When generics turn into Big Pharma

Top generics firms, some from India, are charged with price-fixing and sleazy deals; Sun Pharma has paid up to settle claims  

Gene variant in people of African origin helps control HIV, says study

Between 4% and 13% of people of African origin could be carrying a particular variant that decreases the viral load

Acquired shortage: India’s HIV drugs are in short supply, which could have been averted 

This risks undoing India’s hard-won gains against HIV/AIDS and further derails the global progress, which is not on track to meet the goal …

‘High time India, other LMICs developed policy apparatus for COVID-19 drugs manufacturing and supply’

Expensive drug monoclonal antibodies may create inequity similar to vaccine distribution

COVID-19 underlines medicine interdependency, which is not good: Experts

Countries must come out of global value chain and become self-dependent, they said

Costly active pharma ingredients from China create healthcare hurdles in India

Nearly 70% of the country’s APIs are imported from China; the dependence is around 90% for certain life-saving antibiotics 

D Srinivasa Reddy takes over as Director CSIR-IICT

Reddy will also hold the additional charge of the post of director of CSIR-IIIM, Jammu and director, CSIR-CDRI, Lucknow

COVID-19: How safe are antiviral drugs for environment?

Both chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine, for example, pose serious chronic threat to the aquatic environment

COVID-19: Centre brings package to boost bulk drugs

Indian pharma industry is critically dependent on imported raw material 

Kerala comes up with Operation AMRITH to tackle AMR

Operation Amrith is aimed at conducting surprise raids in retail medical shops for detecting OTC sale of antibiotics

More global trials for 3 COVID-19 drugs: WHO

The 3 drugs — used to treat malaria, cancer and immune disorders — will be tested on thousands of volunteer patients across 600 …

African children are neglected when it comes to HIV treatment: Lancet study

Only 55% of African children living with HIV (including those who were previously undiagnosed) are on antiretroviral therapy and 32.6% have a …

Fading history of Novartis v Union of India

The 2013 landmark Supreme Court judgement offers critical lessons on the intent behind crucial aspects of India’s key patent law

Younger people are more prone to cancer, here is why

Risk factors include — highly processed foods, sugary beverages, weight, type 2 diabetes, sedentary lifestyle, sleep deprivation and …

COVID-19 exposed dependence of world, India on China for active pharma ingredients

APIs are crucial for drugs and countries have put their eggs in a single basket; India has been discussing the issue for sometime

What are these ‘cancer vaccines’ I’m hearing about? And what similarities do they share with COVID vaccines?

Rather than preventing disease, these vaccines are a personalised treatment for cancer, to combat disease

Ivermectin: why a potential COVID treatment isn’t recommended for use

There is currently insufficient evidence to support the use of ivermectin in treatment of COVID-19

Illicit drug markets expanding, compounding global crises: UN

Drug users’ estimate at record high; Trafficking networks challenging health services, law enforcement responses

Uzbekistan fallout: Union government issues ‘Ethylene Glycol (Quality Control) Order, 2022’

A joint inspection of the Noida facility of Marion Biotech has been carried out by a Uttar Pradesh Drug Control and CDSCO team

Simply Put: Patanjali’s magic COVID-19 pills

Coordination, collaboration key to solving crisis of antibiotic development

The crisis around antibiotic research is a global problem and would need global solutions, experts at CSE event highlighted

How dosage of fever drugs has again highlighted nexus of pharma firms, doctors

No regulation on marketing strategies by drug companies has created a medical autocracy, the Dolo-650 controversy shows

India’s HIV-affected community ends protest over alleged shortage of drugs

Control office to be set up to work on forecasting, availability, supply chain, dispensing antiretroviral drugs  

Mental health: It’s not always good to talk

Silence in and around mental illness is not always bad; depressed silence can need help from mental healthcare professional as part of recovery

Hunting elephants, rhinos and pangolins for trade may affect climate, says UN paper; here is how

UNODC paper highlights that illegal wildlife trade has implications for ecosystem function and resilience, including to the persistence of …