docTLDR

Despite centuries of rule and influence, neither Hindutva nor Muslim elites developed Ayurveda or Unani into advanced surgical medical centres like CMC Vellore. Both traditions promoted superstition over scientific progress, with Unani focusing on oral medicine and lacking surgical science. As a result, elites from both communities prefer allopathic centres for critical care, highlighting a persistent gap between religion and scientific advancement in Indian healthcare.

The National Board of Examinations (NBE) will announce NEET PG 2025 results by September 3, 2025. Over 2.4 lakh candidates appeared for the exam held on August 3. Expected qualifying percentiles are 50th (General/EWS), 45th (UR-PwD), and 40th (SC/ST/OBC), with estimated cutoffs ranging from 290–310 for General/EWS and 270–290 for SC/ST/OBC. Results and scorecards will be available on nbe.edu.in.

Vitamin D toxicity, though rare, is increasingly reported due to supplement overuse, leading to hypercalcemia and symptoms like vomiting, confusion, dehydration, and kidney injury. Diagnosis relies on elevated serum calcium and vitamin D levels. Management requires immediate cessation of vitamin D, IV fluids, and sometimes medications such as corticosteroids or bisphosphonates. Clinicians should counsel patients on safe dosing and monitor those on high-dose regimens, as toxicity can persist f...

Dr Ajay Aggarwal, a Houston-based pain medicine specialist of Indian origin, has agreed to pay over $2 million to settle US Justice Department allegations that he fraudulently billed Medicare and federal programs for complex surgical implants never performed between 2021 and 2023. Instead, patients received simple devices at his clinic, not requiring surgery. Whistleblower reports also allege unnecessary prescriptions and auto-filled medications without patient evaluation.

Surgeons at Coimbatore Medical College Hospital performed a rare limb salvage surgery on a 57-year-old man with metastatic squamous cell carcinoma affecting his shoulder bone. Instead of amputation, a 15 cm custom-made prosthesis was implanted, preserving the patient's elbow and limb. This multidisciplinary procedure, the first of its kind at CMCH, was conducted under the Chief Minister's Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme, making advanced care accessible at no cost to the patient. Recover...

India's largest chemist association, AIOCD, has urged the government to immediately ban the online sale and 10-minute delivery of Schedule H/H1/X prescription drugs by platforms like Zepto and Blinkit. The group warns that unchecked online supply, lack of genuine prescription verification, and misuse of telemedicine guidelines have led to a 55% surge in drug abuse, especially among youth. Offline chemists face strict regulation, while online platforms remain largely unregulated, raising serio...

A UC Berkeley study demonstrates that oxytocin, long known as the 'love hormone,' is also vital for forming selective friendships. Prairie voles lacking oxytocin receptors took significantly longer to develop peer bonds and showed reduced social selectivity, highlighting oxytocin’s key role in both fostering closeness and maintaining boundaries with strangers. These findings may inform future research on social dysfunction in humans.

A large Mendelian randomization study found a bidirectional, potentially causal relationship between specific gut bacteria and insomnia. Fourteen bacterial groups were linked to higher insomnia risk, while eight were linked to lower risk. Insomnia itself altered the abundance of several bacterial groups, notably reducing some by up to 79% and increasing others over fourfold. The Odoribacter class was particularly associated with insomnia risk. The findings suggest future microbiome-based ther...

GLP-1 microdosing is gaining popularity as a potential solution to high costs and side effects of standard doses for weight loss. Experts note microdosing may help maintain weight after initial loss or suit those with modest weight goals, but is less effective for significant obesity or severe diabetes. While early data suggest some benefit, most patients require higher doses for substantial results, and robust clinical evidence is lacking.

Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences (RGUHS) will establish a career guidance cell within three months to support its 2.4 lakh students across 1,500 colleges. The cell will offer information on national and international courses, connect students with industry bodies, and provide skill-building workshops, including interview preparation and language training. The initiative aims to enhance employability and informed career choices for medical, dental, nursing, pharmacy, and allied healt...

The National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC) has exonerated a Delhi hospital and its cardiologist in a Rs 5.5 crore medical negligence case, citing delayed consent by the patient's family, suppression of prior treatment history, and prior exoneration by the Medical Council of India. The Commission found no deficiency in service or negligence, emphasizing the importance of timely consent and transparent medical history in medico-legal disputes.

Maahi Rude, a 20-year-old with 90% locomotor disability due to spina bifida, has petitioned the Bombay High Court to challenge NEET's 70% disability cap for MBBS aspirants. Her plea seeks not only permission to appear for NEET but also asks the court to quash guidelines that bar those with over 80% disability from medical courses, arguing her independence and fitness for the profession.

Harmeet K. Dhillon's critique of the US medical education system highlights severe physician shortages driven by capped residency slots and $200,000 median student debt. She argues that foreign-trained doctors and H-1B visas are vital for underserved areas, while experts warn that expanding medical school admissions alone won't solve shortages without parallel residency growth. Policy analysts urge coordinated reforms in funding, training, and incentives to stabilize the workforce.

An Express Pharma op-ed urges a national, public database of approved drugs, therapeutic equivalence and patent/exclusivity—akin to the US FDA Orange Book. For clinicians, a Saffron Book could standardize brand–generic interchangeability, reduce substitution errors, and clarify TE codes, enabling safer switches in pharmacies and hospitals while informing formulary, procurement and stewardship decisions.

Pfizer has introduced its 20‑valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV20) for adults in India, covering 20 clinically relevant serotypes. It is a single‑dose product, which may obviate the need for a second dose. For Indian clinicians, this enables streamlined adult immunization—especially for patients ≥50 years and those with asthma, COPD, CKD, or diabetes—potentially reducing severe pneumococcal disease, hospitalizations, and mortality.