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In a significant move to safeguard <keyword id="19913584" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="public-health" source="keywords">public health</keyword>, the Indian government has banned 156 widely sold fixed-dose combination (FDC) drugs, many of which are used to treat common ailments such as fever, colds, allergies and pain. The banned FDCs include several popular antibacterial and pain-relief medications, which the government has declared "likely to involve risk to human beings." The ban was officially announced through a gazette notification issued by the <keyword id="19897332" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Union-Health-Ministry" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Union Health Ministry" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Union Health Ministry">Union Health Ministry</keyword> on August 12. <keyword id="22891947" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="FDC-drugs" source="keywords">FDC drugs</keyword>, often referred to as "cocktail" drugs, contain a combination of two or more active pharmaceutical ingredients in a fixed ratio. While such combinations are intended to offer multi-faceted treatment, concerns have been raised about their safety and efficacy. Among the drugs on the banned list is the well-known combination of Aceclofenac 50 mg and <keyword id="20687368" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="paracetamol" source="keywords">Paracetamol</keyword> 125 mg, a popular pain reliever produced by several major pharmaceutical companies. Other banned FDCs include Mefenamic Acid Paracetamol Injection, Cetirizine HCl Paracetamol Phenylephrine HCl, Levocetirizine Phenylephrine HCl Paracetamol, Paracetamol Chlorpheniramine Maleate Phenyl Proanolamine, and Camylofin Dihydrochloride 25 mg Paracetamol 300 mg. A particularly notable ban is on the combination of Paracetamol, Tramadol, Taurine, and Caffeine. Tramadol, an opioid-based painkiller, has drawn attention for its potential for abuse and addiction, adding to the concerns surrounding its inclusion in over-the-counter FDCs. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="112557689" title="The drugmaker that hopes to legalize MDMA is cutting 75% of its staff after the FDA rejected the drug" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>According to the government's notification, the Central government has determined that the use of these FDCs "is likely to involve risk to human beings," and that "safer alternatives to the said drugs are available." The decision follows an in-depth examination by an Expert Committee, which found many of these FDCs to be "irrational." The apex panel Drugs Technical Advisory Board (DTAB) also reviewed the combinations and concluded that there was "no therapeutic justification" for the ingredients in these FDCs. In light of the potential risks, the government deemed it necessary to prohibit the manufacture, sale, and distribution of these drugs under Section 26A of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940. The notification emphasised that "in the larger public interest, it is necessary to prohibit the manufacture, sale, or distribution of this FDC" as regulation or restriction would not be sufficient to protect patients. This is not the first time the Indian government has intervened to address the sale of FDCs. In 2016, the Centre had announced a ban on 344 FDCs after an expert panel — established at the direction of the Supreme Court — found that many of these combinations were being sold without sufficient scientific evidence supporting their efficacy. Although that decision was contested in court by <keyword id="22603498" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="drug-manufacturers" source="keywords">drug manufacturers</keyword>, it set a precedent for regulatory scrutiny of FDCs in India. In June 2023, 14 FDCs from the original list of 344 were also banned. Many of the drugs included in the recent list of 156 were part of this original 344-drug combination ban, reinforcing the government's continued efforts to remove unsafe and unjustified medications from the market. Several of the banned products had already been discontinued by manufacturers, but the new regulations ensure that these combinations will no longer be available for sale in India, further emphasising the government's commitment to public safety and rational drug use. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="112374485" title="Govt waives clinical trial requirement for several drugs approved in select countries" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>

156 ‘combination medicines’ containing Cetirizine, Paracetamol and other common drugs banned by Centre

The <keyword id="22200485" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="NEET-PG-2024" source="keywords">NEET-PG 2024</keyword> entrance examination will be held on <keyword id="22298192" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="August-11" source="keywords">August 11</keyword> in two shifts, the <keyword id="20270021" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="National-Board-of-Examinations-in-Medical-Sciences" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences">National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences</keyword> announced on Friday. The <keyword id="19957604" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="exam" source="keywords">exam</keyword> was earlier scheduled to be held on June 23. "In continuation of NBEMS notice dated 22.06.2024, the conduct of NEET-PG 2024 examination has been rescheduled. It will now be conducted on August 11 in two shifts. The cut-off date for the purpose of eligibility to appear in the NEET-PG 2024 shall continue to be August 15, 2024," the Board said. The <keyword id="19897332" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Union-Health-Ministry" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Union Health Ministry" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Union Health Ministry">Union Health Ministry</keyword> on June 22 postponed the NEET-PG entrance examination, scheduled to be held on June 23, as a "precautionary measure" in the wake of allegations on the integrity of certain competitive exams. Several meetings since then have been held with officials from the Union Health Ministry, National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) along with its technical partner Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), National Medical Commission (NMC) and Cyber Cell officials to evaluate the "robustness" of the system for the conduct of the exam, sources said. The Ministry of Health had decided to undertake a thorough assessment of the robustness of processes of the NEET-PG entrance examination. The National Eligibility Entrance Test-Postgraduate (NEET-PG) entrance examination is conducted by NBEMS along with its technical partner TCS for medical students. SEE ALSO:<a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/webstories/upcoming-smartphones-launching-in-india-in-july-2024/slidelist/111304902.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/webstories/upcoming-smartphones-launching-in-india-in-july-2024/slidelist/111304902.cms" target="_blank">Upcoming smartphones launching in India in July 2024</a><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/hp-envy-x360-14-review/articleshow/111407165.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/hp-envy-x360-14-review/articleshow/111407165.cms" target="_blank">HP Envy x360 14 review – feature-packed laptop with a sleek design</a><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/webstories/motorola-razr-50-ultra-flip-phone-launched-in-india-for-99999/slidelist/111504950.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/webstories/motorola-razr-50-ultra-flip-phone-launched-in-india-for-99999/slidelist/111504950.cms" target="_blank">Motorola Razr 50 Ultra flip phone launched in India for ₹99,999</a>

