 lakh per year for themselves (which they do not have to share with the other members of the family who are below the age of 70 years). All other senior citizens of the age 70 years and above will get a cover upto Rs 5 lakh per year on a family basis. Other health insuranceSenior citizens of the age 70 years and above who are already availing benefits of other public health insurance schemes such as Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS), Ex-servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS), Ayushman Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) may either choose their existing scheme or opt for AB PMJAY. Private health insuranceIt has been clarified that senior citizens of 70 years and above who are under private health insurance policies or Employees’ State Insurance scheme will be eligible to avail benefits under AB PM-JAY. Ayushman BharatWho it will benefit This aims to benefit approximately 4.5 Crore families with six (6) crore senior citizens with 5 Lakh rupees free health insurance cover on a family basis. AB PM-JAY scheme detailsAccording to the PIB release, “The AB PM-JAY scheme has witnessed continuous expansion of the beneficiary base. Initially, 10.74 crore poor and vulnerable families comprising the bottom 40% of India’s population were covered under the scheme. Later, the Government of India, in January 2022 revised the beneficiary base under AB PM-JAY from 10.74 crore to 12 crore families considering India’s decadal population growth of 11.7 % over 2011 population. The scheme was further expanded to cover 37 lakh ASHAs/AWWs/AWHs working across the country and their families for free healthcare benefits. Taking the mission ahead, AB PM-JAY would now provide free healthcare coverage of Rs 5 lakh to all citizens of the age-group of 70 years and above across the country.” How to Apply for Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya YojanaStep 1: Visit the official website https://abdm.gov.in/Step 2: eligible person should get your Aadhaar card or ration card verified at a PMJAYkioskStep 3: Submit family identification proofsStep 4: Get your e-card printed with a unique AB-PMJAY ID Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana coverage The scheme covers all expenses related to: Source: Economic Times

Sep 5, 2024 New Delhi: A recently published study has identified 125 viruses circulating in animals from fur farms in China, raising concerns about the risk of these viruses spilling over into human populations. The study, led by Chinese researchers and co-authored by virologist Edward Holmes, has highlighted the urgent need for better virus monitoring on fur farms. The discovery includes 36 previously unknown viruses, with 39 identified as having a “high risk” of crossing species, potentially leading to human infection. The research, published in the journal Nature, was conducted between 2021 and 2024 and focused on 461 animals that had died from disease. Most of these animals, including minks, foxes, raccoon dogs, rabbits, and muskrats, came from fur farms, with some farmed for food or traditional medicine. The study also included around 50 wild animals. The viruses detected include known pathogens like hepatitis E and Japanese encephalitis, as well as 13 new viruses, highlighting the role of fur farms as potential virus transmission hubs. Call to Close the Fur Farming Industry Edward Holmes, a virologist who has been actively researching the spread of viruses in animals, expressed his concern over the fur farming industry’s role in potentially facilitating virus transmission. Holmes stated, “Personally, I think the fur farming industry globally should be closed down.” He has been a strong advocate for heightened suweillance and action to prevent future outbreaks. One of the viruses identified in the study was the “Pipistrellus bat HKU5- like virus,” which had previously been found in bats but was now detected in the lungs oftwo farmed minks. This virus is closely related to the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (MERS), which can be deadly to humans. Holmes warned “That, we now see that it jumped from bats to farmed mink m arm bell. This virus needs to be monitored.” Fur Farms as Virus Transmission Hubs The study’s findings emphasize the potential for fur farms to act as conduits for virus transmission between animals and humans. The researchers found evidence of several types of bird flu in animals like guinea pigs, minks, and muskrats. The team also detected seven types of coronaviruses in these animals, although none were closely related to SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for Covid-19. Raccoon dogs and mink were identified as carrying the highest number of potentially dangerous viruses, making them key species of concern. According to the study, these species harbor viruses that are particularly high-risk for crossing species barriers, which