Zydus Wellness registers 20 percent net sales growth in Q1

Ahmedabad: For the first quarter ended June 30, 2024, Zydus Wellness Ltd., recorded its highest ever Q1 net sales growth of 20 percent which stood at Rs. 8,391 million y-o-y. The Company registered growth in EBIDTA of 33.3% y-o-y basis to Rs. 1,553 million. Net profit for the quarter grew by 33.8% and stood at Rs. 1,477 million. Adjusted PAT grew by 39.6% y-o-y after eliminating exceptional items and one-time deferred tax assets from the comparable quarter of the previous year. During the quarter, the Company repaid its debt in full, thus de-leveraging its balance sheet and yet retaining its strong cash position at the quarter end.

During the quarter, the Company’s products posted excellent growth with its brands Glucon D, Nycil, Everyuth Peel-off and Scrub.
As the country faced a prolonged and intensive summer, the Glucose powder category grew by 21.3%*. Glucon-D continued to maintain its number one position with 59.7%* market share according to a release.
The brand penetration of Glucon-D increased by 160 basis points vs. last year. The sugar substitute category grew by 5.8%*. Sugar Free Green continues to experience strong double-digit growth driven by increasing volume uptake. Offering an aspartame free alternative, the Company has launched Sugar Free Gold+, a new formulation comprising sucralose and chromium, which helps maintain normal blood glucose levels.
I’Mlite, a unique formulation of sugar blended with stevia offers consumers 50% less calories than regular sugar. The product has gained a positive response in the market. The Everyuth brand holds the fifth 5 position with a 6.6%* market share in the overall facial cleansing segment level. In the Peel-off category which grew by 21.1%*, Everyuth Peel-off has a market share of 78.2%*, an increase of 200 basis points over the same period last year. Everyuth Scrub has a market share of 46.2%* in the facial scrub category, an increase of 373 basis points over the same period last year. During the quarter, the Company expanded its facial cleansing range with the launch of Everyuth pink clay & charcoal infused anti-pollution face wash, scrub and face pack.
Nycil, buoyed by the summer demand, recorded a consistent increase in household penetration in line with the Company’s strategy of recruiting new consumers, maintained its number one position with a market share of 34.9%* in the prickly heat powder category. The Company also launched a range of soaps under the Nycil brand in the international markets.
The Health Foods Drink Category has registered a growth of 4.3%*. Complan’s market share stood at 4.3%*. Besides, Complan forayed into the immunity boosting beverage space with the launch of Complan Immuno-Gro in select states.
During the quarter, the Company also launched Nutralite professional mayonnaise with tandoori range and Nutralite retail mayonnaise with carrot and cucumber sandwich.

Read also: Zydus Lifesciences gets Mexican marketing approval for Mamitra to treat various cancers 

Powered by WPeMatico

Newborns to get Birth certificates, Aadhaar cards at Govt Medical Colleges: Assam CM

Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma unveiled plans for a pilot project aimed at issuing Aadhaar cards and birth certificates simultaneously to newborns in 13 medical colleges across the state.

According to a PTI report, at a press conference, he said, “A centre will be set up in the medical colleges to issue Aadhaar cards to a newborn within days of its birth.

Initially, it will be launched in medical colleges, the project will extend to district hospitals, aiming to ensure children receive both documents soon after birth without having to queue later.”

Also Read:Guwahati Medical College achieves milestone with First Successful Cadaver Kidney Transplant

During a press conference, Sarma also outlined additional initiatives. He introduced a scheme providing Rs 2 lakh to Below Poverty Line (BPL) youths to start small businesses. 

District-wise interviews for the first phase will be held from August 16 to September 5, with funds distributed by September 30. In this phase, 30,000 youths will receive Rs 2 lakh each, and 70,000 more will receive funds in the second phase under the Mukhya Mantri Atma Nirbhar Asom, he added, news agency PTI reported.

Additionally, applications for the Mukhya Mantri Nijut Moina Scheme, providing financial aid to 3 lakh girl students, will begin on August 7. The Orunodoi 3.0 scheme will add 20 lakh new beneficiaries from September, raising the total to 47 lakh, contingent on Aadhaar and ration card possession, he said.

District commissioners have been tasked with increasing paddy, mustard, and maize procurement targets and the second edition of the Amrit Brikshya aims to plant three crore saplings by August 20. On November 20, a ‘Jhumur’ dance event featuring 8,000 dancers from the state’s tea gardens will be held to popularise the dance form, the CM said.

