Vikas Dandekar

India's leading drug makers, through the Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance, have petitioned the Supreme Court to enable police and drug inspectors to investigate and prosecute counterfeit drug manufacturers. They argue that without proper enforcement and protection, the prevalence of counterfeit drugs has increased, affecting public health and India's global pharmaceutical reputation.

Globally, around 26 per cent of clinicians use AI in decision making, but in India, it's only about 12 per cent, compared to 35 per cent in the US and China.

Is the pharma market, which is currently at INR2.17 lakh crore (USD25.8 billion), getting too crowded? While some industry experts believe a few clear signs of fatigue have emerged, many say it is not a doom scenario yet and a rebound may not be far.

Keytruda, a cancer treatment drug, has achieved $25 billion in global sales. Its mechanism boosts the immune system to fight cancer. In India, its high cost limits access. With patents expiring soon, Indian companies are developing more affordable versions. Efforts are also focused on expanding indications and improving financial access.

Wockhardt has been a wealth destroyer as its shares have underperformed Nifty 50 by over 150% over the last 10 years. However, the success of its latest antibiotic drug has attracted the attention of mutual funds and some high-profile investors. Can Wockhardt regain its glory days?

Weight-loss drugs, particularly newer options like GLP-1 receptor agonists, are revolutionising the treatment of obesity and metabolic diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular disorders. Hailed for their efficacy, these drugs are helping patients lose significant weight and offer additional health benefits. Experts see them as game-changers in the way some of the chronic conditions are managed by doctors. Caution is however advised to prevent their misuse and dependency. While the medications could complement lifestyle changes and even eliminate the need of bariatric surgery, accessibility and long-term effects remain concerns. Balancing life-changing innovations with responsible use are the key to maximising their positive impact on health.

Indians are ingesting too many antibiotics. As a result, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is becoming a serious public health crisis, as many commonly used antibiotics are losing their effectiveness. Currently, about 70% of antibiotic treatments fail to work against infections, making it increasingly difficult to treat conditions that once had straightforward solutions. Each year, more patients experience recurring infections, both in outpatient and inpatient settings, and mortality rates continue to rise among those requiring critical care. Hosts Vikas Dandekar and Anirban Chowdhury talk to Dr Viny Kantroo of Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, and Maneesh Paul of Orchid Pharma trying to understand if AMR could drastically alter healthcare as we know it, posing an unprecedented challenge to future generations.

23andMe, a pioneer in genetic testing, struggles to maintain its early success. As quickly as it soared, its market value plummeted, leaving the companys future uncertain. ET Prime examines the challenges faced by 23andMe, along with opportunities and potential implications for Indias genetic-testing market.

Unravelling precise family history and ancestry by simple at-home saliva tests zoomed 23andMe into the living rooms of millions of people in the US.

Doctors are grappling with a raft of unsparing hospital-acquired superbugs broadly known as anti-microbial resistance or AMR. Are bacterial infections the next big lethal adversary for mankind?