Rs 21 Cr Cap, Intake Criteria Revised in DoP’s Medical Devices Skill Development Scheme

New Delhi: The Department of Pharmaceuticals (DoP), under the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, has issued a corrigendum modifying the operational guidelines of the sub-scheme “Capacity Building and Skill Development for Medical Devices” under the broader scheme “Strengthening of Medical Device Industry.”

The revisions were approved during a meeting of the Scheme Steering Committee (SSC) held on April 9, 2025.

According to the corrigendum dated June 9, 2025, amendments have been made to certain provisions of Chapter IV of the sub-scheme guidelines originally issued on November 8, 2024.

One of the key changes reaffirms the provision of continued financial assistance to Central Government universities and institutes for conducting multidisciplinary postgraduate courses in medical devices. The objective remains to build infrastructure for education and research in medical devices and to develop a skilled workforce aligned with the evolving needs of the sector.

The funding provision has been revised to clarify that the DoP will now provide up to 75% of the course cost or Rs 21 crore, whichever is lower, strictly on a reimbursement basis, as and when expenditure is incurred.

Additionally, the financial support per student—Rs 25,000 per month for diploma students and Rs 10,000 per month for certificate or skill development programs—will now be reimbursed to training institutes on a quarterly basis.

Another significant update relates to the refund mechanism. Institutions that discontinue the program midway or fail to comply with DoP-approved conditions will be required to refund the grant. However, the revised clause specifies that expenditure incurred and claimed toward non-recurring expenses will not need to be refunded.

To ensure the program’s effectiveness, the government has also introduced stricter conditions related to student intake. If actual admissions fall below 30% of the approved intake in the first year or below 50% in the second or third year, the continuation of financial support may be reconsidered.

The corrigendum confirms that all other clauses of Chapter IV remain unchanged and notes that the changes have been made with the approval of the Competent Authority.

For more details, check out the full notice:

https://medicaldialogues.in/pdf_upload/corrigendum-dated-962025-1-290671.pdf

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Over Rs 2 Cr Semaglutide Theft at Dr Reddy’s Srikakulam Unit, Staff Among 8 Arrested

Srikakulam: In a serious breach of supply chain and internal controls, a group of eight individuals, including current and former pharmaceutical staff, have been apprehended for allegedly stealing semaglutide powder worth over Rs 2 crore from Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories’ API manufacturing unit in Andhra Pradesh.

The incident took place at the pharma major’s SEZ facility in Pydibhimavaram, Srikakulam district. The theft reportedly occurred over multiple instances and involved the diversion of semaglutide, a high-value active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) used in the manufacture of anti-diabetic and weight loss drugs such as Ozempic and Wegovy.

According to police officials quoted in Times of India, the suspects include an active employee from the formulation plant, a former staffer from the warehouse team, and six others who colluded to smuggle the material and channel it into the black market.

Also Read: Delhi HC Restrains Dr Reddy’s from Selling Semaglutide Drug in India Amid Novo Nordisk Row

An official from the police investigation stated, “An employee working in the formulation block and a former staffer in the warehouse played a key role. Six others collaborated with them in executing the theft.”

The gang reportedly sold the diverted API to unauthorized buyers in major metros like Mumbai and Chennai. The culprits allegedly packed the stolen semaglutide in food delivery containers to avoid detection while transporting it out of the premises.

Initial reports suggest that multiple kilograms of the product had already been trafficked before the matter came to light. Based on internal audits and inventory checks, the pharmaceutical company lodged a formal complaint, prompting police to launch an investigation.

“They smuggled the powder in food delivery containers to avoid suspicion and sold it in cities like Mumbai and Chennai,” the police added.

Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories has not yet released a formal public statement on the matter. However, TOI reports that industry insiders say that such internal breaches in high-value API manufacturing facilities underscore the need for enhanced surveillance and stricter material accountability protocols.

The pharmaceutical industry, particularly those involved in GLP-1 agonist API production, has taken note of the incident, as semaglutide continues to remain in high global demand and commands a premium price across regulated and semi-regulated markets.

Law enforcement authorities are continuing further investigation, and more arrests are expected in connection with the illegal diversion of pharmaceutical-grade semaglutide.

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NEET PG 2025: 3 New Exam Centres Added in JnK

Jammu & Kashmir- The National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) has recently released the tentative list of exam cities for the National Eligibility and Entrance Test-Postgraduate (NEET PG) exam for the academic year 2025. In this, three more new NEET-PG exam centres have been added in Jammu and Kashmir.