The two-day district commissioners’ conference, which concluded on Tuesday, addressed these initiatives, ensuring smooth implementation and the transparent conduct of forthcoming recruitment exams. District commissioners were instructed to abolish VIP culture in their districts. From October 2, sub-districts will function as ‘equivalent districts’, Sarma said.

The Chief Minister welcomed the sentencing of former Assam Public Service Commission (APSC) chairman Rakesh Paul, two former members, and 29 Agriculture Development Officers (ADO) involved in the cash-for-jobs scam. He confirmed that the convicted ADOs will be permanently dismissed from service soon.

Also Read:Assam CM lays foundation stone of Rs 116 crore Azara District Hospital

Powered by WPeMatico

UP scraps Seat Leaving Penalty, now Candidates to be Debarred from next academic year’s Counselling for Discontinuing medical courses

Lucknow: Complying with the National Medical Commission’s earlier direction, the Uttar Pradesh Director General of Medical Education and Training has removed the practice of imposing a seat-leaving penalty on candidates discontinuing the courses midway. Instead of imposing penalties on undergraduate and postgraduate medical candidates for leaving the seats midway, the State has decided to debar such candidates from the admission process for the next academic session.

Issuing an order in this regard on Friday i.e. 02.08.2024, the UP DMET mentioned, “It has been decided by Government Order No.-I/676928/2024 dated 26 June 2024 that after admission to the seats of undergraduate/postgraduate course of all the government and private sector medical/dental colleges/institutions/medical universities established in the state, the system of taking Seat Leaving Bond amount or penalty from any candidate before completing the course will be abolished and in place of this, as per the suggestion given in paragraph-5 of the letter dated 19.01.2024 of NMC, if the concerned candidate leaves the seat before completing the course, then he will be debarred from the admission process of the next academic session.”

“In view of the above, it is informed that the provisions contained in the Government Order dated 26.6.2024 will be applicable to the candidates admitted in undergraduate / postgraduate / superspeciality courses from the current academic session 2024-25. The provision of Government Order dated 26.6.2024 will not be applicable to the candidates admitted before the academic session 2024-25,” it further mentioned.

Medical Dialogues had reported earlier in June that the UP Government had abolished the fine imposed on MBBS/BDS students who leave their medical/dental education courses midway. However, in that case also, the Government continued debarring such students from taking admission to a medical education course in the next academic year.

Earlier this year, the Apex Medical Regulator NMC had already directed the State/UT governments to reconsider the seat leaving bond conditions for the PG medical students.

The Anti-Ragging Committee of NMC had recommended the State/UT to review the seat-leaving policy in medical colleges in an attempt to address the mental health concerns of PG medical students. Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that as an alternative, NMC had recommended that the States may consider debarring the students for admission in their States for the next one year.

Now complying with the NMC’s directions, the State has abolished the seat leaving penalty for the post-graduate and super-speciality medical students enrolled in various government, autonomous, and private medical or dental colleges and institutions. 

While responding to a query raised in this regard by Samajwadi Party leader Man Singh Yadav in the Vidhan Parishad, Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak confirmed this and said, “No medical student will be required to pay a penalty for vacating a seat mid-session. The state govt acknowledges that personal circumstances may compel such a decision, and our administration empathises with the needs of medical students.”

“However, such students will be debarred from seeking admission in the subsequent academic session,” Pathak added.

Also Read: No More penalty for leaving MBBS, BDS seats midway in Uttar Pradesh

Man Singh Yadav had alleged that several students at the Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences (SGPGIMS) were being harassed due to seat-leaving bond, the Times of India has reported.

This practice of imposing seat-leaving bond was started to secure commitment of medical students and discourage them from leaving seats abruptly. In UP, this amount was fixed at Rs 5 lakh, however, several states charge up to Rs 40 lakh as seat-leaving penalty.

Officials at the State Medical Education Department informed that the Director General of Medical Education Kinjal Singh issued the order on bond on July 24. The order stated, “Prioritising mental well-being of medical students, the state government has resolved to abolish the provision of seat-leaving bond and penalty. Instead, the National Medical Council’s recommendation of debarring such students from seeking admission in the subsequent academic session will be implemented.”

