docTLDR

US President Trump’s 100% tariff on imported branded and patented drugs, effective October 1, 2025, is not expected to impact India’s generic exports, which dominate the US market. However, any future expansion of tariff scope to complex generics or biosimilars could pose risks. Doctors should monitor for potential disruptions in drug availability or pricing.

Delhi hospitals report a significant rise in H3N2 influenza cases, with nearly 100 new cases in September alone. Doctors note more severe symptoms than previous years, especially in the elderly and those with lung or metabolic comorbidities. While mortality remains low, clinicians are urged to monitor for secondary infections and counsel high-risk patients on preventive measures.

Tata AIG, Star Health, Niva Bupa, and CARE Health have suspended cashless claim settlements at Max Hospitals, impacting patients across India. Doctors should advise patients to prepare for upfront payments and reimbursement claims. The dispute centers on tariff negotiations, with Max warning that further rate cuts could compromise care quality.

Surgeons in Hapur, Uttar Pradesh, removed 29 steel spoons, 19 toothbrushes, and 2 pens from a 40-year-old man's stomach after he experienced severe abdominal pain. The patient, admitted to a de-addiction centre, ingested these objects as an act of self-harm due to psychological distress and alleged mistreatment. Doctors highlight this as a rare case of impulse-control disorder, underscoring the urgent need for better mental health care and monitoring in rehabilitation facilities.

The National Medical Commission (NMC) has released the updated MBBS seat matrix for 2025–26, raising total seats to 124,825 across 809 colleges nationwide. This includes 6,850 new seats and reflects both new approvals and withdrawals due to regulatory issues. Five colleges have been allotted zero seats for non-compliance or legal reasons. The revised matrix will guide NEET-UG 2025–26 counselling.

Researchers have identified the protein PI3K-C2Y as a potential tumour suppressor in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Experiments in mice and cell models showed that tumours lacking PI3K-C2Y grew faster, suggesting that targeting this protein could inhibit tumour progression. This discovery opens new avenues for developing targeted therapies against pancreatic cancer, which remains highly lethal with poor survival rates.

A newly developed loop mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay offers rapid, reliable detection of infectious agents, outperforming conventional PCR in speed. This innovation could transform point-of-care diagnostics in Indian clinical settings, enabling earlier intervention and improved patient outcomes.

A new AI-powered tool for chest X-ray interpretation offers explainable, accurate early detection of lung diseases, including COVID-19. This technology promises to enhance diagnostic efficiency and reliability in Indian hospitals, especially in resource-limited settings.

Dr. Pugazhenthan Thangaraju of AIIMS Raipur is recognized among the world’s top 2% of scientists for his work in digital health tools, pharmacovigilance, and device innovation. His research directly impacts patient safety, rational drug use, and the development of new therapeutic and diagnostic solutions in India.

Preliminary results from the Suite Ride study, involving Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla, confirm that continuous glucose monitors and insulin pens work reliably in space. This paves the way for new remote diabetes management models, potentially transforming care for India’s 77 million diabetics, especially in remote or underserved regions.

The Supreme Court has postponed the hearing on pleas demanding greater transparency in NEET PG 2025, directing the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) to submit a comprehensive response within two weeks. Petitioners challenge NBEMS's corrective notice on answer key disclosure, arguing the current system is opaque and prevents meaningful verification. The case outcome could impact exam reforms and counselling timelines for thousands of medical aspirants.

Experts are divided on prescribing anti-obesity drugs to children, citing concerns about long-term safety, psychological impact, and the need for comprehensive lifestyle interventions. While some advocate for medication in severe cases, others warn of potential side effects and insufficient data on pediatric outcomes. The debate highlights the urgent need for clear guidelines and further research, especially as childhood obesity rates rise globally.

A Liverpool John Moores University study found adults drinking less than 1.5 liters of water daily had a 50% higher cortisol spike during stress tests than those meeting recommended intake. Poor hydration, indicated by darker urine, was associated with exaggerated stress hormone responses, potentially increasing risks for heart disease, diabetes, and depression. Researchers suggest monitoring urine color as a practical hydration check and highlight the need for further studies on hydration’s ...

The WHO will launch its Traditional Medicine Global Library in December 2025 at the Global Summit in New Delhi. This resource will provide clinicians with evidence-based data on traditional therapies, supporting safer integration of Ayurveda, Siddha, and other systems into mainstream practice.

A Kerala University study has identified a significant increase in S100B protein expression in astrocytes of the olfactory lobe in a mouse model of schizophrenia. The research, published in the Journal of Biomedical and Molecular Toxicology, suggests that S100B build-up may be a key factor in schizophrenia pathology and could serve as a future diagnostic marker or therapeutic target. The findings highlight the potential for new, non-invasive diagnostic approaches if technology advances.