The three new NEET-PG exam centres include Baramulla, Budgam and Pulwama of J&K. These 3 new centres are now among the new centre options in addition to the already existing Samba, Jammu and Srinagar centres.

Earlier, there were only two examination centres in Jammu and Kashmir, one in Srinagar and the other in Jammu. Adding new examination centres will ease the difficulties of the candidates from Jammu and Kashmir.

Also Read: NEET PG 2025 Tentative list of 233 exam cities released, Here’s How to select

The move comes after aspirants from Jammu and Kashmir urged authorities to set up additional exam centres in Srinagar and Jammu for NEET PG-2025. They had said that nearly 90 per cent of the candidates were allotted centres in Jammu while only a few have got centres in Srinagar, reports Rising Kashmir.

Last year, around 2,800 candidates appeared for the NEET PG exam. Whereas, this year the number has increased to 4,000 and is expected to reach 5,000 by 2026. Despite this increase, the number of exam centres in Jammu and Kashmir remains limited.

Medical Dialogues recently reported that the NBE has increased the number of exam cities, following the Supreme Court’s direction to the exam conducting body to conduct the exam in a single shift. The exam is scheduled to be held on August 3 in computer-based mode.

Now, as per the revised list of exam cities released by NBE, the NEET PG 2025 exam will be conducted in a total of 233 exam cities. Earlier, as per the NEET PG exam 2025 information bulletin, the exam was to be conducted in a total of 179 cities.

Also Read: NEET PG Supreme Court Hearing: With Double Shift Concerns Over, What will be Discussed Next?

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Exposure to ‘forever chemicals’ before birth may raise blood pressure during teen years, research suggests

Children exposed before birth to synthetic compounds called “forever chemicals” had higher blood pressure during their teenage years, according to research published in the Journal of the American Heart Association. The study was also presented at the Society for Epidemiologic Research (SER) Conference in Boston.

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Earned sick leave alone is not enough for uninsured workers, study finds

Earned sick leave—short-term, paid time off for employees who are sick or injured or must care for sick or injured family members—has been found to reduce the spread of infectious diseases in the workplace and increase employee access to preventive care.

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Algorithm streamlines vascular system design for 3D printed hearts

There are more than 100,000 people on organ transplant lists in the U.S., some of whom will wait years to receive one—and some may not survive the wait. Even with a good match, there is a chance that a person’s body will reject the organ. To shorten waiting periods and reduce the possibility of rejection, researchers in regenerative medicine are developing methods to use a patient’s own cells to fabricate personalized hearts, kidneys, livers, and other organs on demand.

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Illegal clinics busted in Panipat, 2 FIRs registered

Karnal: The Chief Minister’s Flying Squad raided two illegally operating clinics in Panipat, leading to the registration of two separate FIRs. The raids revealed serious violations, including individuals running medical facilities without valid licenses, degrees, or regulatory approvals-posing a significant threat to public health.

In the first case, Shabir Ali, a local resident, was booked at the Model Town police station under Sections 18(a)(i) and 18(c) of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, Section 34 of the National Medical Commission Act, and Section 318(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), reports Hindustan Times.

Also Read: Quack who is Class 8 dropout arrested in Ganjam

The raid was carried out following a tip-off received by the Civil Surgeon of Panipat and led by Vishal, a medical officer at the general hospital. Upon entering the clinic, the squad found Shabir Ali seated in the doctor’s chair, claiming he was operating the clinic. While the board displayed the name of Ali’s daughter, a BAMS graduate, who he said moved to Saharanpur after getting married in November 2024.

The team also discovered a large stock of allopathic and injectable medicines, with some bearing the name Dr. S Khan. The fake doctor also failed to present any valid medical qualifications or operating license, prompting the FIR.

In a separate incident, another Panipat resident was found illegally running Dev EH Hospital and Medical Institute near Deswal Chowk. A second FIR was lodged at the Old Industrial police station under similar sections of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, the National Medical Commission Act, and the BNS.

Also Read: 2 Quacks booked for illegal practice

Speaking to Hindustan Times, Panipat deputy chief medical officer Subash Galawat stated in his complaint that Devender presented certificates claiming a BEMS (Bachelor of Electropathy Medicine Surgery) degree and registration with the Electronomopathy Medical Council, Panchkula.

However, the team determined that these certificates are not recognized by the National Medical Commission or any legally authorized medical body. The FIR notes that the legitimacy of the council issuing these certificates needs verification by appropriate regulatory authorities.

