Teena Thacker

India's medical device industry is celebrating a new ₹500 crore government scheme designed to boost domestic manufacturing and reduce reliance on imports. The scheme will fund key initiatives such as manufacturing essential components, developing shared infrastructure, and supporting clinical studies, ultimately aiming to position India as a global leader in medical technology.

Amongst the top 10 therapies that contribute to more than 90% of the Indian pharma market, price drove growth in the cardiac segment. The anti-hypertensives, which account for almost 50% of the cardiac segment, is experiencing stagnated volume growth. Lipid-lowering drugs and platelet aggregation inhibitors have shown a relatively higher growth to help boost the cardiac segment.

India has the highest global prevalence of diabetes, with 212 million adults diagnosed in 2022, surpassing China and the United States. A new study published in The Lancet reveals that the global diabetic population has quadrupled since 1990, now exceeding 800 million. The surge in India is attributed in part to broader diagnostic criteria, including fasting glucose and HbA1c levels.

A new study reveals that over 800 million adults worldwide have diabetes. India leads the world with 212 million cases, followed by China with 148 million. The US has 42 million cases. The global diabetes rate has doubled since 1990. The study used data from over 140 million people across more than 1,000 studies.

India's drug regulator, the DCGI, is set to meet with cosmetics industry representatives to address regulatory concerns. The industry seeks clarification on Schedule M, which proposes a ban on manufacturing non-drug items in drug manufacturing units, potentially impacting cosmetics production.

Delhi hospitals are witnessing a surge in patients with respiratory problems due to severe air pollution following Diwali. Doctors report increased cases of breathlessness, asthma, and COPD, with patient numbers exceeding the previous year. The elderly and those with heart conditions are particularly vulnerable, experiencing aggravated symptoms and requiring hospitalization.

Parents of children who allegedly died from COVID-19 vaccine side effects are demanding justice and transparency in public health policies. They are calling for faster legal proceedings and a revamped system for reporting adverse events following immunization.

"The respiratory market shows the normal seasonal trend for the anti-asthma and cough and cold segment," said Sheetal Sapale, VP, commercial, Pharmarack. "There were fewer reported cases in October 2024 compared to October 2023, hence there is de-growth in the market. The market peaks in December and January and then gradually subsides as winter loses its intensity," Sapale said.

Parents who have lost young children after they received Covid vaccinations are demanding justice. They allege that the government's reporting system for adverse events is flawed and that the government's claim of not mandating vaccines is misleading. They are seeking compensation and an independent investigation into the deaths, highlighting the lack of training for doctors to deal with adverse events.

A report by India's leading health research body found that air pollution caused 1.7 million deaths in 2019. This represents 18% of all deaths in the country that year. The primary cause of death was chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The study identified industrial emissions, vehicular exhaust, and the burning of solid fuels as major contributors to air pollution.