docTLDR

Dr Vidyulatha, a Visakhapatnam-based doctor, was arrested by Gopalapuram police at Hyderabad's RGI Airport for alleged involvement in a trafficking-cum-illegal surrogacy racket. She was named as an accused in fresh FIRs after a complainant alleged she and others at Srushti Fertility Clinic misrepresented the biological origin of a surrogate child. Charges include violations under the BNS and Surrogacy (Regulation) Act, 2021.

The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission has ordered Fortis Hospital Mohali and a gastroenterologist to pay Rs 50 lakh compensation after a patient's handwritten dying declaration alleged mishandling of an abdominal tap, which led to fatal complications. The commission found both medical negligence and deficiency in service, citing the note as crucial evidence.

Emerging research indicates that common herpes viruses, particularly HSV-1 and HSV-2, may significantly increase the risk of dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease. This has shifted scientific consensus and prompted calls for clinical trials to test if antiviral drugs like acyclovir could reduce cognitive decline in HSV-infected individuals, potentially transforming dementia prevention strategies.

The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) has set new retail price ceilings for 37 essential drug formulations, including widely used medicines such as paracetamol, atorvastatin, amoxycillin, and key anti-diabetic and cardiovascular combinations. The move, notified under the Drugs (Prices Control) Order, 2013, aims to enhance affordability and transparency, with manufacturers and retailers required to update and display revised prices. Non-compliance will attract penalties under th...

A randomized controlled trial in adults with HIV-associated lipohypertrophy found that once-weekly semaglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist, significantly slowed biological aging as measured by DNA methylation–based epigenetic clocks. These preliminary results suggest semaglutide may modulate aging biomarkers and improve long-term outcomes, but further peer-reviewed studies are needed to confirm clinical benefits and generalizability beyond this population.

A landmark study published in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology has identified a novel, non-autoimmune subtype of diabetes in children and young adults across sub-Saharan Africa, with similar cases in Black Americans. Unlike classic type 1 diabetes, 65% of African youth lacked islet autoantibodies and genetic risk markers, suggesting misdiagnosis and suboptimal treatment. This finding calls for urgent revision of diagnostic and management strategies for diabetes in these populations.

The Union Health Minister informed Parliament that 40.16% of faculty posts at AIIMS, 20% at JIPMER, and 17.8% at PGIMER remain vacant. Across 23 AIIMS, 2,561 out of 6,376 faculty positions are unfilled, with 33% non-faculty posts also vacant. JIPMER and PGIMER face similar shortages, raising concerns about staffing and healthcare delivery at India's premier medical institutes.

The Indian Medical Association strongly opposes punitive action against Dr Haris Chirackal, who exposed equipment shortages at a Kerala medical college. IMA warns such retaliation undermines morale and urges immediate reforms and an expert committee to address systemic failures in government medical colleges.

The NMC is under fire for allegedly rejecting patient appeals despite regulations allowing complaints against doctors. Critics cite lack of transparency, vacant board positions, and limited public access to meeting minutes. The controversy raises concerns about accountability and patient rights in medical regulation.

A comprehensive analysis including India shows significant underuse and disparities in access to modern glucose-lowering therapies. The study calls for urgent policy and clinical action to improve medication availability and adherence, especially in rural and underserved populations.

Drug control officers nationwide have strongly objected to Karnataka’s proposal to privatize drug inspection services. The move raises concerns about quality assurance and regulatory oversight, potentially impacting drug safety and public health standards in clinical practice.

A new study finds that exercise alone significantly reduces pain and improves function in patients with hip osteoarthritis, even without a weight-loss diet. The randomized trial showed no added benefit from combining exercise with a calorie-restricted diet, challenging current guidelines that recommend weight loss for all overweight OA patients. These findings may influence future OA management strategies.

The SUMMIT trial reveals that baseline BMI and fat distribution significantly influence tirzepatide's effectiveness in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) and obesity. Patients with higher BMI and greater central fat distribution experienced more pronounced improvements in heart failure outcomes, functional capacity, and quality of life, highlighting the importance of personalized therapy in HFpEF management.

The Karnataka Health and Family Welfare Department has issued show-cause notices to 231 pharmacies after special inspections revealed widespread sale of prescription drugs, including sleeping tablets, without valid prescriptions. Action notices were also served to 15 pharmacies. The crackdown aims to curb illegal drug sales and ensure regulatory compliance across Bengaluru, highlighting ongoing concerns about drug misuse and public health safety.

A novel approach using obinutuzumab, a humanized anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody, has demonstrated significant efficacy in preventing progression of lupus nephritis. Phase III REGENCY trial data revealed that nearly half of patients receiving obinutuzumab plus standard therapy achieved complete renal response, compared to standard therapy alone. This marks the first time a CD20-directed therapy has shown such benefit in a randomized phase III lupus nephritis trial, potentially transforming mana...