New dates announced for NEET-PG 2024, exam to be held on August 11

<keyword id="19895063" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="India" source="keywords">India</keyword> has reported its first confirmed case of <keyword id="20134986" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Monkeypox" source="keywords">Monkeypox</keyword> (<keyword id="20965747" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Mpox" source="keywords">Mpox</keyword>) caused by the highly transmissible <keyword id="22812233" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Clade-1B" source="keywords">Clade 1B</keyword> strain, marking a significant moment in the country’s ongoing battle against the <keyword id="20542503" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="viral-disease" source="keywords">viral disease</keyword>. According to sources in the <keyword id="19896140" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Health-Ministry" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Health Ministry" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Health Ministry">Health Ministry</keyword>, this case involves a patient from <keyword id="19896018" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Kerala" source="keywords">Kerala</keyword> <keyword id="19895006" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="WHO" source="keywords">who</keyword> had recently returned from Dubai. The World Health Organization (WHO) had recently raised concerns about the spread of Mpox, classifying it as a disease of international concern, especially as new, more infectious strains emerge. While Mpox has appeared in India before, all prior cases were linked to the less deadly Clade II strain. <h2>A new, more <keyword id="22892041" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="transmissible-strain" source="keywords">transmissible strain</keyword></h2>The case in Kerala is the first in India involving Clade 1B, a variant known for its higher transmission rate and increased mortality compared to previous strains. A Health Ministry official confirmed that the patient is currently in stable condition and that rigorous contact tracing efforts are underway to prevent further spread. This response follows India’s earlier experience with Mpox, where over 30 cases were recorded between 2022 and 2024, predominantly from travellers returning from African nations where the disease remains endemic. <h2>Mpox symptoms and spread</h2>Mpox manifests through typical viral symptoms, including fever, headaches, and muscle pain, eventually leading to skin rashes or lesions. These rashes often emerge a few days after the fever and vary in appearance, sometimes resembling fluid-filled blisters that crust over and heal within a few weeks. However, while symptoms usually resolve without intervention, the disease can lead to serious complications and, in rare instances, death. Unlike COVID-19 or influenza, Mpox is not airborne. Its primary mode of transmission is through close physical contact, particularly skin-to-skin contact or exposure to contaminated materials, such as bedding or clothing. Sexual transmission is also a significant factor in the spread of the disease. Health experts stress the importance of maintaining strict hygiene practices and ensuring that caregivers use personal protective equipment when attending to infected individuals. <h2>Health Ministry's preparedness</h2>In light of this new development, the Indian government is taking preventive measures to contain the situation. Union Health Secretary Apurva Chandra has issued directives to states and Union Territories, urging them to ensure isolation facilities are readily available for suspected or confirmed cases. These measures also include ramping up resources such as trained healthcare personnel and medical supplies. While there is no immediate risk of a widespread outbreak, authorities are adopting a cautious approach to avoid any potential escalation. Recent cases, such as one involving a resident of Hisar, Haryana, demonstrate the country’s ongoing efforts to monitor, isolate, and treat Mpox cases effectively. (With inputs from agencies)

More transmissible, higher fatality rate: India records first case of fast-spreading Mpox strain Clade 1B in Kerala man

