WHO issues warning against falsified weight loss and obesity drugs

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WHO issues warning against falsified weight loss and obesity drugs

The warning issued earlier this week relates to three batches of medicines of the class of semaglutides

The World Health Organisation has issued a warning against falsified weight loss and obesity drugs. The warning pertains to semaglutides, the type of medicines that are used for treatment of type 2 diabetes and obesity in some countries.

While the warning is about three specific batches that have been detected in

Brazil in October 2023, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland in October 2023, and the United States of America in December 2023, Global Surveillance and Monitoring System (GSMS) has been observing increased reports on falsified semaglutide products in all geographical regions since 2022.

Semaglutides are prescribed in people with type 2 diabetes. They also lower the risk of cardiovascular events. But the potential of the drug as a weight loss drug has caused much excitement in the medicine market ever since it became available.

“WHO advises healthcare professionals, regulatory authorities and the public be aware of these falsified batches of medicines,” said Dr Yukiko Nakatani, WHO Assistant Director-General for Access to Medicines and Health Products. “We call on stakeholders to stop any usage of suspicious medicines and report to relevant authorities”.

In a detailed statement the global body said that it has been observing increased demand for these medicines as well as reports on falsification.

“These falsified products could have harmful effects to people’s health; if the products don’t have the necessary raw components, falsified medicines can lead to health complications resulting from unmanaged blood glucose levels or weight. In other cases, another undeclared active ingredient may be contained in the injection device, e.g. insulin, leading to an unpredictable range of health risks or complications,” says the statement.

As India reels under heat wave, death toll is a mystery; health ministry says it is 143

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As India reels under heat wave, death toll is a mystery; health ministry says it is 143

Different sources come to different numbers, total of numbers reported by individual states come to 448

 

With almost the entire country reeling under a heat wave and monsoon delayed or paused or sluggish in many parts of India, the actual toll of unprecedented high temperatures over unprecedented periods of time remains a mystery.

The ministry of health and family welfare government of India put the number at 143. But a total of the numbers reported by individual states comes to a far higher 448. The Times of India estimated that the count stands at 209. Sources in the Delhi government say that in the capital alone which has seen the longest period ever of 45 plus temperatures (the “feel-like” temperature which takes into account humidity stood at 50 degrees on a few days) alone has seen 60 deaths while also reeling under a severe water crisis. Delhi minister Atishi is sitting on a fast demanding that Delhi’s full quota of water be released by neighbouring states.

Meanwhile health minister J P Nadda has already held one review meeting on heat deaths and the ministry of health has issued detailed guidelines to states on various aspects including timely dissemination of alerts issued by the meteorological department, health sector preparedness and event planning considerations. 

On health sector preparedness the guidelines ask doctors to: “Consider heat-related illnesses in health surveillance, medical management and response planning, have a general understanding of possible vulnerable population based on event type e.g. in mass sporting events exertional heatstroke may be observed, in pilgrimage related mass gathering classic heatstroke may be common, prevent heat related illness (HRIs) through provision of ORS packs, essential medicines, IV fluids, icepacks, and equipments to support management of volume depletion and electrolyte imbalance etc”

It also calls upon healthcare providers to prioritize rapid assessment and rapid cooling of severe heat-related illnesses, designate safe, accessible area for rapid whole-body cooling of heat exhaustion and heatstroke patients and identify suitable rapid cooling method based on access to water, shade, venue topography and access, procure equipments (rectal thermometer, ice boxes, ice cubes, cold water, tarp, ice coolers, fans, towels/sheets) and set-up cooling area accordingly

 

Heat-related illnesses top concern as ministry of health unveils Haj health plan

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Heat-related illnesses top concern as ministry of health unveils Haj health plan

More than 1000 people are said to have died so far during Haj 2024. 356 doctors and paramedics deputed for medical care of Haj pilgrims

With over a 1000 people already dead at this year’s Haj because of heat-related illnesses, the ministry of health has put in place an elaborate healthcare mechanism for the pilgrims.

Heat is the top concern as per the document unveiled by health secretary Apurva Chandra. A total of  356 doctors and paramedics have been deputed for medical care of Haj pilgrims, about 2 lakh OPDs conducted and  around 1,75,025 pilgrims visited this year.