Commenting on the matter, the Executive registrar of SGPGIMS, Col Varun Bajpai termed the move as “pragmatic and student-friendly”. He said, “There are instances when many students, especially at the postgraduate level, realize that the subject they have chosen does not align with their skill set. For those who wish to make a fresh start, the bond acted as an impediment and a source of pressure, which the govt has now eliminated.”

Further, he mentioned that the clause of debarring such students from seeking admission in the subsequent academic session would prevent its misuse. Meanwhile, Departmental officials have opined that this decision of abolishing the seat-leaving penalty would benefit more than a lakh medical students enrolled in various medical institutes across UP.

Also Read: NMC considering to relax bond policies: Report

Powered by WPeMatico

Dr Kaushik Bhattacharya honoured as International Surgical Ambassador of Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh

Kishanganj: The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh have designated Dr Kaushik Bhattacharya as the International Surgical Ambassador (ISA) of the college.

The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh (RCSEd), one of the world’s oldest surgical colleges, established in 1505, has designated Dr. Kaushik Bhattacharya as their International Surgical Ambassador (ISA). This appointment is a significant honour, reflecting both the College’s rich history and Dr. Bhattacharya’s outstanding contributions to the field of surgery.

Dr Kaushik Bhattacharya hails from Siliguri in the Darjeeling District of West Bengal and is associated with the Mata Gujri Memorial Medical College and Lion Seva Kendra Hospital at Kishanganj in Bihar as an Associate Professor in the Department of Surgery.

 He has more than 200 publications in various International and National medical journals and awarded the Indian Medical Association National Best Medical Teacher Award. 

He was also awarded the Indian Association of Gastrointestinal Endosurgeons Best Researcher award in 2023. Dr Kaushik Bhattacharya has also served the Government of India as a specialist in surgery in the Border Security Force and was awarded the Director General Border Security Force Commendation Roll 3 times for serving the men in uniform guarding the border areas of the country.

As the International Surgical Ambassador, Dr. Bhattacharya has pledged to support Fellows, Members, trainees, and future Members in India. He aims to foster a robust exchange of surgical knowledge and expertise between India and the UK, ensuring that the Indian surgical community stays updated with the latest advancements. This role not only bridges the gap between the two nations’ medical practices but also enhances the global reputation of Indian surgeons.

Dr. Bhattacharya’s appointment has been met with widespread acclaim. The President of the Association of Surgeons of India, Dr. Probol Neogi, the President of the Indian Medical Association, Dr. RV Ashokan, and the President of the Association of the Colon Rectal Surgery, Dr. Pradip Sharma, have all expressed their joy and congratulations. Additionally, Dr. Ichchhit Jaiswal, the Registrar of Mata Gujri University, lauded this academic achievement, emphasizing its significance for the institution.

Being named the International Surgical Ambassador for RCSEd is a rare and prestigious recognition. Dr. Bhattacharya’s new role is not only a personal milestone but also a moment of pride for the Indian medical community. His dedication and expertise continue to inspire, and his work as ISA will undoubtedly contribute to the advancement of surgical practice both in India and internationally.

Powered by WPeMatico

No Systemic Breach in NEET 2024: SC

Pronouncing its detailed order on the pleas concerning the National Eligibility-and-Entrance Test Undergraduate (NEET-UG) examination, the Supreme Court has said that it did not cancel the UG medical entrance examination amid concerns of the paper leak because there was no systemic breach of its sanctity.

“…the various issues discussed until now do not lead to the conclusion that the integrity of the NEET was vitiated at a systemic level,” observed the Supreme Court bench comprising Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, and Justices JB Pardiwala and Manij Misra.

For more information, click on the link below:

No Systemic Breach in NEET 2024! says Supreme Court, Slams NTA for ‘Flip-flops’ in Exam

Powered by WPeMatico

Second year Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College student allegedly commits suicide

 In an unfortunate incident, a second-year MBBS student of Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College of Datta Meghe Institute of Higher Education & Research (DMIHER), Sawangi Meghe allegedly committed suicide by jumping from the fourth floor of the college building recently.

It is alleged that the 20-year-old student who was a gold medalist in her first-year medical course took the extreme step due to alleged academic and attendance pressure after the dean of the medical college allegedly denied her medical leave and detained her from appearing for the PCT2 exam due to lack of attendance. She had previously missed the PCT1 exam.