Having been declared a global health emergency by <keyword id="6366244" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="who" source="Orion">WHO</keyword> just a few weeks ago, the dreaded <keyword id="20965747" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="mpox" source="keywords">Mpox</keyword> (formerly <keyword id="7616951" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="monkeypox" source="Orion">monkeypox</keyword>) has slowly been closing in on India. And now, days after our neighbour <keyword id="19899252" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="pakistan" source="keywords">Pakistan</keyword> confirmed its second Mpox case this month, India has also reported its first one this season. While feeling uncertain is understandable, the situation is far from dire just yet. On Monday, September 9, 2024, the <keyword id="19896140" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="health-ministry" source="keywords">Health Ministry</keyword> confirmed that a previously suspected case of Mpox was a travel-related infection. The patient, a young male, recently returned from a country experiencing ongoing Mpox transmission. Laboratory tests confirmed the presence of the West African clade 2 of the Mpox virus, which is distinct from the more dangerous clade 1 currently under a public health emergency. In its statement, the Ministry emphasised that this case is isolated and in line with the 30 previous Mpox cases reported in India since July 2022. The Ministry clarified that this case does not contribute to the WHO-declared public health emergency associated with clade 1 of Mpox, which has spread primarily in parts of <keyword id="19924003" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="africa" source="keywords">Africa</keyword>. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="112542249" title="WHO has declared mpox a global health emergency. What happens next?" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div> <h2>Patient condition and response measures </h2>The infected individual is isolated at a designated tertiary care isolation facility. The Ministry reports that the patient is clinically stable, with no systemic illness or pre-existing conditions. Public health authorities have initiated contact tracing and monitoring to ensure the infection remains contained, stating that no widespread public health risk exists at this time. <h2>Mode of transmission and symptoms </h2>The global Mpox outbreak has primarily affected young males, with a median age of 34. The main mode of transmission has been sexual contact, followed by non-sexual person-to-person contact. The most commonly reported symptom is a rash, which can manifest either systemically or in the genital region, followed by fever. WHO data shared by the Ministry indicates that approximately 51.9% of Mpox cases involve individuals living with HIV. This underscores the need for targeted healthcare and awareness, especially in high-risk populations. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="112561654" title="WHO calls for increased surveillance, sharing of data, vaccines to combat monkeypox outbreak" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div> <h2>Increased vigilance and preparedness </h2>Following the confirmation of this case, the Health Ministry has issued directives to all states and union territories, urging healthcare workers, particularly those in skin/STD clinics and NACO (<keyword id="20887701" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="national-aids-control-organisation" source="keywords">National AIDS Control Organisation</keyword>) clinics, to stay alert to the signs and symptoms of Mpox. These clinics must be prepared for immediate isolation, clinical management, and treatment of complications, adhering to established protocols. The Ministry has also advised enhanced screening and testing of suspected Mpox cases, especially at airports and other points of entry, to prevent further transmission. <h2>Awareness and risk communication </h2>The Ministry has issued guidelines to state AIDS control societies, urging them to be vigilant in identifying suspect cases, especially among vulnerable populations such as female sex workers (FSW) and men who have sex with men (MSM). Communities must be made aware of the disease’s transmission and symptoms, as well as the importance of timely reporting. Clear risk communication, particularly to healthcare workers and intervention sites such as skin and paediatric clinics, is crucial to prevent the spread of the virus. While the Ministry advocates for robust preventive measures, it also stresses the importance of avoiding undue panic among the general public. For now, the Ministry’s actions aim to ensure that India remains well-prepared to handle isolated Mpox cases, while working to prevent any major outbreak in the country. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="112550492" title="Danish monkeypox-vaccine maker surges 17% after global health emergency declared" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>

Mpox has finally infiltrated India, but how worried should we be about the viral disease?

With Indians rushing to file their ITRs ahead of the July 31st deadline that's coming up tomorrow, did you know that residents of just one Indian state are exempt from filing <keyword id="19901478" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="income-tax" source="keywords">income tax</keyword> returns, or paying taxes at all? Yes, <keyword id="19903425" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Sikkim" source="keywords">Sikkim</keyword> is the only state in the country where the residents do not have to pay income tax. But why is that the case? Let's delve into it. An erstwhile princely kingdom for almost 333 years prior to its amalgamation, Sikkim merged into independent India in 1975, thereby becoming the country's 22nd state. But this happened on one condition- that it will be allowed to continue with its old <keyword id="21152786" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="tax-laws" source="keywords">tax laws</keyword> post the merger. Sikkim has its own income tax manual, which stipulated that no resident of Sikkim was to pay taxes to the center. Hence, honoring the merger agreement, the Indian government granted a special tax exemption to Sikkimese residents from Indian income tax regulations. This changed in 2008, when the <keyword id="19908389" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Union-Budget" source="keywords">Union budget</keyword> repealed the state's tax laws. However, to maintain the exemption status enjoyed by the state's residents, it inserted section 10 (26AAA). Under this section, any income generated by a Sikkimese, be it from a source within the state, or by way of dividend or interest on securities, would be tax-exempt. At present, any individual who has been domiciled (noted as having fixed, principal and permanent residence) in Sikkim as of April 26, 1975 would be considered a Sikkimese, and hence, exempt from paying income tax. As per data from PRS Legislative Research, the state's estimated own tax revenue for 2023-24 stood at Rs 1,727 crore. However, if a Sikkimese has rental income from properties situated outside of the state, or has an income from source that is not located in Sikkim, it will be subject to relevant taxes. Nevertheless, the provisions of tax exemptions would not apply to any Sikkimese woman, who marries a non-Sikkimese or an outsider, on or after April 1, 2008. Market regulator SEBI has also exempted residents of Sikkim from mandatorily having a PAN card for investing in Indian stock markets, equities, cash market and even mutual funds. <h2>Decoding Section 10 (26) of the IT Act</h2>All these income-tax exemptions also extend to a few other regions in the country, but only if you are a member of the scheduled tribes. Section 10(26) of the Income Tax Act applies to Ladakh, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland and <keyword id="19919396" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="tripura" source="keywords">Tripura</keyword>, along with the North Cashar hills district, Karbi Anglang district, Chakma district, Mara district, and Lai District. Simply put, it stipulates that if you belong to the scheduled tribes and generate any income, the source of which lies in the above mentioned regions, or by way of dividend or interest on securities, your income would be tax-exempt. But any income generated outside of these regions would be taxable.

