'There is no need for panic as there is widespread protective immune memory in the population from vaccination as well as prior infections.'
The Union Health Ministry has amended drug rules, making it mandatory to have a doctor's prescription for the sale of all syrups, including cough syrups. This move aims to enhance regulatory oversight and patient safety following concerns over drug quality and contamination-linked deaths.
Union Health Minister J P Nadda has launched the Unified Health Interface (UHI), an interoperable digital network under the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM). UHI aims to connect patients and healthcare providers across various digital platforms, addressing fragmentation in India's digital health ecosystem and improving access to verified services, especially in rural areas.
In the throes of a financial crisis, the state's ruling Congress government has little to be triumphant about as Assembly elections approach next year, points out Aditi Phadnis.
The World Health Organization has requested information from the Indian government regarding the alleged supply of spurious oxytocin injections linked to the deaths of five women in Kota hospitals. This comes after regulatory action, including the cancellation of manufacturing licenses for Jackson Laboratories units, following joint inspections by drug control bodies. The government is investigating the matter, emphasising a zero-tolerance approach to quality violations.
The move is to strengthen oversight, improve compliance, and boost patient confidence.
The BJP's Bahraich unit has filed a cyber crime case against a social media account for allegedly misusing images of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Health Minister J P Nadda, along with party symbols, to circulate misleading content. Police have registered a case under the IT Act and initiated an investigation.
The central drugs laboratories found 42 drug samples manufactured by various firms to be "not of standard quality (NSQ)" in its monthly drug alert for April, Union health ministry officials said on Thursday. Further, the state drug testing laboratories have identified 127 drug samples as NSQ, they said.
The Union Health Ministry has directed states and Union territories to enhance surveillance, hospital preparedness, and screening of international travellers after the WHO declared the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda a public health emergency of international concern.
Private hospitals accounted for 30.8 per cent of current health expenditure in FY23, while pharmaceuticals and medical goods contributed more than 21 per cent, underlining continued dependence on private healthcare and medicine spending.
Over the past year, the sale of injectable GLP-1 agonists (used to treat type 2 diabetes and obesity) such as Mounjaro, Wegovy and Ozempic have surged a whopping 218 per cent.
A parliamentary panel has summoned officials from the Union Education Ministry, the National Testing Agency (NTA), and the CBI to address concerns regarding the conduct of examinations.
A hantavirus outbreak on the Dutch vessel MV Hondius has resulted in multiple confirmed cases and fatalities, with Indian nationals among the crew. Health authorities are tracing those who disembarked.
Union Health Minister J P Nadda has emphasised the need for sound regulation, ethical oversight, and equity in the application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to healthcare, speaking at the World Health Assembly in Geneva.
The Bihar cabinet has expanded significantly with 32 new ministers taking oath, including Nishant Kumar, son of JD(U) leader Nitish Kumar. The expansion includes representatives from all five NDA constituents in the state.
West Bengal's new government, led by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, has approved several key policy changes, including the implementation of the Ayushman Bharat health scheme, land transfer for border fencing, and the adoption of new criminal laws.
The West Bengal government, led by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, has announced the implementation of several key administrative and policy measures, including the adoption of the Ayushman Bharat health scheme, land transfer to the BSF for border fencing, and the implementation of the BNS criminal law.
The West Bengal government, led by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, has announced the implementation of several key administrative and policy measures, including the adoption of the Ayushman Bharat health scheme, land transfer to the BSF for border fencing, and the implementation of the BNS criminal law.
A women's group has demanded an inquiry into visuals purportedly showing cricketer Riyan Parag using a vape-like device during an IPL match, questioning whether the incident was an attempt to normalise banned products.
Balbir Punj, a former Rajya Sabha MP, journalist, and BJP leader, has died at the age of 76. Tributes have poured in from prominent leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, recognising his contributions to the party and the world of media.
Union Health Minister J P Nadda launched a scathing attack on the TMC in West Bengal, accusing it of appeasement politics, shielding infiltrators, and presiding over a corrupt and lawless regime.
The Uttar Pradesh Police Special Task Force (STF) has arrested a member of an interstate gang involved in the illegal smuggling of oxytocin injections in Lucknow and seized a large quantity of the drug.
'She was not a yes person. She would tell the truth and her feelings to Indira Gandhi, and Indira Gandhi would value her opinion. The same was the case with Rajiv Gandhi who would value her opinion.'
Inspections conducted across 49 entities including pharmacies, wholesalers, and clinics to detect violations and misleading marketing practices.
'The unregulated marketing has to stop. People are getting recommendations for this from gym trainers, from marriage counsellors -- that is simply unacceptable.' ''There are many ways to lose weight -- eat less, fast, exercise, eat healthy. That is how you lose weight.'
Union Minister JP Nadda accuses the West Bengal government of aiding infiltrators, claiming it will lead to original inhabitants becoming a minority. He also criticizes the TMC for alleged corruption and failure to implement the Ayushman Bharat scheme.
The Indian government addressed opposition concerns regarding the West Asia crisis in an all-party meeting, outlining its strategy for ensuring the security of the Indian diaspora, fulfilling energy needs, and maintaining diplomatic relations with key partners. The government also dismissed Pakistan's reported mediation efforts.
The Centre has allowed companies to begin lab testing immediately after filing applications instead of waiting for detailed scrutiny, in a move to expedite approvals for manufacture, or import of new drugs.
Union Minister JP Nadda accuses the West Bengal government of sheltering infiltrators, leading to demographic changes and hindering development.
The Supreme Court of India has allowed passive euthanasia for a 32-year-old man who has been in a permanent vegetative state since 2013, highlighting the legal and ethical considerations surrounding the right to die with dignity.
The Supreme Court will examine whether the reduction in NEET-PG qualifying marks affects the standard of postgraduate medical education, following petitions challenging the cut-off reduction for the current academic year.
Two suspected cases of Nipah virus have been detected in West Bengal, prompting a national outbreak response team to be deployed. The central government is providing full support to the state.
The government on Sunday gave a strong push to upgradation and expansion of healthcare infrastructure, medical education and pharma sector with the Union Budget 2026-27 announcing a slew of steps, including those aimed at making India a global hub for allied healthcare professionals and biopharma manufacturing.
The Union health ministry has issued draft rules to mandate a blue vertical strip on all antimicrobial drug labels, aiming to rein in over-the-counter misuse and tackle India's growing antimicrobial resistance (AMR) problem.
'To fill these seats, eligibility is being diluted. We are compromising merit and producing degree holders instead of good doctors.'
The Union health ministry has banned the manufacture, sale and distribution of all oral formulations containing the popular painkiller nimesulide above 100 milligrams for human use, citing health risks.
A bus accident in Sirmaur, Himachal Pradesh, has resulted in 13 fatalities and numerous injuries. The bus veered off the road and fell into a deep gorge. Rescue operations are underway, and authorities are providing assistance to the victims and their families.
Nitin Nabin, a five-time Bihar MLA, has been elected unopposed as the BJP national president, becoming the youngest person to hold the position. His appointment signals a generational shift in the party's leadership as it prepares for key state elections.
The clinics are expected to operate for at least two hours daily, particularly between September and March -- the period when air pollution levels are typically high.
Following the death of 22 children due to consumption of contaminated cough syrups in Madhya Pradesh three months ago, the Union health ministry has proposed amendments in the country's drug rules to ensure a tougher criterion for their over-the-counter (OTC) sales in India.
