Health Bulletin 17/ April/ 2024

Here are the top health stories for the day:

NMC sets deadline for medical colleges to submit MBBS interns’ and resident doctors’ stipend details

In compliance with the directions issued by the Supreme Court, asking for the details of the stipend paid to the MBBS interns and resident doctors, the National Medical Commission (NMC) has directed medical colleges across the country to submit the details by 23rd April 2024.

Issuing a public notice, the Apex medical education regulatory body has asked for the details of the stipend paid to their UG Interns, Post-Graduate Residents, and Senior Residents or PGs in Super Specialty for the financial year 2023-24 as per the annexure provided with the notice.

For more details, check out the full story on the link below:

NMC Gives Deadline To All Medical Colleges To Submit Details Of Stipend Paid To MBBS Interns, Resident Doctors


NEET PG 2024 includes post-MBBS DNB, diploma, and 6-year DrNB courses; no separate DNB PDCET

There will be no separate DNB PDCET this year for admission to various Post MBBS DNB courses, Direct 6 Years DrNB and Post MBBS Diploma Courses and the merit list of NEET PG 2024 will be utilised for admission to these courses. This was recently announced by the National Board of Examination (NBE) in its NEET PG 2024 information bulletin.

The NBE has invited applications for the NEET PG 2024 for admission to various MD, MS, PG Diploma Courses, Post MBBS DNB Courses, Post MBBS Direct 6-year DrNB courses and NBEMS diploma courses. On this, NBE has released the information bulletin of NEET PG 2024 which details the merit list, eligibility criteria and allotment and reservation of seats for Post MBBS DNB, Direct 6-year DRNB and NBEMS Diploma courses. The registration process for NEET PG 2024 has started from 16th April 2024 from 3 PM onwards and will be valid till 6th May 2024 at 11:55 pm.

For more details, check out the full story on the link below:

No Separate DNB PDCET This Year! NEET PG 2024 For Post MBBS DNB, Diploma And Direct 6-Year DrNB Courses


MKCG Medical College Hospital successfully performs laparoscopic bilateral adrenalectomy on 9-year-old girl

Berhampur: Doctors at the government-run MKCG Medical College and Hospital recently achieved a milestone by performing a laparoscopic bilateral adrenalectomy on a 9-year-old girl suffering from Cushing syndrome, an exceptionally rare condition. This marked the first instance of such a procedure in the state.

Cushing syndrome is caused due to a rare genetic disease called primary pigmented nodular adrenocortical disease (PPNAD), an extremely rare disorder with a prevalence of less than one in two lakh. The doctors took around three hours to perform the laparoscopic on April 9, said a doctor.

For more details, check out the full story on the link below:

MKCG Medical College Hospital Doctors Perform Laparoscopic Bilateral Adrenalectomy On 9-Year-Old Girl


Doctor and hospital fined Rs 17 lakh for misdiagnosis, wrong dosage, and record forgery

Palakkad: The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (DCDRC) recently held a doctor and a private hospital in Palakkad guilty of medical negligence for administering the wrong dosage of folitrax containing Methotrexate (MTX) leading to the patient’s death and directed them to pay Rs 17 lakh as compensation. The consumer court noted that there was grave negligence on the part of the orthopaedic doctor and the hospital and records were forged to hide vital information of the treatment.

Filing the plea before the consumer court, the deceased patient’s family members alleged that the doctor had administered MTX at 7.5 mg twice daily when the medical protocol dictates that the permissible dosage of MTX is 7.5 mg per week.

For more details, check out the full story on the link below:

Misdiagnosis, Prescribing Wrong Dosage, Forging Of Records: Doctor, Hospital Slapped Rs 17 Lakh Compensation

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India refutes Lancet report on its healthcare spending

Following a Lancet report on low healthcare spending, government sources defended their efforts, stating allocation is at an all-time high. The National Health Policy aims for 2.5% of GDP by 2025, urging states to boost health budgets annually. Budget estimates for Health and Family Welfare surged from Rs 36,948 crore in 2014-15 to Rs 86,175 crore in 2023-24, a 133.23% increase.