could lead to human infections. “The intensive breeding environment of farmed animals serves as a possible bridge for virus spillover,” the researchers stated. The global fur trade is a multi-billion-dollar industry, with China being the dominant player, accounting for over 80% of the world’s fur production. In 2021, China produced pelts from an estimated 27 million animals, most of which were turned into luxury garments. The northeastern Chinese province of Shandong, home to many fur farms, was identified as a region with a particularly high concentration of high- risk viruses. Wildlife Trade and Virus Origins The study’s findings draw attention to the broader issue of virus transmission linked to the wildlife trade. Many scientists believe that the Covid-19 pandemic originated from the wildlife trade, with bats being the likely source of the virus. Holmes shared his thoughts on this connection, saying, “I strongly believe that the wildlife trade was responsible for the emergence of SARS-CoV-2.” He further suggested that the fur farming industry, closely related to wildlife trade, could easily give rise to another pandemic virus. While the exact origins of Covid-19 are still under investigation, some of the earliest human cases were linked to wet markets in Wuhan, where live animals, including raccoon dogs, were sold. These animals have bee implicated in past outbreaks, with fur animals such as foxes, civets, and minks being identified as potential hosts for viruses like the original SARS coronavirus and SARS-CoV-2. The research suggests that the interaction between humans, farmed animals, and wild animals on fur farms may increase the likelihood of viral transmission across species. Surveillance and Global Responses The researchers emphasized the need for increased surveillance of fur farms, particularly focusing on species like mink, raccoon dogs, and guinea pigs. These animals were found to harbor the majority of the “high risk” viruses. The study’s authors, led by Shuo Su from Fudan University in Shanghai, stressed the importance of monitoring these animals closely to prevent zoonotic transmission, which is when viruses jump from animals to humans. The researchers emphasized the need for increased surveillance of fur farms, particularly focusing on species like mink, raccoon dogs, and guinea pigs. These animals were found to harbor the majority of the “high risk” viruses. The study’s authors, led by Shuo Su from Fudan University in Shanghai, stressed the importance of monitoring these animals closely to prevent zoonotic transmission, which is when viruses jump from animals to humans. Despite the global awareness of these risks, responses to fur farming practices have been mixed. Denmark, for example, culled its entire farmed mink population in 2020 due to concerns about Covid-19 transmission. However, the country has since reauthorized mink farming. In contrast, China continues to dominate the global fur market, with little indication of stricter regulations being put in place. The researchers also identified examples of cross-species transmission in fur farms, including a novel canine respiratory coronavirus found in raccoon dogs and bat coronaviruses transmitted to minks. These findings further demonstrate the role of fur farms as potential transmission hubs for viruses that could spill over into human populations. Urgent Need for Global Action As fur farming continues to thrive, particularly in Asia, scientists are calling for stronger regulations and improved surveillance systems to prevent future pandemics. The study’s authors recommend increased monitoring of virus activity in farmed fur animals, particularly those found to carry high-risk viruses. Holmes and other experts believe that without proactive measures, fur farms could be the source of the next global outbreak. Holmes reiterated the need for urgent action, stating, “The related

July 04,2024 London: Patients using Novo Nordisk’s wildly popular weigh-loss drug Wegovy and its similar medicines for type 2 diabetes may be at increased risk for a sight-threatening eye condition, according to data from a study published on Wednesday. Wegovy and Novo’s diabetes drugs Ozempic and Rybelsus all contain the same active ingredient, semaglutide, and belong to a class of medications known as GLP1 receptor agonists. The rate of the eye problem known as nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy, or NAION, was 8.9% for those taking semaglutide for type 2 diabetes, compared with 1.8% for patients taking non-GLP-1 diabetes medications, researchers reported in JAMA Ophthalmology. Among those prescribed semaglutide for overweight or obesity, the rate of the eye condition was 6.7%, versus 0.8% for those receiving other types of medications for weight reduction. The 36-month observational study involved 710 adults with type 2 diabetes and 979 taking medications for weight