Lifestyle

New Delhi, July 22 (IANS) The Delhi High Court on Wednesday agreed to examine a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) challenging the Centre's rollout of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination programme for adolescent girls under the Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP).

A Division Bench of Chief Justice, Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia issued notice on the plea and directed the Union government to place on record, by next week, data relating to adverse events following HPV vaccination.

During the hearing, the CJ Upadhyaya-led Bench observed that the issues raised in the petition are of a serious nature, particularly as they concern girl children.

The Delhi High Court also asked Additional Solicitor General Chetan Sharma to assist the court in the matter.

The PIL, filed through advocate Rohit Kumar, seeks protection of the constitutional rights of young girls, including their rights to life, personal liberty, bodily autonomy and informed consent under Articles 21 and 19 of the Constitution.

The petition challenges the inclusion of the HPV vaccine, Gardasil, in the Universal Immunisation Programme and alleges that the vaccine is being administered to girls aged around 14 years in schools and public health facilities without proper informed consent or prior approval from parents.

It further alleged that frontline health workers, including ASHA workers, have been assigned enrolment targets, resulting in undue pressure on young girls to receive the vaccine.

"The entire programme has been launched without any credible data with respect to the efficacy of the vaccine and the actual requirement of the population," the plea stated.

Referring to an alleged case involving a 14-year-old girl from Tamil Nadu, the petition claimed that she developed severe neurological symptoms, including loss of voice, paralysis-like weakness, inability to walk and blurred vision, within days of receiving the HPV vaccine in March this year.

It also referred to similar reported incidents from Gwalior and Bihar to question the safety monitoring mechanism.

The plea contended that compulsory vaccination violates the settled constitutional principle of bodily integrity and personal autonomy under Article 21, arguing that no individual can be compelled to undergo vaccination or any other medical treatment without informed consent.

It also referred to concerns raised in the past regarding HPV vaccines, including the findings of the 72nd Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health and Family Welfare (2013), which had flagged alleged irregularities in clinical trials of Gardasil and Cervarix, including deviations from protocol and lapses in obtaining participants' consent.

The petition further argued that HPV infection is only one among several risk factors associated with cervical cancer and claimed that the long-term effectiveness of HPV vaccines remains uncertain. It submitted that regular screening of women between the ages of 30 and 65 years remains the most effective strategy for preventing cervical cancer.

The petition also referred to international litigation involving Gardasil, claiming that Merck & Co. had announced a settlement exceeding $50 million in more than 200 lawsuits alleging serious health complications following vaccination.

According to the plea, these developments raise additional concerns regarding the vaccine's long-term safety profile. Seeking judicial intervention, the petition has prayed for appropriate directions regarding the implementation of the HPV vaccination programme, contending that the present rollout raises serious concerns relating to informed consent, safety, scientific basis and public health priorities.

--IANS

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New Delhi, July 22 (IANS) Union MoS Ayush, Health & Family Welfare, Prataprao Jadhav, has written to Defence Minister Rajnath Singh proposing the establishment of Ayush outpatient departments and Ayush‑based treatment services across Military and Field Hospitals, an official statement said on Wednesday.

Jadhav noted that while the Armed Forces have robust modern medical infrastructure, integrating India’s traditional systems of medicine could strengthen preventive, promotive and holistic healthcare for defence personnel.

In his letter, Jadhav highlighted the vital role played by the Armed Forces Medical Services in providing healthcare to the country's soldiers serving in diverse and often challenging operational environments.

He said many military and field Hospitals currently lack dedicated Ayush services and opening them would provide soldiers with greater access to evidence-based traditional healthcare, particularly in the areas of preventive healthcare, lifestyle management, rehabilitation and overall well-being.

Jadhav emphasised that the inclusion of Ayush services would complement the existing healthcare framework and contribute to a more comprehensive and patient-centric model of care for Armed Forces personnel.

He also noted that such an initiative would further promote the integration of India's rich traditional medical heritage with the country's public healthcare delivery systems.

He has also conveyed that the Ministry of Ayush is fully prepared to extend all necessary technical support, professional guidance and institutional cooperation, including signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), to facilitate the implementation of the initiative.

The government has strengthened quality assurance, regulatory compliance of Ayush drugs, including those sold on e‑commerce platforms through several regulatory measures and schemes, another statement said.