The 15th Finance Commission allocated Rs 70,051 crore for health grants through local governments. National Health Accounts show a rise in total health expenditure from Rs 4,83,259 crore in 2014-15 to Rs 6,55,822 crore in 2019-20. Government health spending as a percent of GDP increased from 1.13% to 1.35%, with out-of-pocket expenditure decreasing from 62.6% to 47.1%.

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NEET PG 2024: Here is eligibility criteria for PG medical entrance exam

New Delhi- The National Board of Examination (NBE) has invited applications for NEET PG 2024 for admission to various MD, MS, PG Diploma Courses, Post MBBS DNB Courses, Post MBBS Direct 6-year DrNB courses and NBEMS diploma courses. On this, NBE has released the Information Bulletin of NEET PG 2024 detailing the eligibility criteria for the candidates.

The registration process for NEET PG 2024 has been started from 16th April 2024 from 3 PM onwards and will be valid till 6th May 2024 at 11:55 pm.

NEET PG 2024 will be conducted on the computer-based platform at various examination centres across the country on June 23, 2024, and the result will be declared by July 15, 2024. 

Also Read: NEET PG 2024 Registration Begins today at 3pm, Know how to apply

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

The eligibility criteria for admission to MD, MS and PG Diploma Courses are as follows:

1 Candidates in possession of an MBBS degree or Provisional MBBS Pass Certificate and possess a permanent or provisional registration certificate of MBBS qualification issued by the NMC/ the erstwhile Medical Council of India or State Medical Council and have completed one year of internship or are likely to complete the internship on or before 15th August 2024, may apply for NEET-PG 2024 through online application system at NBE official website.

2 Candidates found to be ineligible at any stage of NEET-PG 2024 will not be permitted to appear in the examination and/or counselling. In the unlikely event of any ineligible candidate appearing and/or being successful in the NEET-PG 2024, the results/ candidature of such candidate shall be cancelled and/or deemed to be cancelled.

3 Requests for appearing in NEET-PG 2024 from candidates completing internship after 15th August 2024 or having qualifications that are not recognised shall be summarily rejected. Therefore, candidates are further advised not to canvass for the same.

4 The dates indicated by candidates with regard to 12 months Compulsory Rotating Resident Internship in the application form (i.e. internship starting and completion date) shall be treated as final and candidates will be required to submit the original Compulsory Rotating Resident Internship completion certificate at the time of counselling/admission in allotted Medical College/ Institute.

5 The cut-off dates for the recognition of the Medical Colleges, from where the candidates have passed their MBBS Degree Course and completed compulsory rotatory Internship for the year 2024 will be as prescribed by the NMC. The Colleges recognised after the cut-off date prescribed by the NMC will not be considered.

6 Registration with the NMC/ the erstwhile Medical Council of India or State Medical Council is necessary and its documentary proof should be furnished by the candidates on the day of examination and at the time of counselling/admission.

7 Some of the Universities/Institutions have regulations that candidates who are already pursuing the PG Course in their University or in another University are not eligible for admission till they complete the course. The candidates who are already pursuing PG Courses either through All India Quota or State Quota and are applying for a seat under All India Quota/State quota seats may confirm the eligibility conditions of that University in this regard. NBEMS/ MoHFW/Designated Counseling Authority shall not be responsible if such candidates are refused for admission. Such candidates may opt for the subject and the college at their own risk and cost.

8 Eligibility of candidates issued admit card for the examination shall be purely provisional. Appearance in NEET-PG 2024 does not confer any automatic rights upon the candidate for admission to MD/MS/ PG Diploma courses.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR FOREIGN MEDICAL GRADUATES

Indian citizens or overseas citizens of India who have obtained their Primary Medical Qualifications from Medical Colleges outside India should have qualified the Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (Screening Test) which is conducted by the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences. Further, they should have been registered with the NMC/ the erstwhile Medical Council of India or State Medical Council and should have completed their internship or likely to complete their internship on or before 15th August 2024.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR FOREIGN NATIONALS

1 Their basic Medical Qualification equivalent to MBBS should be recognised by the National Medical Commission.

2 Foreign Nationals desirous of appearing in NEET-PG and those, who are required to have security clearance as per the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) requirements, shall obtain the security clearance from the Ministry of Home Affairs, Govt. of India before applying for the NEET-PG examination. The security clearance shall be required to be submitted while applying for the NEET-PG examination.