According to the document  titled, “Medical Care Arrangements for Haj Pilgrimage”, temperatures in the 49-50 degree Celsius range pose grave danger to the health of pilgrims. “Heat-Related Illnesses

Heat exhaustion and heatstroke are prevalent health concerns during Haj, exacerbated by the scorching temperatures and physically demanding rituals. Pilgrims, often inadequately acclimatized, engage in strenuous activities in exposed areas with limited shade, leading to heat-related illnesses such as heatstroke and dehydration,” it says.

Haj represents the largest and most enduring annual mass gathering event globally. The responsibility for medical care arrangements lies with the Emergency Medical Relief Division and the International Health Division of the Directorate General of Health Services under Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

On the occasion, Chandra said: “This document lays the roadmap of the health services and how those services can be availed of by the pilgrims.” Noting that this is only the second year since the healthcare responsibilities have been assigned to the Union Health Ministry, he stated that “the experience has provided significant learnings for improving the healthcare services. Around 1,75,025 pilgrims undertook the Haj pilgrimage this year from India, of which approximately 40,000 are elderly people were above the age of 60. In view of the harsh weather conditions this year, the health challenges have necessitated round the clock services for the pilgrims. Last year, oral health and dental care services have been added learning from the past experience”

HIV drugs Ritonavir, Lopinavir being tried in patients of rare brain tumour

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HIV drugs Ritonavir, Lopinavir being tried in patients of rare brain tumour

The RETREAT trial being conducted by the University of Plymouth builds on earlier research the institute had done

Drugs used in AIDS patients have for the first time being tried in brain tumour patients. The results could .be the final proof of concept for an earlier research in the matter conducted by the University of Plymouth.

Scientists at the Brain Tumour Research Centre of Excellence at the University of Plymouth anti-retroviral medications, Ritonavir and Lopinavir to treat neurofibromatosis 2 which is a genetic condition that causes tumours to develop in the coverings of the brain (meninges). The two medications had also been tried, in the early days of the COVID19 pandemic, on the SARS-COV2 virus without much success.

The RETREAT clinical trial, led by Professor Oliver Hanemann, is expanding on research by Dr Sylwia Ammoun and Professor Hanemann which showed the repurposed drugs reduced tumour growth and survival in the tumours. Talking about the yearlong trial, Professor Oliver Hanemann, Director of the Brain Tumour Research Centre of Excellence at the University of Plymouth, said: “This could the first step towards a systemic treatment for tumours related to NF2, both for patients who have inherited NF2 and developed multiple tumours, as well as patients who have a one-off NF2 mutation and have developed a tumour as a result. If results are positive and the research develops into a larger clinical trial, it would be the most significant change for patients with this condition, for whom there is no effective treatment.”

Neurofibromatosis 2 is a rare condition affecting one in 50,000 people and usually affects young adults. Dr Karen Noble, Director of Research, Policy and Innovation at Brain Tumour Research, said: “Brain Tumour Research is committed to funding research that will provide better outcomes for patients, so we are delighted that research undertaken at our Centre of Excellence has progressed into a clinical trial, bringing hope to patients with NF2 and NF2-related tumours. What is great about using repurposed drugs such as Ritonavir and Lopinavir, is that they have already been shown to have a strong safety profile in healthy people and those treated for HIV, which means that they can more quickly be translated from the laboratory to patients.”

Early management of gestational diabetes can prevent complications: Lancet

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Early management of gestational diabetes can prevent complications: Lancet

Gestational diabetes is the most common pregnancy complication the world over; currently pregnant women beyond 24 weeks are tested

 

Testing for gestational diabetes before the 14th week of pregnancy can minimise complications at a later stage, researchers have reported in The Lancet. Currently pregnant women are checked for diabetes post the 24th week.

World over about one in 14 pregnant women develop gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM)

 which is characterised by blood sugar levels that are higher than normal but not as high as in people with a chronic blood sugar problem. The sugar levels usually normalise after delivery.

“Our new Series emphasises the urgent need for a major shift in how GDM is first diagnosed and managed, not only during pregnancy but throughout the lifetime of mothers and their babies,” said Series lead Prof. David Simmons of Western Sydney University, Australia.  “GDM is an increasingly complex condition, and there isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach to managing it. Instead, a patient’s unique risk factors and metabolic profile should be considered to help guide them through pregnancy and support them afterward to achieve the best health outcomes for women and babies everywhere.” 