The Drugs & Cosmetics Act, 1940 and Drugs Rules, 1945 provide exclusive regulatory provisions for Ayurvedic, Siddha, Sowa‑Rigpa, Unani and Homoeopathy drugs and require manufacturers to meet licensing conditions to manufacture for sale.

The Ministry has launched the Ayush Suraksha Portal for real-time reporting and monitoring of misleading advertisements and suspected adverse drug reactions.

—IANS

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New Delhi, July 22 (IANS) Analysts on Wednesday said that there would be minimal impact on Indian pharma companies supplying medicines to US market, as US President Donald Trump has announced plans to impose tariffs on generic drugs from 2028.

Multiple Indian companies have subsidiaries in the US and there is considerable difference in the pricing at which goods are transferred to US market and then subsequently sold in US market. The tariff is presumably at pricing at which it enters US market.

Secondly, 90 per cent of generic prescription is imported by US, effectively increasing the tariff for everyone (as and when it happens) supplying to US market and it is not India specific, said Tushar Manudhane, SVP, Institutional Research Analyst–Healthcare, Motilal Oswal Financial services Ltd

“Also, the concept of outsourcing to countries like India is based on 40-60 per cent lower cost of manufacturing in India compared to that in US. Tariff implementation would still fall short and would not lower this advantage of low cost manufacturing from India,” Manudhane explained.

Even if the manufacturing plant is set up (which itself takes two years at least), it would be required to undergo plant inspection and subsequent product approval cycle of at least 12-15 months, further prolonging any competition to kick in.

“Above factors questions the economic viability of setting up a manufacturing plant in US for generics. This effectively would mean minimal impact on the Indian pharma companies supplying medicines to US market,” the analyst noted.

India is often called the "pharmacy of the world" as it supplies generic medicines to countries across the globe.

In the US, Indian generic medicines make up nearly 40 per cent by volume.

In financial year 2024-2025, India exported $9.7 billion worth of pharmaceuticals to the US, accounting for 38 per cent of its total global pharma exports of $25.8 billion, according to data from Global Trade Research Initiative.

Trump has announced that imported generic medicines will remain free of tariffs for two years from August 1, 2026, before facing duties of 100 per cent and later 200 per cent as part of his push to shift pharmaceutical production to the United States.

The announcement gives overseas generic drug manufacturers a two-year window to establish production facilities in the US or face steep tariffs on medicines shipped to the American market.

Trump said the phased tariff structure was intended to encourage drugmakers to invest in American manufacturing facilities.

—IANS

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Mumbai, July 22 (IANS) India’s pharmaceutical sector dipped notably on Wednesday after US President Donald Trump outlined a phased tariff plan on imported generic medicines, fuelling concerns over the long‑term outlook for drugmakers that rely heavily on US sales.

The Nifty Pharma index fell nearly 2 per cent in early trade, making it the worst‑performing sectoral index on the National Stock Exchange in early trade.

The Nifty Pharma index fell 1.85 per cent to 25,610 against Nifty, down 169 points or 0.70 per cent at 24,017.

Selling was broad‑based across the sector even as Gland Pharma led losses down 4.54 per cent. Aurobindo Pharma was down 2.89 per cent, while Glenmark was down 3 per cent and Zydus Lifesciences fell about 2.28 per cent.

Ajanta Pharma, Sun Pharma, Alkem Laboratories, Dr Reddy’s Laboratories, Mankind Pharma and Divi’s Laboratories also traded lower by 1.3 to 3 per cent. Among Nifty 50 constituents, Cipla, Sun Pharma and Dr Reddy’s were among the top early losers, down about 1.29 to 1.95 per cent.

Trump has outlined a staggered tariff regime for generics, under which imports would remain duty‑free for two years from August 1, 2026, rise to 100 per cent from August 1, 2028, and then to 200 per cent a year later.

The policy aims to encourage pharmaceutical manufacturing to shift to the United States, Trump said on Truth Social, adding that tariffs on patented and branded medicines will remain unchanged.

The announcement triggered a selloff in Indian pharmaceutical companies, which are among the largest suppliers of affordable generic medicines to the US.

Some analysts noted that manufacturing generic medicines in the US would incur 25-30 per cent higher costs than in India and shifting production is hard to be accomplished in the two-year transition period allowed by Trump.

