ICICI Bank has reversed its decision to raise the minimum monthly average balance (MAB) for new savings accounts in metro and urban locations to Rs 50,000, revising it instead to Rs 15,000, effective August 1. The MAB for new savings accounts in semi-urban locations has been revised from Rs 25,000 to Rs 7,500, and for rural locations from Rs 10,000 to Rs 2,500.
'We are looking at what kind of products, diagnostics or other solutions we can offer to become a well-rounded player in a particular disease area globally.'
The Indian Council of Medical Research was in talks with the Serum Institute of India for local manufacturing of monoclonal antibodies (MABs). However, it did not take off, as the volume was much less in India.
This will also help test the effectiveness of preventing the entry of Nipah in target cells.
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Wednesday said it has imposed a penalty of Rs 1.8 crore on Punjab National Bank and Rs 30 lakh on ICICI Bank for deficiencies in regulatory compliance. In a statement, the RBI said the Statutory Inspection for Supervisory Evaluation (ISE) of Punjab National Bank (PNB) was conducted by it with reference to its financial position as of March 31, 2019. Following the ISE and examination of other documents, the RBI found contravention of its provisions relating to the pledge of shares by the PNB.
Given the recurring outbreaks in the last five years, the government is considering domestic manufacturing of monoclonal antibodies for treating Nipah virus infections and is in talks with Serum Institute of India, report Shine Jacob and Sohini Das.
Punjab National Bank, Bank of Baroda, Bank of India and Canara Bank already charge their customers a levy for failing to maintain a minimum balance for a quarter or a month.
Roche has already adapted its business model in India to increase affordable access to drugs and try to stave off trouble from India's patent authorities.