3 The National Medical Commission may, on payment of the prescribed fee for registration, grant temporary registration for the duration of the postgraduate course limited to the medical college/institution to which he/she is admitted for the time being exclusively for pursuing postgraduate studies. Provided further that temporary registration to such foreign national shall be subject to the condition that such person is duly registered with appropriate registering authority in their own country where from they has obtained his Basic Medical qualification, and is duly recognised by the corresponding Medical Council or concerned authority and Permission/No Objection Certificate from the medical council of that country to allow undertaking Post Graduation in India has also been obtained.

4 Candidates are advised not to canvass with NBEMS for eligibility in NEET-PG or issuance of admit card. Queries, if any, can be submitted through the Communication Web Portal only. Canvassing in any form shall invite rejection of the application.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA for Post MBBS DNB Courses, Post MBBS Direct 6-year DrNB courses and NBEMS diploma courses

Candidates in possession of an MBBS degree or Provisional MBBS Pass Certificate and possess a permanent or provisional registration certificate of MBBS qualification issued by the NMC/ the erstwhile Medical Council of India or State Medical Council and have completed one year of internship or are likely to complete the internship on or before 15th August 2024, may apply for NEET-PG 2024 through online application system at NBE official website.

Candidates already pursuing a DNB/DrNB Direct 6 years course are not eligible for admission to another DNB/DrNB Direct 6 years course till such time they have completed the entire duration of the prescribed course which they have left incomplete. This shall be irrespective of their resignation or discontinuation from the course due to any reason.

IMPORTANT DATES

S.NO

PROCESS

TIMELINES

1

Online Submission of Applications

16th April 2024 (3 PM Onwards) to 6th May 2024 (Till 11:55 PM).

2

Edit Window for All Payment Success Applications (Any information/documents can be edited except Name, Nationality, Email, Mobile number and Test City).

10th May 2024 to 16th May 2024.

3

Final and Selective Edit Window to rectify Deficient/Incorrect Images (No further opportunity shall be given)

1Photograph

2 Signatures

3 Thumb Impression

Pre-Final Edit Window: 28 May to 3rd June 2024 Final Edit Window: 7th June to 10th June 2024.

4

Issue of Admit Card.

18th June 2024.

5

Examination Date.

23rd June 2024.

6

Declaration of Result.

By 15th July 2024.

7

The cut-off date for completion of internship towards eligibility for NEET-PG 2024.

15th August 2024.

HOW TO FILL ONLINE NEET PG 2024 APPLICATION FORM

The following sequence shall be observed while filing the online application form:

1 Fill out the user registration form to generate the User ID/Application ID and Password.

2 User ID and Password will be sent through SMS and Email.

3 Complete the application form and upload your Photograph, Scanned signature, Thumb impression & Prescribed documents.

4 Choose your Test City and pay the Examination Fee.

5 Agree to the declaration and Submit the Application.

6 Take a printout of the filled Application form with Transaction ID printed on it and payment status mentioned as “S” (Successful) for records.

Also Read: Breaking News: NMC reschedules NEET PG 2024, here are important dates

EXAMINATION FEE

S.NO

CATEGORIES OF CANDIDATES

EXAMINATION FEE

1

General, OBC and EWS

Rs. 3500/

2

SC, ST, PWD

Rs. 2500/-

The prescribed exam fee should be remitted through a payment gateway provided using a Credit Card or a Debit Card issued by banks in India or other modes as may be made available and have been provided on the web page.

To view the information Bulletin, click the link below

https://medicaldialogues.in/pdf_upload/nbems-neet-pg-2024-information-bulletinjpg-236237.pdf

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USFDA approves Selarsdi injection for subcutaneous use to treat severe plaque psoriasis, active psoriatic arthritis: Alvotech, Teva

Reykjavik: Alvotech and Teva Pharmaceuticals, a U.S. affiliate of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., have announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved SELARSDI (ustekinumab-aekn) injection for subcutaneous use, as a biosimilar to Stelara, for the treatment of moderate to severe plaque psoriasis and for active psoriatic arthritis in adults and pediatric patients 6 years and older. Under the strategic partnership between Teva and Alvotech, Teva is responsible for the exclusive commercialization of SELARSDI in the United States.