loss. NAION develops from insufficient blood flow to the optic nerve and causes sudden painless vision loss in one eye. It is the second most common cause of blindness due to optic nerve damage, after glaucoma. After taking patients’ other risk factors for the condition into account, such as high blood pressure and obstructive sleep apnea, use of semaglutide was associated with a more than four times higher risk of NAION in those receiving it for diabetes and a more than seven times higher risk in patients taking it for obesity. Novo Nordisk in an emailed statement noted several limitations of the study design, which was not a randomized controlled trial. “Overall, the data published in the study is not sufficient to establish a causal association between GLP-1 receptor agonist use and NAION,” the Danish drugmaker said, adding that the condition “is not an adverse drug reaction for the marketed formulations of semaglutide.” NAION more often affects older individuals. In the overall U.S. population, the estimated annual incidence is 0.54 per 100,000 people, rising to 2.3 to 10.2 per 100,000 in adults above age 50, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology. The prognosis for visual recovery is better for younger patients, the AAO says. Mean ages in the study were 46 among patients using semaglutide for obesity and 57 among those using it for diabetes. “This work has been carried out to a high level of quality and… does suggest an association between semaglutide treatment and one form of sight-threatening optic neuropathy, but this would ideally be tested in larger studies,” Graham McGeown of Queen’s University Belfast, who studies diabetic eye disease but was not involved in the new research, said in a statement. “Given the rapid increase in semaglutide use and its possible licensing for a range of problems other than obesity and type-2 diabetes, this issue deserves further study, but possible drug side effects always need to be balanced against likely benefits,” McGeown said. The researchers involved in the study were not immediately available to comment on their findings. Source: Healthworld

New Delhi, May 13: Mineral water, sodas, music and sports franchises are among the common avenues taken by alcohol manufacturers to advertise their brands. So what is new in this? Nothing. But what is befuddling those in power as well as the moral police is how ‘surrogate advertising’ can be monitored in the absence of overarching legislation. At the Centre, the buck is passed on between ministries and sometimes to respective States. This is even as consumer activists urging the Government to frame a central legislation, even if effective implementation will rest with the State Governments. In fact, the self-regulating Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) already has a code on brand extension. “Surrogate advertising is not allowed as per law but we have been urging the Government to start taking legal action against liquor brands that violate these providers and are habitual offenders,” said Bejon Misra, Founder, Consumer Online Foundation. Regulation of such advertising appeared to fall under the jurisdiction of at least five Ministries – Consumer Affairs, Health, Information & Broadcasting (I&B), IT and Social Justice and Empowerment. “There are ambiguous court rulings on the matter where alcohol manufacturers state that the logo is the identity of the brand and using it on products other than alcohol is a legitimate business activity. So it’s mainly down to legal interpretation and in time will need to be settled by courts to establish a stated position,” a senior Government official told BusinessLine. He added any concerted effort to clamp down on the practice would have to be led by the Health Ministry, which took the lead in curbing cigarette/tobacco advertising. Another official pointed out that Section 2(r) of the Consumer Protection Act, 1986 outlined ‘unfair trade practices’ for sales maximisation of a good or service and provided legal recourse for consumers if suppliers were found to have engaged in misleading advertisements. “Though it does not explicitly mention surrogate advertising, sellers could be prosecuted depending on how a case is presented. That said, if mineral water advertised by an alcohol company meets requisite standards, it’s a murky area,” he said, adding new legislation might not serve any purpose and could lead to inter-sectoral conflicts. Direct advertising of alcoholic beverages is banned in India but private channels have often permitted surrogate advertising. “We need to have a comprehensive Central Law that regulates various aspects of alcohol consumption and promotion,” said Monika Arora, Health Promotion & Associate Professor, Public Health Foundation of India. http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/companies/who-governs-surrogate-ads-for-alcohol/article7202285.ece