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Madhya Pradesh has banned Coldrif cough syrup after 11 children died from acute renal failure linked to diethylene glycol contamination. The state has ordered seizure of all Coldrif stocks and extended the ban to other products by the same manufacturer. The CDSCO has launched risk-based inspections of cough syrup makers in six states. Doctors are urged to be vigilant about pediatric prescriptions and report adverse events promptly.

The Himachal Pradesh High Court has ruled that a postgraduate diploma is not equivalent to a postgraduate degree for promotion to Assistant Professor under the Himachal Pradesh Medical Education Services Rules, 1999. The court clarified that only teaching experience gained after obtaining a postgraduate degree (MD/MS or equivalent) is valid for promotion eligibility, and experience after a diploma does not count. This decision upholds strict statutory requirements for academic promotions in m...

Five individuals have been booked for circulating a forged National Health Mission (NHM) selection list in Kashmir, causing confusion among healthcare job aspirants. Doctors and administrators are urged to verify official recruitment communications to prevent fraud and misinformation.

A global study projects India will bear the highest long-term impact of chikungunya, with 5.1 million people at risk each year. Clinicians are advised to maintain high suspicion for chikungunya in febrile patients, especially during outbreaks, and to reinforce vector control and patient education to curb transmission.

The government has revised rates for nearly 2,000 medical procedures under CGHS, effective October 13, 2025. This long-awaited update aims to ensure hospitals provide cashless treatment and receive timely payments, reducing out-of-pocket expenses and reimbursement delays for central government employees and pensioners.

Mumbai's BMC has launched the Integrated Patients Healthcare Scheme Assistance System (IPHSA), enabling cashless hospitalization for patients. This move streamlines admission, billing, and discharge, reducing financial stress and administrative delays for both doctors and patients in municipal hospitals.

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has ordered doctors to improve their handwriting, citing it as a fundamental right to life. The court directed that handwriting lessons be included in medical education and digital prescriptions be implemented within two years. Poor handwriting can lead to serious medical errors.

Gabapentin prescriptions have sharply increased in India and globally, raising concerns among experts about its misuse and under-recognized risks. While widely used for neuropathic pain and off-label indications, gabapentin can cause serious side effects such as sedation, dizziness, suicidal ideation, and withdrawal symptoms. Physicians are urged to monitor patients closely, especially those with renal impairment or on polypharmacy, and to educate about potential dependence and abrupt discont...

At least 11 children have died in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan after consuming Coldrif cough syrup, found to contain 48.6% diethylene glycol—a toxic industrial solvent causing acute kidney failure. The syrup, manufactured by Sresan Pharmaceuticals in Tamil Nadu, has been banned in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala. The Centre has issued an advisory against cough and cold medications for children under two, and the CDSCO has initiated nationwide inspections of drug manufacturin...

New clinical guidance recommends integrating GLP-1 receptor agonists into multidisciplinary care for patients with obesity, type 2 diabetes, and elevated cardiovascular risk. These agents, including semaglutide and tirzepatide, are shown to reduce major adverse cardiovascular events and support sustained weight loss. Team-based approaches are emphasized to personalize therapy, address comorbidities, and optimize patient outcomes.

The Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) has introduced the BSE Hospitals Index, a new sectoral index designed to track the performance of hospital stocks within India's healthcare industry. Comprising 15 hospital stocks from the BSE 1000 and weighted by free-float market capitalization, the index will be reconstituted semi-annually. Top constituents include Fortis Healthcare, Max Healthcare, and Apollo Hospitals. The index aims to facilitate passive investment strategies, benchmarking, and provide in...

Recent research highlights that GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) not only improve glycemic control and cardiovascular outcomes in type 2 diabetes, but also offer notable kidney protection. Clinical trials and meta-analyses show GLP-1RAs reduce albuminuria and slow eGFR decline, with benefits most pronounced in patients with preexisting kidney disease. These effects are attributed to mechanisms such as natriuresis, anti-inflammatory action, and oxidative stress reduction, independent of gluc...

A University of Louisville study finds rectal bleeding is the strongest predictor of colorectal cancer in adults under 50, raising diagnosis odds by 8.5 times. Notably, 70% of young patients had no family history, and 88% underwent colonoscopy due to symptoms rather than routine screening. The findings urge clinicians to consider colonoscopy for symptomatic young adults, regardless of family history.

India's CDSCO has begun risk-based inspections at 19 drug manufacturing units, including cough syrups and antibiotics, following child deaths linked to contaminated products. Doctors should expect increased scrutiny on drug quality and potential recalls, impacting prescribing and patient safety protocols.

A major ICMR-led study across seven Indian states is piloting integrated screening and management for mental health and substance use disorders within NCD clinics. With India’s mental health treatment gap at 70–92%, the initiative aims to standardize tools, digital tracking, and referral pathways for frontline providers. Doctors should prepare for new protocols, digital platforms, and expanded roles in mental health care.