docTLDR

The Union Health Ministry has appointed 24 part-time members to the National Medical Commission and its boards after a six-month vacancy. However, full-time posts, including three board presidents, remain unfilled for nine months, potentially impacting medical college inspections and seat approvals. Doctors should monitor for regulatory delays.

India's NPPA has fixed prices for 71 essential drug formulations, including key anti-diabetic combinations and the cancer drug trastuzumab. The move aims to make critical treatments more affordable, with anti-diabetic tablets now priced between Rs 14–31 and trastuzumab at Rs 11,966 per vial. Doctors should expect increased patient access and adherence for these therapies.

Leading oncologists and nephrologists are calling for a national pivot to preventive healthcare, emphasizing early screening, lifestyle change, and community engagement. Doctors are urged to prioritize prevention in practice, as it reduces future disease burden and is cost-effective for both patients and the system.

India now produces over 100,000 MBBS graduates annually, but workforce distribution remains skewed and payment models outdated. Experts call for outcome-based metrics, digital health adoption, and innovative financing to ensure equitable care. Doctors should advocate for and adapt to these systemic shifts.

A Hyderabad-based doctor and his family were physically assaulted at an Aadhaar enrollment centre in Ameerpet after a dispute reportedly arose over the queue system. The incident, which took place in front of other applicants, led to injuries and has sparked concerns about the safety of medical professionals in public spaces. Police have registered a case and are investigating the matter.

More than 9,000 homoeopathic doctors in Maharashtra, all qualified under the Certificate Course in Modern Pharmacology (CCMP), will begin a hunger strike at Azad Maidan on July 16 to protest the state government's sudden suspension of their registrations. The suspension follows concerns from the Indian Medical Association over patient safety and cross-pathy. The government has formed a committee to review the issue, but protesting doctors demand immediate reinstatement of registrations and gr...

The Andhra Pradesh High Court has directed the state medical council to verify the authenticity of documents submitted by foreign medical graduates (FMGs) and, if they meet the National Medical Commission's June 2024 criteria, issue permanent registration certificates within one month. This order follows prolonged delays and protests by FMGs who completed their studies abroad, cleared the FMGE, and finished internships, but were denied registration due to disputes over internship duration and...

Three senior citizens—aged 68, 67, and 60, including two practicing lawyers—have cleared NEET 2025 and applied for MBBS seats in Tamil Nadu under the government school quota. Their applications have sparked debate among state officials about age, eligibility, and the intent of reservation policies, following the National Medical Commission's 2022 removal of the upper age limit for NEET. This year, at least 25 candidates above age 35 have applied for undergraduate medical and dental seats in t...

The National Medical Commission (NMC) has blacklisted four assessors and cancelled MBBS and PG seat approvals at six medical colleges after a CBI probe exposed a major bribery scam. The investigation revealed that ministry officials and NMC assessors leaked confidential inspection data and accepted bribes to grant approvals to substandard colleges. The NMC has urged strict adherence to regulations and reaffirmed its zero-tolerance policy on corruption.

Kerala government medical college teachers, represented by KGMCTA, have threatened to restrict patient care unless the state addresses unresolved pay arrears, delayed transfers, and severe faculty shortages. The association highlighted unpaid pay revision arrears from 2016–2020, slashed entry-level salaries, and the negative impact of transferring staff to new colleges without creating new posts. They demand no new medical colleges be opened without adequate staffing, warning that patient car...

A randomized cross-over trial found that a low-fat vegan diet significantly reduced dietary acid load compared to a Mediterranean diet in overweight adults. This reduction was linked to notable weight loss and may lower diabetes risk by decreasing inflammation and improving insulin sensitivity. The effect was independent of calorie intake, highlighting the alkalizing benefits of plant-based foods.

A polypill containing all four pillars of guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT) for heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) is proposed to improve treatment rates. This strategy could simplify management and enhance outcomes for Indian patients with HFrEF, where GDMT uptake remains suboptimal.

Finerenone is now FDA-approved to reduce cardiovascular death and heart failure events in patients with HF and LVEF ≥40%. This expands treatment options for a large, high-risk group in India, where heart failure prevalence is rising. The approval is based on the FINEARTS-HF trial, supporting its use in comprehensive cardiac care.

EMA has lifted the temporary restriction on Valneva’s IXCHIQ chikungunya vaccine for those aged 65+, following a safety review. The vaccine remains contraindicated for immunocompromised patients but is now recommended for all ages at significant risk. This update is crucial for Indian clinicians managing elderly patients in outbreak-prone regions.

Eli Lilly and the Association of Physicians of India (API) have launched 'Obesity Gurukul', a CME program targeting over 20,000 healthcare professionals in 10+ cities. The initiative blends in-person and online modules to enhance clinical skills in obesity management, addressing India's rising obesity burden and equipping doctors with practical, evidence-based strategies.