Who

Just 1 in 4 MSME pharma units set for GMP transition as deadline nears

Firms not complying with norms risk shutdowns once inspections begin next year

Only 5% disease-focused genomic studies in low, middle-income nations: WHO

More than 80 per cent of genomic studies across the world looking into diseases are concentrated in high-income countries, and under five per cent in low and middle-income countries, according to a new global analysis by the World Health Organization (WHO). More than 6,500 genomic clinical studies were registered globally between 1990 and 2024 via the WHO's International Clinical Trials Registry Platform, with a steep rise after 2010 driven by advances in sequencing technologies, lower costs and wider applications, it said. China led the list of top ten countries ranked by total number of genomic clinical studies registered over the past three decades, followed by the United States and Italy. India featured among the top 20 countries. "Fewer than five per cent of all studies were conducted in lower middle-income and low-income countries combined, while high-income countries accounted for over 80 per cent of all genomic studies," authors of the 'Human genomics technologies in clinica

Global malaria surge: WHO warns of rising cases, deaths and drug resistance

The latest WHO malaria report shows infections and deaths rising in 2024, driven by drug and insecticide resistance, funding gaps and climate pressures, threatening years of global progress

WHO issues first guidelines backing GLP-1 drugs for obesity management

WHO has issued its first guidelines recommending GLP-1 drugs for long-term obesity treatment in adults, while stressing equitable access, health system readiness and lifestyle support

WHO calls for 'responsible use' of GLP-1 drugs for long term obesity care

The guideline reframes obesity as a chronic disease needing lifelong care, recommending GLP-1 therapies with behavioural support rather than relying on medication alone

National Epilepsy Day: Why awareness, diagnosis, and timely care matter

With awareness drives and screenings underway across the country, National Epilepsy Day 2025 calls attention to rising cases, preventable causes and the need to reduce stigma around epilepsy

Diabetes on the rise: World diabetes day 2025 pushes for early care

With diabetes impacting families across the globe, World Diabetes Day 2025 focuses on raising awareness, encouraging prevention and strengthening access to timely care.

Global TB cases hit 8.3 million in 2024, deaths fall to 1.23 million: WHO

The number of people diagnosed with tuberculosis worldwide rose again last year, eclipsing 2023's record total, World Health Organisation officials said Wednesday. About 8.3 million people across the globe were reported as newly diagnosed with TB in 2024. Not all infections are diagnosed and the new numbers represent 78% of the estimated number of people who actually fell ill last year, the WHO noted. WHO officials see the increase as an indication that screening and treatment are improving after health care disruptions during the COVID-19 pandemic. Globally, the number of deaths caused by TB fell in 2024 to 1.23 million, down from 1.25 million the year before. US tuberculosis cases continued to rise last year reaching the highest level in more than a dozen years, according to preliminary data released earlier this year. The vast majority of US TB cases are diagnosed in people born in other countries. Tuberculosis is caused by bacteria that attack the lungs, and is spread through

India's air pollution killed 2 mn in 2023, worsening chronic diseases: Study

Air pollution is driving a wave of chronic, life-threatening illnesses across India, the State of Global Air 2025 reveals, with most deaths tied to non-communicable diseases.

No more ‘ORS’ drinks: Why did FSSAI ban the use of ‘ORS’ tag?

India’s food regulator, FSSAI, has banned the use of the term “ORS” on any beverage or food product that doesn’t meet WHO standards. >

WHO launches 5-year plan to protect Asia-Pacific from climate disasters

With Asia and the Pacific among the most climate-vulnerable regions, WHO's new blueprint aims to build resilient health systems and protect millions from rising risks.

News highlights: Nitish Kumar's residence sealed off as protests erupt over ticket allocation

Latest news updates, October 14: Catch all the latest news developments from across the world here

WHO issues alert against 3 cough syrups linked to MP children's deaths

CDSCO had earlier informed the global health body that none of the syrups were exported to other countries

Death in a bottle: Toxic cough syrups once again prove fatal for children

Toxic cough syrups have once again proven fatal for children. This time, the tragedy has happened in India. Here's a look at why this sordid tale never seems to let up

WHO warns against three Indian cough syrups including deadly Coldrif

The WHO identified specific batches of Coldrif (Sresan Pharmaceuticals), ReLife (Shape Pharma), and Respifresh TR (Rednex Pharmaceuticals) as contaminated

WHO's new TB guidelines calls for food assistance to tackle disease

The World Health Organisation has released new guidelines to tackle tuberculosis and undernutrition, recommending that food assistance be provided to households with TB patients while the undernourished or food insecure be screened for the disease. The shift in the global TB policy is inspired by the pathbreaking Reducing Activation of Tuberculosis by Improvement of Nutritional Status (RATIONS) trial by Indian researchers. The RATIONS trial, conducted in Jharkhand and published in The Lancet and The Lancet Global, highlighted the vital role nutrition plays in reducing mortality among people living with active TB, as well as in reducing incidence among household contacts of pulmonary tuberculosis patients. The ICMR-supported RATIONS trials were led by a research team headed by Dr Anurag Bhargava and Dr Madhavi Bhargava from Kasturba Medical College and Yenepoya Medical College, respectively. The studies showed that weight gain in the first two months was associated with a 60 per cen

WHO redefines TB care with new focus on food and nutritional support

The new guidelines from WHO call for integrating nutrition into TB programmes worldwide, emphasising assessment, and targeted food support for those in need

WHO asks India if cough syrup linked to child deaths was exported

The children died in India over the past month after consuming cough medicine containing toxic diethylene glycol in quantities nearly 500 times the permissible limit, officials says

New health guidelines aim to end deaths from bleeding after childbirth

The WHO, FIGO and ICM have released new global guidelines to detect and treat postpartum haemorrhage faster, offering hope to save thousands of mothers each year

One shot every six months: India could change HIV prevention forever

A long-acting HIV jab promises near-perfect protection at just $40 a year, but 115 nations must wait for India's approval of generic production