“The approval of SELARSDI – which is our second biosimilar approval this year – underscores Teva’s commitment to expanding the availability, access and uptake of this important treatment option to patients in the U.S.,” said Thomas Rainey, Senior Vice President, U.S. Market Access at Teva. “The biosimilars market is growing, both globally and in the U.S., and biosimilars are a key component of delivering on Teva’s Pivot to Growth strategy. The partnership model that we’ve established enables us to leverage our commercial presence and experiences globally as we move to bring additional biosimilars to market.”

Robert Wessman, Chairman and CEO of Alvotech, added, “We are delighted to announce our second biosimilar approval in the U.S., which is the thirty-eighth approved market for our biosimilar to Stelara globally. Bringing SELARSDI to market in the U.S. early next year presents a significant opportunity to improve patient access to a vital biologic in inflammatory disease and contribute to the reduction of inflationary pressure in healthcare costs. The development of SELARSDI leveraged our purpose-built end-to-end development and manufacturing platform for biosimilars. Being able to develop the biosimilar in the same cell type and continuous perfusion process as was used for the reference product, facilitated the development program’s success.”

Ustekinumab is a human monoclonal antibody (mAb) that selectively targets the p40 protein, a component common to both interleukin (IL)-12 and IL-23 cytokines, which play crucial roles in treating immune-mediated diseases like psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. Alvotech developed and produces SELARSDI using Sp2/0 cells and a continuous perfusion process, which are the same type of host cell line and process used in the production of Stelara.

Sales of the reference product Stelara in the U.S. were nearly $7 billion in 2023. The availability of a Stelara biosimilar will create opportunities for cost savings across the healthcare system and introduce additional treatment options for patients. In the U.S., plaque psoriasis is the most common form of psoriasis while psoriatic arthritis accounts for approximately six percent of all cases of juvenile arthritis.

In June 2023, Alvotech and Teva announced that they had reached a settlement and license agreement with the manufacturer of the reference biologic, Johnson & Johnson, granting a license entry date for SELARSDI in the United States no later than February 21, 2025.

In August 2020, Alvotech and Teva entered into a strategic partnership for the exclusive commercialization of five of Alvotech’s biosimilar product candidates, and in August 2023, the collaboration was extended to include two additional biosimilars and new presentations of two previously partnered products. Alvotech handles development and manufacturing, while Teva is responsible for the exclusive commercialization in the U.S., which leverages Teva’s experience and extensive sales and marketing infrastructure. SELARSDI is the second biosimilar approved under the strategic partnership: in February 2024, the FDA approved SIMLANDI, the first high-concentration, citrate-free biosimilar to Humira that has been granted an interchangeability status by the FDA.

The FDA approval of SELARSDI, referred to as AVT04 during development, was based on a totality of evidence, including analytical and clinical data. The clinical development program included data from: 1) Study AVT04-GL-301, a randomized, double blind, multicenter, 52-week study to demonstrate equivalent efficacy and to compare safety and immunogenicity between SELARSDI and the reference product Stelara in patients with moderate to severe chronic plaque-type psoriasis. The study was conducted in four countries in Europe and enrolled 581 patients. The primary efficacy endpoint was Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) percent improvement from Baseline to Week 12; 2) Study AVT04-GL-101, a Phase I, randomized, double-blind, single-dose, parallel-group, 3-arm study to compare the pharmacokinetic, safety, tolerability, and immunogenicity profiles of SELARSDI, administered as a single 45mg/0.5mL subcutaneous injection with that of the US-licensed Stelara as well as EU-approved Stelara. The study was conducted in Australia and New Zealand and enrolled 294 healthy adult volunteers.

Read also: Sanofi-Teva Pharma to co-develop, co-commercialize inflammatory bowel disease treatment

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Healthy diet lowers heart disease risk in breast cancer survivors, study finds

A new paper in JNCI Cancer Spectrum finds that following a healthy diet lowers the risk of cardiovascular disease in breast cancer survivors.

