WHO launches first biosimilar medicine to treat Breast Cancer

On December 18, 2019, the World Health Organization launched its first biosimilar medicine to treat breast cancer. The WHO intends to make the expensive, life-saving treatment affordable for women all over the world. Highlights WHO launched a biosimilar medicine “Trastuzumab” ..

Month: Current Affairs - December, 2019

Facts Box: ICMR Guidelines on Gene Therapy

The Indian Council on Medical Research has issued guidelines on Gene Therapy. The aim of the guideline is to enable the stakeholders comply with the R&D of Gene Therapeutic Products being produced and tested inside the country. Overview of the ..

Month: Current Affairs - December, 2019

World Economic Forum Report: India slips to rank 112 in Gender Gap

On December 17, the World Economic Forum released its report according to which India ranked 112th in terms of gender gap. The report said that the India was ranked in bottom-five in terms of survival and economic participation. Highlights: India ..

Month: Current Affairs - December, 2019

ICMR: Task Force on Gene Therapy

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) will set up a task force on gene therapy in order to encourage research in the field. The purpose of setting up the task force is to explore gene editing based therapeutic approaches ..

Month: Current Affairs - December, 2019

International Universal Health Coverage Day 2019

The International Universal Health Coverage Day is an international observance as per the United Nations resolution 72/138. The day was first observed in 2017 with the objective that everyone, everywhere around the world should have access to quality and affordable ..

First Polio case in 27 years reported in Malaysia

The Malaysian Health Ministry confirmed on Sunday, 8th December 2019 that a 3-month-old boy has been diagnosed with type vaccine-derived poliovirus type 1(VDPV1), making it the first case reported in 27 years of the highly infectious virus in Malaysia. The ..

FDA investigating genotoxic compounds in drugs

The US Food and Drug Administration has been on the look out for genotoxic compounds contamination in some drugs used for dealing with diabetes. The FDA had found instances of genotoxin contamination in drugs like Zantac. Genotoxic compounds are those ..

Negative impact of palm oil use in developing countries

The use of palm oil is widespread in developing countries because of its cheap availability. It is extracted from the fruits of the African Oil Palm tree. It is used in different forms: refined, blended or in the form of ..

Florence Nightingale Award

The President of India conferred the National Florence Nightingale Award to the nursing personnel on December 5th. The award is a recognition of meritorious service conferred to individuals in the nursing profession. The President termed the profession as ‘symbol of ..

New rules for AYUSH hospitals

New norms have been introduced for the AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy sectors) regarding the conditions of medical reimbursement. The IRDAI or Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India issued guidelines earlier in November. As a consequence, the ..