—IANS

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Mumbai, July 21 (IANS) Pharmacy retail chain MedPlus Health Services Limited on Tuesday reported a 21.8 per cent year-on-year (YoY) decline in its consolidated net profit for the first quarter of FY27.

The company reported a net profit of Rs 33 crore for the April-June quarter, compared with Rs 42 crore in the corresponding period last fiscal (Q1 FY26), according to its stock exchange filing.

Revenue from operations rose 21.8 per cent year-on-year to Rs 1,879.6 crore during the quarter, up from Rs 1,542.6 crore in Q1 FY26.

However, profitability remained under pressure. EBITDA increased marginally by 1.9 per cent to Rs 133.2 crore from Rs 130.7 crore a year ago, while the EBITDA margin contracted to 7.1 per cent from 8.5 per cent.

The company's gross margin also narrowed by 160 basis points to 24.5 per cent from 26.1 per cent in the year-ago quarter.

Operating performance remained subdued, with operating EBITDA declining to Rs 65.1 crore from Rs 72.8 crore in the corresponding quarter last year. Operating EBITDA margin fell to 3.5 per cent from 4.7 per cent.

During the quarter, MedPlus continued to expand its retail footprint by adding 146 new stores, including 131 franchisee outlets, strengthening its presence across key markets.

Alongside its quarterly results, the company announced plans to diversify its healthcare and wellness offerings through fresh investments in Telangana.

MedPlus said its material subsidiary, Optival Health Solutions Private Limited, intends to establish a food park in Hyderabad that will include a cold press oil extraction unit. The proposed project will involve an investment of around Rs 40 crore towards land development, construction, machinery, utilities, filling and packing lines, and other related capital expenditure.

The company also plans to set up a Concierge Health & Wellness Services Facility in Hyderabad. The proposed centre will offer preventive healthcare, diagnostics, specialist consultations and wellness services through a subscription-based membership model. The project is expected to involve an investment of around Rs 115 crore, including capital expenditure of Rs 90 crore.

Shares of MedPlus Health Services Limited ended the day at Rs 802.40 on the BSE, gaining Rs 1.45, or 0.18 per cent, ahead of the earnings announcement.

--IANS

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New Delhi, July 21 (IANS) The government has strengthened quality assurance, regulatory compliance of Ayush drugs, including those sold on e‑commerce platforms through several regulatory measures and schemes, an official statement said on Tuesday.

The Drugs & Cosmetics Act, 1940 and Drugs Rules, 1945 provide exclusive regulatory provisions for Ayurvedic, Siddha, Sowa‑Rigpa, Unani and Homoeopathy drugs and require manufacturers to meet licensing conditions to manufacture for sale, MoS Ayush Prataprao Jadhav said in Rajya Sabha.

Drug Inspectors of states or UTs collect medicine samples regularly from manufacturing firms or retail shops within their jurisdiction and send them to Drug Testing Laboratory for quality testing.

Samples found falling short of standard quality, will lead to legal actions as per Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 and Rules made thereunder.

An Ayush vertical has been created in the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) to strengthen regulatory measures ensuring safety and quality of Ayush drugs.

A Quality Certifications Scheme by the Quality Council of India grants Ayush Standard and Ayush Premium marks after third‑party evaluation, the statement noted.

The Ministry of Ayush implements a Central Sector Scheme namely, Ayush Oushadhi Gunavatta Evam Uttpadan Samvardhan Yojana (AOGUSY) to promote standardization, quality manufacturing, analytical testing, strengthen regulatory frameworks, safety monitoring and surveillance of misleading advertisements.

It supports manufacturers and MSMEs to upgrade pharmacies and drug testing laboratories toward WHO‑GMP and NABL standards.

The Ministry has launched the Ayush Suraksha Portal for real-time reporting and monitoring of misleading advertisements and suspected adverse drug reactions.

All India Institute of Ayurveda, has been designated as the nodal officer for issuing notices to digital intermediaries in respect of misleading advertisements relating to Ayush drugs.

E-commerce platforms have been advised to facilitate the sale of Ayush drugs only after the user uploads a valid prescription issued by a registered Ayurveda, Siddha or Unani medical practitioner, as applicable.

Further, all Research Councils and National Institutes under the ministry disseminate evidence-based information on Ayush products and systems through Information, Education and Communication (IEC) activities, publications, journals, outreach programmes, electronic and print media, and digital platforms.