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Most female athletes support categorization by biological sex, research finds

The majority of female athletes (58%) support categorization by biological sex, rather than gender identity, but views differ according to sporting context, a new study shows.

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Researchers find ethnic minorities are underrepresented in studies into multiple long-term health conditions

New research shows that ethnic minorities are underrepresented in studies into multiple long-term conditions (MLTCs), despite being more likely to be affected.

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Working arrangements for locum doctors pose significant patient safety challenges, finds study

Working arrangements for locum doctors pose significant patient safety challenges for the NHS in England, although there are opportunities to be grasped too, finds qualitative research involving a broad spectrum of health professionals, published online in the journal BMJ Quality & Safety.

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Age-related and contractual factors stronger drivers of NHS clinical staff retention than organizational ones: Study

Age-related and contractual factors seem to be stronger drivers of NHS hospital clinical staff retention than organizational factors, suggests research published in the journal BMJ Open.

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NMC gives deadline to all Medical Colleges to Submit Details of stipend paid to MBBS Interns, Resident Doctors

New Delhi: In compliance with the directions issued by the Supreme Court, asking for the details of the stipend paid to the MBBS interns and resident doctors, the National Medical Commission (NMC) has directed medical colleges across the country to submit the details by 23rd April 2024.

Issuing a public notice, the Apex medical education regulatory body has asked for the details of the stipend paid to their UG Interns, Post-Graduate Residents, and Senior Residents or PGs in Super Specialty for the financial year 2023-24 as per the annexure provided with the notice.

The medical colleges will have to submit the details of their name and address, the amount of stipend paid by the State Government, and the month-wise details of the stipend paid to the MBBS interns, 1st/2nd/3rd-year Post-Graduate Residents, and 1st/2nd/3rd-year Senior Residents or PGs in Super Specialty for the academic year 2023-2024.

“Hon’ble Supreme Court of India in the WP (Civil) No. 730/2022 & other cases vide their orders dt. 16.09.2023 and 01.04.2024 has directed NMC to submit the details of stipends paid to the Medical interns and residents and accordingly, all the Health Institutions / Medical colleges are hereby directed to submit to NMC the details of stipend paid to their UG Interns, Post-Graduate Residents and Senior Residents or PGs in Super Specialty for the financial year 2023-24 as per Annexure 1 on E-mail ID:- stipend23- 24@nmc.org.in by 23.04.2024 positively,” NMC mentioned in the notice dated 16.04.2024.

NMC has provided a similar annexure for the details of the stipend paid to medical students for the academic year 2024-2025. However, in this regard, NMC mentioned, “Further for financial year 2024-25 onwards these details should be uploaded on the website of the Medical College / Medical Institutions concerned and required to be updated on monthly basis (by 5th of every month thereafter) as per the Annexure 2 and at the end of each financial year the complete statement be submitted to NMC on E-mail ID:- stipend24-25@nmc.org.in.”

The NMC directions come after the Supreme Court order in this matter. Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that the Apex Court was considering the issue of non-payment of stipends to the MBBS interns across the country. The top court bench had directed NMC to submit the details of the stipend paid to MBBS interns in all the medical colleges across all the States within four weeks.

During the last hearing of the case, the Supreme Court referred to its earlier order dated 15.09.2023, through which NMC was told to respond to the claim by filing an affidavit giving a tabulated chart of colleges that were paying the stipend to the interns and which were not paying.

Noting that the details submitted by NMC were not of all the medical colleges across all the States, the Apex Court bench comprising Justices Sudhanshhu Dhulia and Prasanna Bhalachandra Varale ordered on April 01, 2024, “The details which have been given by the National Medical Commission is not of the entire medical colleges in the States and therefore, the direction given by this Court in its order dated 15.09.2023 at para 10 had not been complied with. Let the same be done positively within a period of four weeks from today.”

To view the NMC notice, click on the link below:

https://medicaldialogues.in/pdf_upload/public-notice-for-stipend-detail-from-medical-colleges-236292.pdf

Also Read: Submit Details of Stipend paid to MBBS Interns by Medical Colleges in All States: SC Directs NMC

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