Did you know about the only Indian state exempt from paying any income tax? Know all about it here

In a post-budget interaction with industry stakeholders today, <keyword id="20419783" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="revenue-secretary" source="keywords">Revenue Secretary</keyword> Sanjay Malhotra highlighted that the government aims to comprehensively review the <keyword id="19985623" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Direct-Tax-Code" source="keywords">Direct Tax Code</keyword> within the next 6 months, and it is too early to say whether or not that would entail any significant overhauls. However, "we would like to have a collaborative approach for its implementation, and would certainly present the draft for public opinion” Malhotra added. Buybacks taxed as dividend Starting October 1, 2024, the amount received by the shareholder on buyback of his/her shares by the company will be treated as dividend income, and will be taxable at the hands of shareholders. Also, the cost incurred by the investor to acquire those shares will not be allowed as a deduction against the income, but can be set off as a capital loss, only against other <keyword id="20619608" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="capital-gains" source="keywords">capital gains</keyword>, for a maximum of 8 subsequent years Malhotra explained the government's rationale behind this proviso, noting that buyback does not fundamentally alter the company's capital structure, and like dividend distribution, is a way for the company to give out its surplus. Moreover, it is up to the investor, whether or not they want to participate in a buyback or not. Hence, going ahead, funds from buyback will be deemed as dividend income. Credit on TCS paid Previously, in case your employer has already deducted TCS (tax collected at source) from your monthly salary, it would not be accounted for, or considered while calculating your annual tax liability. As a result, it had to be claimed back separately as a refund, resulting in duplication of processes. However, effective April 1, 2025, salaried employees will be able to adjust the TCS they've already, previously paid while calculating their tax due. The Old tax regime heading towards a sunset? While the officials have given no clarity on this, they noted that the idea of taxation is not to push people into investing, saving or buying insurance for the sole purpose of saving taxes as the old regime did. "It is a moral debate on whether tax regimes are supposed to push people towards financial planning measures like buying health or life insurances. However, as we go ahead, the focus will entirely on greater, more deep-rooted focus on how tax filing and compliance can be simplified and transformed into a hassle-free, smooth process. The new tax regime was finding increased grounding amongst both investors and corporates. For the previous assessment year, 2/3rd of total taxpayers had opted for the new tax regime, while 58% of corporate tax flows had come via them. Loss of indexation benefit only psychological Raman Chopra, Joint Secretary, CBDT, <keyword id="19908390" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Ministry-of-Finance" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Ministry of Finance" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Ministry of Finance">Ministry of Finance</keyword> noted that scrapping away indexation benefits is only psychological, and tax payers will not have to bear any real losses as such. "Indexation was a complicated process. Think of this as the cost of simplification of the tax process. Now, we only have two holding periods across all asset classes, making it easier. While indexation benefits continues for properties purchased before 2001, investors continue to receive rollover benefits in case they find that their tax incidence under the reduced tax rates is high.

You Searched For "Union health ministry data" and got 6 results

156 ‘combination medicines’ containing Cetirizine, Paracetamol and other common drugs banned by Centre

BI India Bureau

New dates announced for NEET-PG 2024, exam to be held on August 11

PTI

More transmissible, higher fatality rate: India records first case of fast-spreading Mpox strain Clade 1B in Kerala man

BI India Bureau

Mpox has finally infiltrated India, but how worried should we be about the viral disease?

BI India Bureau

Did you know about the only Indian state exempt from paying any income tax? Know all about it here

Ira Alok Puranik

Comprehensive review of the IT Act imminent in 6 months, notes revenue secretary

Ira Alok Puranik

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