For more information, click on the link below:

Depression, Alleged Academic Pressure: 2nd-year MBBS Student of Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College jumps to death from institute building

Powered by WPeMatico

Dr Chakrapani M named as new Medical Superintendent of Kasturba Medical College Hospital Attavar

In a notable development, Dr Chakrapani M has been appointed as the new Medical Superintendent of Kasturba Medical College Hospital, Attavar.

Dr Chakrapani, a distinguished senior medicine specialist in Dakshina Kannada, brings extensive expertise and leadership to his new role. Known for his exceptional clinical skills, he has been a pivotal figure in the region’s medical community, earning widespread respect for his contributions to the field.

For more information, click on the link below:

Dr Chakrapani M takes charge as Medical Superintendent of Kasturba Medical College Hospital Attavar

Powered by WPeMatico

Gynaecologists Booked after 4 Women Suffer Kidney Failure Post C-Sections, 2 die

Ahmedabad: Accused of medical negligence, two gynaecologists attached with a Junagadh-based private hospital were booked late Tuesday on charges of culpable homicide not amounting to murder.

They were booked after four women, who underwent caesarean section operations by the doctors, suffered kidney failures that led to the death of two women last year.

Those two gynecologists at the private hospital along with the members of the hospital management were booked by Junagadh city B Division police station after a complaint was lodged by a man, based in Junagadh, whose wife suffered the issue.

Police have booked them under sections 304 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder), 308 (attempting culpable homicide) and 114 (abettor present when offence is committed) of the Indian Penal Code.

Also Read: UP: FIR against 2 gynecologists after patient, newborn death at alleged illegal maternity center

As per the latest media report by Indian Express, the complainant alleged that his wife was among the four women who gave birth through caesarean section at the hospital last May and contracted infection, leading to kidney failure. The complainant’s wife gave birth on May 30. Around the same time, the other deceased, who hailed from Zinzri village in Junagadh district also gave birth.

The Daily has reported that the FIR stated that after his wife’s death on September 12, 2023, the complainant filed a complaint at C Division police station in Junagadh. Following this, the police launched an inquiry after registering a case of accidental death on September 13.

Consequently, on September 29, the complainant, who is working as a casual labourer, along with the husband of three other women who suffered kidney failure, applied with the Junagadh Chief District Health Officer (CDHO) Dr. Manoj Sutariya and demanded action against the hospital.

Following this, the State Government set up a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate the matter and eventually in May 2024, the CDHO handed over a copy of the SIT report to the complainant.

“The report concluded that the incident (of kidney failure) had happened due to negligence of doctors and hospital management,” stated the FIR.

Commenting on the matter, Junagadh Superintendent of Police Harshad Mehta told The Indian Express that the families of the victims had approached the police earlier also and sought an FIR against the doctors and the hospital. 

“However, as per Supreme Court guidelines, police can’t register an FIR against doctors on the basis of a complaint filed by a patient’s family members alleging negligence during treatment. But now that an SIT of experts has probed the incident and submitted its findings, we have booked the doctors and the members of the hospital management,” he added.

Also Read: Mumbai: 2 Gynaecologists booked for allegedly leaving surgical mop inside patient while performing hysterectomy

Powered by WPeMatico

Submit CT data of Liraglutide pre-filled pen for type 2 DM: CDSCO Panel Tells Biocon Pharma

New Delhi: Citing that the approved indication for BIOLIDE synthetic Liraglutide 6mg/ml solution for injection in a pre-filled pen in UK-MHRA is for weight management, the Subject Expert Committee (SEC) functional under the Central Drug Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) has opined Biocon Pharma to submit more clinical trial data for the proposed indication for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus along with immunogenicity data or submit Phase-III clinical trial protocol to CDSCO for further review by the committee.

This came after Biocon Pharma presented their proposal for a grant of permission to manufacture and market synthetic Liraglutide 6mg/ml solution for injection in a pre-filled pen (18mg/3mL Pre-filled Pen) indicated for the treatment of type 2 Diabetes Mellitus along with Bioequivalence study report and justification for waiver of Phase-III clinical trial before the committee.

Liraglutide is a GLP-1 analog used in the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus, prevention of cardiovascular complications associated with diabetes, and obesity.

Liraglutide is an acylated synthetic glucagon-like peptide-1 analog. Liraglutide is an agonist of the glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor which is coupled to adenylate cyclase. The increase in cyclic AMP stimulates the glucose-dependent release of insulin, inhibits the glucose-dependent release of glucagon, and slows gastric emptying to increase control of blood sugar.

