docTLDR

The National Medical Commission (NMC) will soon prohibit the promotion and marketing of medical devices, pharmaceutical products, and companies during live surgical broadcasts. This move aims to address ambiguities in current guidelines, prevent commercial exploitation, and prioritize patient safety. The revised rules follow Supreme Court scrutiny and stakeholder feedback, emphasizing ethical standards and clear definitions for live surgery demonstrations.

As patents for blockbuster GLP-1 drugs like semaglutide expire in countries including India from 2026, a wave of generics and biosimilars is expected to boost access and affordability. However, experts warn that safety risks—such as dosing errors, unapproved ingredients, and counterfeit products—may rise, especially in markets with less regulatory oversight. The balance between wider access and patient safety will be a critical issue for clinicians and policymakers.

With Karnataka introducing paid menstrual leave, leading gynaecologists argue that staying active during periods is safe and helps manage symptoms. Doctors are advised to counsel patients on menstrual health, debunk myths, and address workplace stigma, as policy changes may influence patient queries and expectations.

Following a student assault, the Calcutta High Court has mandated strict controls on entry to Paschim Bardhaman Medical College Hospital. Doctors and staff should expect increased security checks and restricted campus access, aimed at safeguarding patients and maintaining uninterrupted academic and clinical activities.

India faces a surging non-communicable disease (NCD) burden, with over 101 million diabetics and 136 million pre-diabetics. Experts at the World Health Summit urge integrated interventions—yoga, digital health apps, and improved medicine access—to manage diabetes, hypertension, and COPD. Doctors are advised to prioritize lifestyle counseling, ABC targets, and early digital interventions for at-risk patients.

A new deep learning framework significantly improves the accuracy of brain tumor classification in Indian patient datasets, enabling faster and more reliable diagnosis. This technology promises to streamline radiology workflows and reduce diagnostic errors, especially in resource-constrained settings.

AI is enhancing IVF success rates in India by optimizing embryo selection and lab processes, according to reproductive medicine expert Roy Homburg. However, he cautions that patient-doctor trust and personal interaction remain irreplaceable for best outcomes, urging Indian clinicians to balance technology with empathy.

Jhansi's new 200-bed Smart City Hospital, developed under a PPP model, offers advanced diagnostics, telemedicine, and subsidized rates for the economically weaker sections. Integrated with Ayushman Bharat and soon ESIC, it expands access to quality care and sets a model for tech-enabled, inclusive healthcare.

Scientists have developed an LED light-based cancer therapy using tin-based nanoflakes that selectively destroy tumor cells while sparing healthy tissue. This non-invasive approach, showing high efficacy in lab studies, could offer Indian oncologists a safer alternative to chemotherapy, with potential for clinical and home use.

A new WHO report highlights that neurological disorders now affect over 3 billion people globally, with low- and middle-income countries like India facing severe shortages in neurologists and fragmented care. Only 32% of countries have a national policy, and most essential services remain inaccessible in rural areas. WHO urges immediate policy prioritization and investment to address the rising burden.

A head-to-head comparison in India finds interferon gamma release assays (IGRA) offer superior sensitivity and specificity over the tuberculin skin test for diagnosing latent and active TB. This supports a shift towards IGRA-based protocols in high-burden regions, improving diagnostic accuracy and patient management.

The Supreme Court of India dismissed a petition by a doctor who argued that access to WhatsApp is a fundamental right after her account was blocked. The court ruled that using private platforms like WhatsApp is not constitutionally protected, as these services operate under private contracts and terms of service. The bench suggested exploring alternative messaging apps and clarified that such grievances should be addressed through regulatory or civil channels, not constitutional claims.

A new WHO report analyzing over 23 million infections across 104 countries finds that 17.2% of lab-confirmed bacterial infections are now antibiotic-resistant, with the highest rates in South-East Asia. Resistance is rising fastest in Gram-negative bacteria, and low- and middle-income countries face the greatest burden due to weak diagnostics and overuse of 'Watch' antibiotics. The report urges urgent action to strengthen surveillance and expand access to essential antibiotics.

A new study highlights that patients with alopecia areata who do not respond to one JAK inhibitor may still benefit from switching to a different agent in the same class. The research found that a significant proportion of non-responders to initial JAK inhibitor therapy achieved meaningful hair regrowth after switching, suggesting that lack of efficacy with one JAK inhibitor does not preclude success with another. This finding could impact clinical decision-making and expand treatment options...

A large real-world study confirms that the two-dose recombinant zoster vaccine (RZV) maintains high effectiveness against shingles, even in adults previously vaccinated with the live zoster vaccine (ZVL). Effectiveness remained above 84% in those with prior ZVL, supporting current recommendations to use RZV regardless of previous live vaccine history. This finding reinforces the importance of RZV for robust shingles prevention in older adults.