As obesity continues to increase worldwide, along with impaired glucose tolerance and T2D rates in women of reproductive age, GDM prevalence has also increased two to threefold across multiple countries over the last 20 years. The current GDM prevalence rates range from over 7% in North America and the Caribbean region to almost 28% in the Middle East and North Africa region. 

Doctors from Delhi”s All India Institute of Medical Sciences also participated in the study. “GDM is a tremendous public health challenge. Women who experience it need support from the medical community, policymakers, and society as a whole to ensure they can effectively access proper treatment, reduce the stigma associated with GDM, and improve their overall pregnancy experience,” said Series author Dr Yashdeep Gupta of the All India Institute of Medical Science.

 

Air Pollution caused 8.1 mn deaths in 2021, highest killer after malnutrition of kids below five

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Air Pollution caused 8.1 mn deaths in 2021, highest killer after malnutrition of kids below five

New State of Global Air 2024 Report says noncommunicable diseases account for up to 90% of the disease burden from air pollution

Air Pollution is now the second highest risk factor for death and accounted for 8.1 million deaths globally in 2021 says the Global Air 2024 Report. It is also the second highest killer the world over of children under five years with 709,000 deaths in the age group being attributed to it.

 

Non communicable deaths such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, lung cancer, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) accounted for about 90% of the global deaths. “In 2021, long-term exposure to ozone contributed to an estimated 489,000 deaths globally, including 14,000 ozone-related COPD deaths in the United States, higher than other high-income countries. As the world continues to warm from the effects of climate change, areas with high levels of NO2 can expect to see higher levels of ozone, bringing even greater health effects,” the report highlighted.

The ill-effects of air pollution manifest slightly differently in babies and children aged less than five years. Premature birth, low birth weight, delayed brain development, asthma, lung diseases, and childhood cancers have all been linked to air pollution. “In 2021, exposure to air pollution was linked to more than 700,000 deaths in children under five years; 500,000 of these deaths were linked to household air pollution, primarily in South Asia and Africa,” the report said.

India among countries where large numbers of children face food poverty, says Unicef

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India among countries where large numbers of children face food poverty, says Unicef

Globally 181 children are affected. India among 20 countries that account for two-thirds of this number

India is one of the 20 countries in the world where most of the 181 million children living in severe child food poverty exist, a new Unicef report has flagged. The other countries are Afghanistan, Bangladesh, China, Côte d’Ivoire, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Indonesia, Myanmar, the Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, the Philippines, Somalia, South Africa, Uganda, the United Republic of Tanzania and Yemen.

South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa are home to more than two-thirds (68 per cent) of the 181 million children living in severe child food poverty, the report said. These children while they missed out on age appropriate nutritious food, suffer the double damage of easy availability and consumption of unhealthy foods. “Among children living in severe child food poverty, four out of five are fed only breastmilk and/or dairy products and/or a starchy staple, such as rice, maize or wheat. Less than 10 per cent are fed fruits and vegetables and less than 5 per cent are fed eggs, or meat, poultry and fish. Meanwhile, unhealthy foods and beverages are consumed by an alarming proportion of children living in severe child food poverty, displacing more nutritious foods from their diets. In Nepal, for example, 42 per cent of children living in severe child food poverty consume foods high in sugar, salt and/or fat, and 17 per cent consume sweet beverages,” the report said.

Among the factors it found contributing to this unfortunate situation are the economic fall-out of the COVID-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine and localized conflicts and climatic shocks have exacerbated the challenges that parents and families face in feeding their children. 

The study identified three major drivers for severe child food poverty. These are poor food environments for children, poor feeding practices in early childhood, and household income poverty affecting children and their families. 

World Sickle Cell Day: PM, health minister reiterate commitment on diagnosis, treatment

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World Sickle Cell Day: PM, health minister reiterate commitment on diagnosis, treatment

Last year the government of India had launched the National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission

Prime minister Narendra Modi and health minister J P Nadda have reiterated their commitment to the elimination of Sickle Cell Anaemia.

In their statements of the occasion of World Sickle Cell Day, they talked about the importance of early diagnosis, treatment access, and enhancing the quality of care for those affected. In his post on the social media site X, Modi wrote: “On World Sickle Cell Day, we reiterate our commitment to overcome this disease. Last year, we launched the National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission and have been working on aspects like creating awareness, universal screening, early detection and proper care. We are also leveraging the power of technology in this area.”

