Teena Thacker

The Indian government recently banned 156 fixed-dose combination drugs, citing health risks. An expert committee found these combinations lacking therapeutic justification. More FDCs are under review and could face imminent bans as part of ongoing evaluations to ensure public safety.

The political unrest and violence in Bangladesh are posing significant challenges for Indian pharmaceutical exporters, leading to stranded funds and concerns over financial stability. This situation threatens to impact medicine availability and healthcare services in Bangladesh. Despite the market's growth potential, many Indian companies are now hesitant to supply without advance payments, emphasising the importance of risk management in this unpredictable scenario.

The government is considering creating a separate category for advanced coronary stents and raising the price ceiling to attract stent makers. This move comes after manufacturers shelved plans to launch next-generation devices in India due to price control measures. The proposal aims to address concerns raised by stent makers over current pricing regulations.

India has begun producing clavulanic acid, a key ingredient in the antibiotic Augmentin, reducing its reliance on China for APIs. Mumbai-based Kinvan is leading this initiative, with plans to scale up production to 300 metric tons by the end of the year. This move aligns with India's production-linked incentive scheme.

Synopsis The government has mandated medical devices associations to adopt a uniform marketing code similar to that for pharmaceuticals. This includes prohibitions on organizing workshops abroad and offering expensive perks to healthcare professionals. Companies must upload the code on their websites and form an Ethics Committee for Marketing Practices.

The National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission has ordered Johnson & Johnson to pay ₹35 lakh in compensation to each patient affected by a faulty hip implant. The commission also mandated an interest of 6% per annum on the compensation from the complaint filing date. The payment must be made within two months.

India's drug regulator has suspended Entod Pharmaceuticals' permission to manufacture and sell PresVu Eye Drops. The company did not obtain clearance for its claim that the drops reduce dependency on reading glasses for presbyopia. Entod plans to challenge the suspension in court, asserting that their clinical trials demonstrated efficacy and safety.

Liver herbal supplement Liv 52 emerged as one of India's top-selling herbal tonics in August, driven by increased cases of liver-related illnesses during the monsoon season. The Indian pharmaceutical market saw a 6.3% growth year-over-year, with gastrointestinal and anti-diabetic medications performing strongly in both sales value and volume.

A person associated with a wellness centre in Gurgaon says on condition of anonymity that the vitamin IV “therapy” is gaining traction and the footfall the centre is getting is increasing every month. “The number of people opting for IV vitamins has gone up by 30-40% over last year,” he says, adding, “We offer packages depending on what one wants. A screening is done by our in-house doctor and then a cocktail is decided.” Instead of popping multivitamin tablets, why do people opt for intravenous drips? “When vitamins are taken orally, the absorption rate is 20-50%. However, it is 90-100% when it is given intravenously,” the person says. It is sought by people in the metros, he adds.

Panacea Biotec has settled a patent dispute with Sanofi Healthcare India, leading to a rise in its stock. The Delhi High Court case involved Panacea's claim that Sanofi's Shan6 vaccine infringed on its EasySix patent. Sanofi agreed not to market the infringing product and withdrew its opposition to Panacea's patent amendment.