Both individuals are now under investigation for unauthorized medical practice, which could pose serious health risks to unsuspecting patients.

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Breast Reconstruction in Older Patients Linked to Greater Efficiency, shorter operative time: Study

A new study published in the Journal of Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery showed that older patients undergoing breast reconstruction tend to have shorter operative times and quicker reconstruction completion compared to younger patients. This may be due to increased patient motivation, fewer aesthetic concerns, or surgeons’ efforts to reduce anesthesia duration in this age group.

Breast cancer treatment is important because it may save lives, improve quality of life, and lessen the effects of this common and sometimes fatal illness. Enhancing the quality of life for survivors is becoming more and more important as breast cancer survival rates rise, and breast reconstruction is a key component of this effort. Even though recent research suggests that age shouldn’t be a deterrent to breast reconstruction following a mastectomy, older women’s use rates are still disproportionately low.

Although reconstruction is performed on over half of mastectomy patients, less than 10% of these individuals are older than 60. Older patients are less likely to use breast reconstruction, even if results and satisfaction are comparable across age groups. Therefore, in order to determine the variables causing this gap, Jacquelyn Roth and team carried out this study to look at age-related disparities in care schedules and surgical length.

From 2017 to 2023, information on individuals undergoing breast reconstruction was gathered. The duration of index and aggregate procedures, the time between the diagnosis of breast cancer and the consultation for plastic surgery (PS), the index reconstructive surgery, and the final reconstructive treatment were among the outcomes. Both absolute age and age-quartile mediated differences in outcomes were examined using multivariate regression.

Q1 (15.8–44.2 years, mean=38, n=415), Q2 (44.2–52.1, mean=48; n=415), Q3 (52.1–60.6, mean=56; n=416), and Q4 (60.6–85.4, mean=67; n=413) were the age-based quartiles (Q) into which 1659 patients were separated. Comorbidity loads, reconstruction modality, and insurance type varied substantially among quartiles, with Q4 patients having the largest burdens.

According to multivariate regression, shorter index (β=−0.002, P=0.019) and aggregate (β=−0.002, P=0.005) procedure durations were predicted by increasing age. In terms of clinical timescales, shorter timeframes between diagnosis and ultimate surgery were predicted by increasing age (β = -0.006, p = 0.013).

When compared to Q1 patients, Q2 (β = -0.263, p = 0.046) and Q4 (β = -0.625, p = 0.021) patients had shorter time between diagnosis and PS consult. Overall, when compared to younger patients, older individuals having breast reconstruction had shorter operating times and faster reconstruction completion times. 

Source:

Roth, J., Godek, M., Yu, B., Fung, E., & Taub, P. J. (2025). Older age may predict expedited care for motivated breast reconstruction patients. Journal of Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery: JPRAS, 106, 416–425. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bjps.2025.05.031

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FDA Approves First Triple-Drug Polypill for Initial Hypertension Treatment

The FDA has approved Widaplik, a polypill combining telmisartan, amlodipine, and indapamide, for the treatment of hypertension in adults, including as initial therapy. This is the first triple-combination pill approved for first-line treatment in patients likely to require multiple medications to reach blood pressure targets.

WIDAPLIK is a proprietary single pill combination of three medicines: telmisartan, amlodipine and indapamide and is available in three doses: a standard dose and two low doses. It is the first and only FDA-approved triple combination medication for use as an initial therapy in patients likely to need multiple drugs to achieve blood pressure goals. WIDAPLIK, with its three different doses, can deliver the efficacy benefits of a triple mechanism approach early in the treatment pathway with an established safety profile and good tolerability.

Globally recognized treatment guidelines now recommend the use of single pill combination therapy for most patients and acknowledge the benefit of early use of combination therapy.

In the US, nearly half of adults have hypertension and only around one in four have their blood pressure under control. Hypertension is a major risk factor for coronary heart disease, stroke and heart failure and is estimated to cause 460,000 deaths in the US each year.

Mark Mallon, Chief Executive Officer of George Medicines, said: “Data show that most patients with hypertension will require two or more medicines to bring their blood pressure under control. WIDAPLIK can provide patients with hypertension, including those who are starting treatment, with a different approach to control their blood pressure. With its triple combination efficacy, established safety profile, good tolerability and its availability in a single pill, WIDAPLIK has the potential to address key challenges in current hypertension treatment approaches. With planning underway for the upcoming US commercial launch of WIDAPLIK, and further regulatory submissions in other territories anticipated during 2025, George Medicines is well-positioned to positively impact the global burden of hypertension.”