—IANS

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New Delhi, July 21 (IANS) The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has licensed three indigenous biomedical technologies to leading domestic pharmaceutical and vaccine makers for development, manufacturing and commercialisation, an official statement said on Tuesday.

These technology transfers mark another significant step towards accelerating the translation of publicly funded research into affordable healthcare solutions and strengthening India's biomedical innovation ecosystem, the statement from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said.

The technologies include SHetA2, a novel anti-HPV therapeutic candidate for the treatment of Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia (CIN), licensed to Emcure Pharmaceuticals Ltd.

The two next-generation vaccine technologies against enteric bacterial infections, developed at ICMR–National Institute of Research in Bacterial Infections (ICMR-NIRBI), Kolkata, were also licensed to Biological E Ltd.

SHetA2 was developed through a collaboration between Dr. Showket Hussain, ICMR National Institute of Cancer Prevention and Research (ICMR-NICPR) and Dr. Doris M. Benbrook, Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma, USA.

It is a first-in-class targeted therapeutic candidate that selectively eliminates HPV-induced precancerous and cervical cancer cells while sparing healthy cells.

The technology has the potential to provide a safe, affordable and minimally invasive treatment option for cervical cancer, the statement added.

Vaccine technologies developed by the team include a fusion construct containing Salmonella typhi outer membrane protein as a promising next-generation typhoid vaccine candidate.

It also includes a recombinant vaccine composition against Salmonella typhi or paratyphi and Shigella infections, designed to provide broader protection against major enteric bacterial pathogens.

Together, these technologies have the potential to strengthen India's efforts in cancer prevention and infectious disease control while advancing indigenous development of next-generation therapeutics and vaccines.

ICMR has established an integrated innovation ecosystem that supports healthcare technologies across the innovation continuum—from discovery and intellectual property protection to clinical validation, regulatory facilitation and commercialisation, the statement said.

—IANS

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Gandhinagar, July 20 (IANS) Gujarat has confirmed 12 cases of Chandipura virus (CHPV) out of 63 suspected infections reported this year, with the state government intensifying surveillance, treatment, and vector control measures as laboratory testing continues on the eight remaining samples.

The current situation was reviewed at a meeting chaired by Health Minister Praful Pansheriya on Monday, who directed officials to conduct detailed investigations into the travel history and case history of infected patients to better understand the source of transmission.

According to the Health and Family Welfare Department, 55 of the 63 suspected samples have been tested so far, of which 12 were found positive.

Nine of the confirmed cases are from Gujarat, while three patients are from neighbouring Rajasthan. Eight laboratory reports are still awaited. The department confirmed that eight of the 12 confirmed patients have died.

Providing district-wise details, the Health Minister said two confirmed cases have been reported each from Panchmahal and Kheda districts, while one case each has been recorded in Sabarkantha, Mehsana, Bharuch, Bhavnagar, and the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation area.

The minister said, "Once a case is reported from a particular area, intensive surveillance in that pocket becomes essential."

He instructed officials to carry out a detailed examination of patients' travel history and case history to understand the source of the virus.

The Health Department said all 63 suspected patients have been admitted to medical colleges, district hospitals or multispeciality hospitals and are receiving treatment.

Samples from every suspected case are being sent to the Gujarat Biotechnology Research Centre (GBRC) in Gandhinagar for laboratory testing. Rapid Response Teams are investigating every suspected case and conducting focal surveillance in affected areas.

The state has also undertaken vector control measures, including dusting and spraying, along with Information, Education and Communication (IEC) activities to raise public awareness.

Officials said extensive health screening has been conducted in thousands of kutcha and pucca houses across affected areas.

Dusting operations are being carried out on a war footing around kutcha houses and cattle sheds to control sand flies and other insects believed to transmit the virus.

The Health Department added that paediatric intensive care unit beds, essential medicines and ventilators have been made available at civil hospitals and superspeciality hospitals across all district headquarters.

In collaboration with the Indian Academy of Paediatrics, 1,993 paediatricians across Gujarat have also received training through Continuing Medical Education (CME) programmes. "117 sand fly samples have been tested across the state so far, and all have returned negative results," officials added.

Chandipura virus was first identified in 1965 in the village of Chandipura in Maharashtra. It is primarily transmitted by sand flies and mainly affects children under 15.

The infection can cause sudden fever, vomiting, seizures, and unconsciousness, and, in severe cases, may lead to Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES).

