Drugs

CDSCO flags indiscriminate use of painkillers, antibiotics over CKD risk

Drug regulator asks healthcare professionals and pharmacists to discourage indiscriminate use of NSAIDs and antibiotics, citing risks of kidney damage and CKD

Novo Nordisk aims to launch more than five blockbuster drugs by 2030: CEO

The company is racing ​to reassure markets that ​it can navigate patent expirations for semaglutide - the active ingredient in its anti-obesity ​drugs Ozempic and Wegovy franchises, in the early 2030s

Top 10 pharma firms sustain volume growth as smaller rivals struggle

The top 10 in August included Sun Pharma, Cipla, Abbott, Mankind Pharma, Torrent Pharmaceuticals, Alkem Laboratories, Intas Pharmaceuticals, Lupin, Zydus Lifesciences and Dr Reddy's Laboratories

Cough syrups may soon get a red warning against use for children under 4

Drug regulator proposes prominent age warning and pictorial label on cough syrups; the move comes after continued concerns over use of such medicines in very young children

Centre proposes CCTV surveillance in pharmacies to check unauthorised sales

Draft rules require CCTV surveillance for prescription drug sales at licensed premises and mandate that recordings be preserved for a minimum period of three months

Roche gets Phase 3 trial waiver for higher dose of multiple sclerosis drug

CDSCO expert panel grants waiver for 920 mg Ocrelizumab, subject to Roche conducting a Phase 4 clinical trial in the Indian population for proposed indications

Cipla partners with Qilu to license, supply Keytruda biosimilar in US

Drug major Cipla Ltd on Thursday said its wholly owned subsidiary, Invagen Pharmaceuticals Inc, has entered into a strategic partnership with Qilu Pharmaceutical for the licensing and supply of a biosimilar to the cancer drug Keytruda in the United States. The product, QL2107, is a biosimilar to pembrolizumab (Keytruda) and aims to improve access to advanced therapies for cancer patients while lowering treatment costs, Cipla said in a regulatory filing. Under the agreement, Qilu will be responsible for the development, regulatory registration, and supply of the product, while Cipla will leverage its commercial presence to market the asset in the US. "This partnership reflects Cipla's confidence in the long-term potential of biosimilars and supports our strategy to build a strong oncology-focused portfolio," said Achin Gupta, Managing Director and Global Chief Executive Officer, Cipla. Hanchang Zhang, General Manager of Qilu Pharmaceutical, said, "We are pleased to establish this ..

Maharashtra govt approves policy to eradicate drugs from the state by 2029

The Maharashtra cabinet on Tuesday approved a policy aimed at eradicating drugs from the state by 2029 through extensive public awareness and strict action against narcotics with the participation of all departments. Maharashtra is the first state in the country to undertake such a comprehensive campaign, involving coordination among various departments, to create a drug-free state, a statement issued by the government said. Under the policy, strict action will be taken against the cultivation of crops that contribute to the production of illegal drugs, as well as the production, transportation, sale and consumption of natural and synthetic drugs. "The policy will focus on extensive public awareness and strict action against drugs, with the participation of all departments of the state government. To ensure the successful implementation of this comprehensive policy, responsibilities have been assigned from the village level to the district, divisional and ministerial levels," the ..

'Peptide Party' in Bengaluru cancelled after FSDA seeks event details

A "Peptide Party", scheduled for Saturday in Bengaluru, has been cancelled following a notice issued to the organisers of the event by the Karnataka Food Safety and Drug Administration Department seeking details about the event, officials said. The cancellation came a day after the FSDA sought detailed information from the organisers of the event on peptide preparations, including their composition, manufacturers, regulatory status, dosage and intended use, they said. Officials said that the proposed event was being publicised as an invite-only event featuring "peptide tastings", music, food and networking, as cited in their social media posts. Peptide parties are informal, invite-only social gatherings where biohackers, wellness enthusiasts, and fitness influencers meet to discuss, sample, or promote peptide-based products. The department has also issued an advisory to the general public regarding the "Peptide Party" event, originally scheduled to take place on August 29, in ...

Influenza cases push up sales of anti-infectives, painkillers across India

Doctors call the pickup largely seasonal and say most H3N2 and H1N1 cases are being treated at home, with hospitalisations remaining limited so far

Govt restricts 2-compound fixed drug combinations for children under 4

In a significant step to safeguard the health and safety of young children, the government has imposed restrictions on the manufacture, sale and distribution of all fixed dose combinations containing Chlorpheniramine Maleate and Phenylephrine Hydrochloride, mandating a clear warning that these medicines shall not be used in children below four years of age. Earlier, vide a notification dated April 15, 2025, the government had restricted certain fixed dose combinations (FDCs) containing the two chemical compounds, subject to the same age-specific warning. The latest notification extends this requirement to all formulations containing these two ingredients. The decision followed recommendations by an expert committee and the Drugs Technical Advisory Board (DTAB). The government noted that the use of such combinations may pose risks to children below four years of age and that safer alternatives are available. Manufacturers have been directed to clearly display the warning "Fixed Do

Centre imposes strict curbs on sale of four nerve-relaxing drugs

Move follows expert concerns over potential misuse and intoxication; retailers will have to maintain detailed sales records for the four CNS medicines under Schedule H1

Pilots' body urges DGCA to raise annual random drug testing to 25%

FIP has also proposed oral-fluid testing alongside urine tests and a 12-month pilot programme to assess its reliability, operational feasibility and cost

Dr Reddy's antibiotic gets Thailand approval six months after US nod

Thailand has become the second country after the US to approve Dr Reddy's first-in-class antibiotic zoliflodacin, a milestone that could accelerate access to the drug across emerging markets

Maharashtra FDA bars sale of some Cadila Pharma drugs over brand confusion

The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has barred the sale and distribution of some medicines manufactured by Cadila Pharmaceuticals Ltd and seized stock worth about Rs 2.45 crore across the state over branding similarities despite having different active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), officials said on Saturday. The order is linked to Aciloc 150, Aciloc 150 Plus, Aciloc 300 and Aciloc 300 Plus, which have Ranitidine and Famotidine as APIs, they said. The FDA has directed the company to immediately recall all available stocks of Aciloc 150, Aciloc 150 Plus, Aciloc 300 and Aciloc 300 Plus from the market over concerns that such branding could lead to medication errors. It has also barred the sale of Aciloc 150 Plus and Aciloc 300 Plus. "Any confusion caused by a medicine's brand name that could result in doctors, pharmacists or patients receiving the wrong drug is a serious public health concern," FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe said in a statement. He said complianc

Prescription, licence must to sell drugs with high-alcohol content

Oral drug formulations containing over 12 per cent ethyl alcohol will require prescriptions and licensed retail sale under new rules aimed at curbing misuse and hoarding

US recalls 2.5 mn bottles of India-made eye drops after contamination scare

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said the recall was started because of the potential presence of a foreign substance in the eye drops

Centre proposes easing shelf-life, licensing norms for imported drugs

Draft amendments propose a 12-month minimum residual shelf life for imported drugs and an acknowledgement-based mechanism for importing medicines for research

Alembic Pharma gets USFDA nod for drug to treat influenza A and B in babies

The drug that has received the final approval from the US regulatory body is Oseltamivir Phosphate for Oral Suspension, 6 mg/mL

Centre brings vaccines, anti-cancer drugs under QR code tracking regime

The Health Ministry will expand mandatory QR code-based traceability to vaccines, antimicrobials, anti-cancer, narcotic and psychotropic drugs in a phased rollout