Dr. Paul Whelton, Show Chwan Chair of Global Public Health at Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana, and Past President of the World Hypertension League, said: “I am very excited and pleased to have WIDAPLIK approved for the treatment of hypertension in the US. Single pill combination antihypertensive therapy has great potential to improve hypertension control in the US and worldwide. Most patients with hypertension need multiple therapies to achieve their blood pressure goals. The new dose options available with WIDAPLIK offer a treatment regimen that could benefit a broad range of patients, including those just starting treatment.”

The FDA approval is based on positive results from two international Phase 3 trials, which compared WIDAPLIK against placebo and against dual combinations of its component drugs.

In both trials WIDAPLIK significantly improved blood pressure and control rates vs comparators. In clinical trials, the most common adverse event reported in patients treated with WIDAPLIK is symptomatic hypotension. WIDAPLIK is contraindicated in patients with anuria, known hypersensitivity to telmisartan, amlodipine, indapamide, or to other sulfonamide-derived drugs, or to any other component of this product. In patients with diabetes, WIDAPLIK is not to be co-administered with aliskiren. A boxed warning in the labeling informs physicians and patients to discontinue WIDAPLIK as soon as possible after pregnancy is detected due to fetal toxicity. For full Prescribing Information, visit here.

The US commercial launch of WIDAPLIK is anticipated in Q4 2025.

George Medicines is an independent spin-out company from The George Institute for Global Health, one of the world’s leading medical research institutes with a focus on addressing global health inequity. The Company’s WIDAPLIK development program built on earlier research by The George Institute, including the 700-patient TRIUMPH trial undertaken in Sri Lanka in 2016/17, which found that among patients with mild to moderate hypertension, treatment with a low-dose triple combination pill led to an increased proportion of patients achieving their target blood pressure goal versus usual care.

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High Eosinophil Counts in COPD Patients Tied to Increased Risk of Heart Failure and Kidney Disease: Study Shows

China: A new study published in BMC Pulmonary Medicine highlights a significant association between elevated blood eosinophil counts and the presence of extrapulmonary health conditions in individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Conducted by Dr. Hong Chen and colleagues from Chengdu Second People’s Hospital and Sichuan University, the research suggests that eosinophilic inflammation may contribute to systemic complications in COPD beyond the well-known respiratory effects.

The researchers analyzed data from the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) covering 2013 to 2018. The study focused on 614 adults diagnosed with COPD, categorizing them based on their blood eosinophil counts (BEC): those with levels below 300 cells/μL and those with levels at or above this threshold.

The study led to the following findings:

  • Patients with elevated eosinophil counts (≥300 cells/μL) had a significantly higher prevalence of extrapulmonary comorbidities than those with lower counts.
  • 85.3% of individuals in the high-eosinophil group had at least one extrapulmonary condition versus 71.4% in the low-eosinophil group.
  • After adjusting for potential confounders, high eosinophil levels were associated with a two-fold increase in the odds of having any extrapulmonary comorbidity (OR 2.03).
  • Elevated eosinophil counts were linked to a 69% higher risk of congestive heart failure (OR 1.69).
  • High eosinophil levels were also associated with nearly double the risk of renal dysfunction (OR 1.95).
  • There was no significant association between eosinophil levels and pulmonary comorbidities.
  • The findings suggest that eosinophilic inflammation may play a role in systemic health issues beyond the respiratory system.

“Our analysis indicates that higher eosinophil counts in COPD patients may serve as a signal for non-respiratory complications, particularly involving the cardiovascular and renal systems,” noted the authors.

To strengthen their findings, the researchers conducted sensitivity analyses using additional eosinophil cutoffs, which consistently confirmed the association between rising eosinophil levels and increased risk of extrapulmonary disease.

The authors emphasized the potential clinical implications of these results, suggesting that therapies targeting eosinophilic inflammation might benefit lung function and help mitigate broader health risks in COPD patients. However, they called for further prospective studies to explore causal pathways and determine how best to incorporate eosinophil monitoring into comprehensive COPD management strategies.

“The study highlights the importance of viewing COPD as a systemic disease and not just a condition of the lungs, especially when elevated eosinophil levels are present,” the authors concluded.

Reference:

Chen, H., Hu, X., He, C. et al. Association of blood eosinophil counts with pulmonary and extrapulmonary comorbidities in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: data from NHANES 2013–2018. BMC Pulm Med 25, 256 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12890-025-03734-6

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