Pansheriya said the virus is generally more active during the monsoon season and until September. "As the virus primarily affects young children, if any child develops symptoms such as sudden high fever, seizures, vomiting, diarrhoea or unconsciousness, parents should immediately contact the nearest government hospital or a paediatric specialist without wasting any time," he said.

Appealing to the public to remain vigilant, the department advised parents to seek immediate medical attention if children develop symptoms such as fever, vomiting, seizures, or unconsciousness.

It also urged people to avoid self-medication, wear full-sleeved clothing, use mosquito nets and maintain cleanliness around their homes to minimise contact with sand flies.

--IANS

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New Delhi, July 20 (IANS) India has approved its first dengue vaccine, with the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) granting market authorisation to Takeda Biopharmaceuticals India's QDENGA, marking a significant milestone in the country's efforts to combat one of its most widespread mosquito-borne diseases, it was announced on Monday.

The vaccine has been approved for individuals aged between 4 and 60 years and can be administered irrespective of whether a person has previously been infected with dengue.

Unlike some earlier dengue vaccines, QDENGA does not require pre-vaccination screening, allowing eligible individuals to receive the vaccine without undergoing tests to determine prior dengue infection.

Takeda said the approval strengthens India's dengue prevention strategy at a time when the country continues to bear one of the world's highest disease burdens, with all four dengue virus serotypes circulating in several regions.

"Since its launch in 2022, QDENGA has been approved in 43 countries, with more than 32 million doses distributed globally. This approval marks an important step forward in strengthening dengue prevention in India," said Mahender Nayak, Head of Intercontinental Markets at Takeda.

The company said the approval was supported by evidence from its global clinical development programme, comprising 19 Phase I, II and III clinical trials involving more than 28,000 participants across dengue-endemic and non-endemic countries.

The Indian regulator also considered data from the Phase III DEN-302 clinical trial conducted in India, which evaluated the vaccine's safety and immune response among individuals aged 4 to 60 years.

According to Takeda, long-term follow-up data collected over seven years demonstrated that QDENGA continues to provide protection against dengue infection and dengue-related hospitalisation caused by all four virus serotypes.

The vaccine is administered as two subcutaneous injections of 0.5 ml each, given three months apart.

Goh Choo Beng, Medical Affairs Head for Takeda's Southeast Asia and India Cluster, said the vaccine is designed to protect against all four dengue virus serotypes regardless of previous exposure.

"Its approval represents an important step in strengthening India's comprehensive approach to dengue prevention, alongside vector control, surveillance, community awareness and other public health measures," he said.

--IANS

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New Delhi, July 19 (IANS) Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology Dr Jitendra Singh on Sunday called for a nationwide ‘Jan Andolan’ against cancer, diabetes, obesity and other non-communicable diseases, saying India's response to the growing burden of lifestyle disorders must extend beyond hospitals and evolve into a mass public movement focused on prevention, early diagnosis and evidence-based healthcare.

Addressing the launch of "UNBROKEN: My Battle with Cancer and the Will to Lead", authored by cancer survivor and former Department of Science and Technology Senior Adviser Dr Akhilesh Gupta, the minister said the country faces not only a rising burden of non-communicable diseases but also the growing challenge of health-related misinformation.

“India's response to the growing burden of Cancer, Diabetes, obesity and other non-communicable diseases must move beyond hospitals and become a mass public movement centred on early detection, right medical advice and evidence-based healthcare,” the minister mentioned.

He stressed that scientific communication and evidence-based medical advice have become more important than ever in achieving the vision of Viksit Bharat.

“The country today faces not merely a lack of awareness but also the challenge of widespread health misinformation, making scientific communication and evidence-based health communication more important than ever for realizing the vision of Viksit Bharat,” Dr Singh mentioned.

The minister said cancer, diabetes, obesity, fatty liver disease and other metabolic disorders are emerging as some of India's biggest public health challenges and are increasingly affecting younger age groups.

“Many cancers are now treatable or manageable if detected early, making timely screening and prompt medical intervention crucial to improving survival rates,” Dr Singh explained.

Expressing concern over rising obesity and unhealthy lifestyles, the minister said preventive healthcare should become a national habit rather than an individual choice.

“Balanced nutrition, regular physical activity and periodic health check-ups, must become integral to everyday life if India is to reduce the growing burden of lifestyle diseases,” he mentioned.

--IANS

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