The firm has informed that they have got the approval for BIOLIDE synthetic Liraglutide 6mg/ml solution for injection in a pre-filled pen in the United Kingdom on April 12/2024 and submitted an approved copy of SMPC which was issued by MHRA (Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency) along with approval letter for the following indication:

Adults: as an adjunct to a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity for weight management in adult patients with an initial Body Mass Index (BMI) of:

• ≥30 kg/m² (obesity), or • ≥27 kg/m² to <30 kg/m² (overweight) in the presence of at least one weight-related comorbidity such as dysglycaemia (prediabetes or type 2 diabetes mellitus), hypertension, dyslipidemia or obstructive sleep apnoea.

Adolescents (≥12 years):

BIOLIDE injection can be used as an adjunct to healthy nutrition and increased physical activity for weight management in adolescent patients from the age of 12 years and above with:

• obesity (BMI corresponding to ≥30 kg/m2 for adults by international cut-off points)* and

• body weight above 60 kg.

At the recent SEC meeting for endocrinology and metabolism held on 11th July 2024, the expert panel reviewed the proposal for the manufacture and marketing of synthetic Liraglutide 6mg/ml solution for injection in a pre-filled pen (18mg/3mL Pre-filled Pen) indicated for the treatment of type 2 Diabetes Mellitus along with bioequivalence study report and justification for waiver of Phase-III clinical trial before the committee.

After detailed deliberation, the committee noted that the approved indication for BIOLIDE synthetic Liraglutide 6mg/ml solution for injection in a pre-filled pen in UK-MHRA is for weight management.

Furthermore, the expert panel mentioned, “The firm has proposed an indication for the treatment of type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.”

Therefore, in line with the above observation, the committee opined that the firm should submit more clinical trial data for proposed indication along with immunogenicity data or submit Phase-III clinical trial protocol to CDSCO for further review by the committee.

Also Read: CDCSO Declares 31 Formulations As Not of Standard Quality: Details

Powered by WPeMatico

Health Bulletin 03/ August/ 2024

Here are the top health stories for the day:

Supreme Court confirms no systemic breach in NEET 2024, criticizes NTA for inconsistencies

Pronouncing its detailed order on the pleas concerning the National Eligibility-and-Entrance Test Undergraduate (NEET-UG) examination, the Supreme Court has said that it did not cancel the UG medical entrance examination amid concerns of the paper leak because there was no systemic breach of its sanctity.

“…the various issues discussed until now do not lead to the conclusion that the integrity of the NEET was vitiated at a systemic level,” observed the Supreme Court bench comprising Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, and Justices JB Pardiwala and Manij Misra.

For more information, click on the link below:

No Systemic Breach in NEET 2024! says Supreme Court, Slams NTA for ‘Flip-flops’ in Exam

Tragedy at Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College: 2nd-year MBBS student dies amid depression and academic pressure concerns

In an unfortunate incident, a second-year MBBS student of Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College of Datta Meghe Institute of Higher Education & Research (DMIHER), Sawangi Meghe allegedly committed suicide by jumping from the fourth floor of the college building recently.

It is alleged that the 20-year-old student who was a gold medalist in her first-year medical course took the extreme step due to alleged academic and attendance pressure after the dean of the medical college allegedly denied her medical leave and detained her from appearing for the PCT2 exam due to lack of attendance. She had previously missed the PCT1 exam.

For more information, click on the link below:

Depression, Alleged Academic Pressure: 2nd-year MBBS Student of Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College jumps to death from institute building


Dr Chakrapani M appointed new Medical Superintendent of Kasturba Medical College Hospital Attavar

In a notable development, Dr Chakrapani M has been appointed as the new Medical Superintendent of Kasturba Medical College Hospital, Attavar.

Dr Chakrapani, a distinguished senior medicine specialist in Dakshina Kannada, brings extensive expertise and leadership to his new role. Known for his exceptional clinical skills, he has been a pivotal figure in the region’s medical community, earning widespread respect for his contributions to the field.

For more information, click on the link below:

Dr Chakrapani M takes charge as Medical Superintendent of Kasturba Medical College Hospital Attavar


Health Minister Nadda reveals PG seats sold for up to Rs 8-13 crore before NEET

Health Minister J.P. Nadda defended the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) on Friday amid concerns about paper leaks, stating that before NEET, medical education was an open business, with PG seats being sold for Rs 8 crore to 13 crore. 

Powered by WPeMatico