Nadda also posted about the disease. He wrote: “Every year on June 19th, we obsrve World Sickle Cell Day to raise awareness about sickle cell disease. Guided by the mantra “Hope Through Progress: Advancing Global Sickle Cell Care & Treatment,” we strengthen our commitment to combating this disease. Our efforts focus on promoting early diagnosis, ensuring access to treatment, and enhancing the quality of care for those affected.”

Sickle cell anaemia is a disease of the red blood cells where the cells are deformed because of a genetic condition that makes them incapable of carrying oxygen sufficiently. A person can be a carrier of the trait without ever having symptoms. When two people who are carriers get married, the chances their children having the disease are high.

India had launched the National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission in July 2023 under which screening is being carried out in sickle cell endemic districts of the country with people being provided cards that depict their sickle cell status. This is aimed at preventing marriage between two carriers and over a period of time bring down incidence of the disease. 

 

Sudden hearing loss is usually curable, can be caused by infection, exposure to loud noises

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Sudden hearing loss is usually curable, can be caused by infection, exposure to loud noises

Veteran Bollywood singer Alka Yagnik has revealed that she is suffering from a rare sensory hearing loss

Singer Alka Yagnik has revealed that she has been diagnosed with a “rare sensory hearing loss”.  

She wrote on her social media handle: “It has been diagnosed by my docs as a rare sensory nerve hearing loss, due to a viral attack…This sudden, major setback has caught me completely unawares. As I attempt to come to terms with it, please keep me in your prayers.”

Sudden sensorineural hearing loss is caused by viruses like Herpes, Varicella, and Mumps or sudden loud exposure to noise levels above 85 decibel (dB). Hearing loss is often associated with viral flu and seen commonly in children. It occurs due to inflammation or swelling to the inner ear or the nerve pathways that transmit sound from the ear to the brain. It usually occurs in only one ear and affects both ears in less than 1% of cases.

Acute hearing loss is curable in most cases, if treatment is started early, says Dr. Noor-Ul-Din Malik, consultant ENT surgeon, at Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, New Delhi. “It is advisable to rush to an ENT specialist as soon as someone notices hearing impairment and treatment includes antivirals, oral and intratympanic steroids,” he said.

Ear examination is part of the evaluation process to eliminate other causes of hearing loss like wax accumulation, infections and tympanic membrane perforation. Audiometry tests help in measuring the degree of hearing loss.

 

Blood test can predict Parkinson’s Disease 7 years before symptoms show

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Blood test can predict Parkinson’s Disease 7 years before symptoms show

Researchers have reported in the journal Nature Communications that a blood panel could help identify patients at risk early on and thus prevent a full blown disease

Living with Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is a difficult thing but what if that wasn’t necessary? New research suggests that it may be possible to predict the onset of this motor disease seven years before the symptoms start showing, this giving doctors ample time to address and possibly prevent a full blown disease.

Scientists at UCL and University Medical Center Goettingen and their collaborators have reported in Nature Communications that a blood test may be sufficient for this. They said that they have identified eight “objective biomarkers for early/pre-motor disease stages to be able to intervene and slow the underlying neurodegenerative process”.

Parkinson’s disease is the world’s fastest growing neurodegenerative disorder and currently affects nearly 10 million people across the globe. Senior author, Professor Kevin Mills (UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health), said: “As new therapies become available to treat Parkinson’s, we need to diagnose patients before they have developed the symptoms. We cannot regrow our brain cells and therefore we need to protect those that we have. At present we are shutting the stable door after the horse has bolted and we need to start experimental treatments before patients develop symptoms.  Therefore, we set out to use state-of-the-art technology to find new and better biomarkers for Parkinson’s disease and develop them into a test that we can translate into any large NHS laboratory. With sufficient funding, we hope that this may be possible within two years.”

The researchers wrote: “PD has emerged as the world’s fastest-growing neurodegenerative disorder and currently affects close to 10 million people worldwide. Consequently, there is an urgent need for disease-modifying and prevention strategies. The development of such strategies is hampered by two limitations: there are major gaps in our understanding of the earliest events in the molecular pathophysiology of PD, and we lack reliable and objective biomarkers and tests in easily accessible bio-fluids. We, therefore, need biomarkers that can identify PD earlier, preferably a significant time before an individual develops significant neuronal loss and disabling motor and/or cognitive disease. Such biomarkers would advance population-based screenings to identify individuals at risk and who could be included in upcoming prevention trials.

 

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