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Is your heartburn pill safe? Panel recommends banning ranitidine in India
Panel recommends ranitidine suspension over NDMA cancer risk
The report by the expert panel has been submitted to the apex body, the Drug Technical Advisory Board (DTAB), which advises the Drug Controller General of India on regulatory actions. According to the latest agenda document for the DTAB meeting, accessed by News18, the board is set to deliberate on a recommendation to suspend the manufacture, sale, and distribution of ranitidine in India.
Half of ranitidine samples exceed global NDMA safety limits
The report noted that, of the 42 samples of ranitidine tested at the Central Drug Laboratory in Kolkata, 21 were found to contain levels of N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) impurities exceeding 0.32 parts per million. This surpasses the globally accepted threshold for the impurity, which is associated with a heightened risk of cancer upon prolonged exposure.
What is ranitidine, and why was it so widely used?
Ranitidine, first developed in 1981 in Europe by Glaxo Holdings Ltd, now part of GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) PLC, is sold over the counter under popular brand names such as Rantac, Zinetac, and Aciloc. It works by reducing stomach acid and is commonly used to relieve indigestion, heartburn, and treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and ulcers of the stomach and intestines. Though banned in the United States, Europe, Australia, and several other countries, it has been a staple in Indian households for decades.
Concerns over the drug arose after several international regulatory bodies—including the US Food and Drug Administration, European Medicines Agency, and Australia's Therapeutic Goods Administration—removed ranitidine from their markets over unacceptable levels of NDMA.
In December 2024, the government informed the Rajya Sabha that the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), India's drug regulatory body, had taken steps to address safety concerns surrounding NDMA in ranitidine.
Ranitidine removed from essential medicines list in 2022
While India has thus far refrained from banning ranitidine, it was removed from the National List of Essential Medicines (NLEM) in 2022, and multiple safety advisories were issued. The News18 report now suggests that a formal ban may soon follow.
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First Post
6 hours ago
- First Post
23 deaths due to heart attack in 40 days in Karnataka's Hassan: Is there a ‘Covid vaccine' link?
In just 40 days, Karnataka's Hassan district has reported 23 heart attack deaths, many involving young or middle-aged people. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has questioned whether there could be a link between these deaths and the Covid vaccine. The Union Health Ministry, however, has said that there is no evidence to suggest that the vaccine is causing sudden deaths among adults read more This rise in cases has also led to an 8 per cent increase in patients visiting Jayadeva Hospital in Bengaluru. News18 Heart attack-related deaths have gone up alarmingly in Karnataka's Hassan district. In the past 40 days, 23 people have died after suffering heart attacks. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has now set up a team of experts, led by Dr Ravindranath from the Jayadeva Institute, to find out what is behind the spike. The panel has been asked to give its report in 10 days. ALSO READ | Shefali Jariwala death: What are glutathione injections, and are they safe? STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The Chief Minister has also questioned whether the Covid vaccine might have anything to do with these deaths. So, what's really going on in Hassan? Is there a link between the vaccine and the deaths, as the state government claims? Let's take a look: What happened? In just 40 days, Karnataka's Hassan district has reported 23 deaths, all caused by heart attacks. Another troubling concern is that many of those who died were either young or middle-aged. Data from May 28 to June 29, 2025, indicates a concerning view across age groups. Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah links Covid vaccines with surge in heart attack-related deaths in Hassan, triggers political row News18's @harishupadhya and @Elizasherine with details "Vaccines have been safe, they are not associated with cardiac diseases": Dr Sanjeev Bagai… — News18 (@CNNnews18) July 2, 2025 The list includes four people under the age of 20 (two boys and two girls), one woman aged between 21 and 29, five men between 30 and 40, seven men aged 41 to 59, and one man over 60. On Tuesday, a 27-year-old woodworker was the latest to die after suffering a heart attack. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD This rise in cases has also led to an 8 per cent increase in patients visiting Jayadeva Hospital in Bengaluru over the past two weeks, mostly from Hassan and nearby areas. Figures from the District Health and Family Welfare Department show that Hassan has seen 507 heart attack cases in the last two years, with 190 resulting in death, India Today reported. Another troubling concern is that many of those who died were either young or middle-aged. Pixabay/Representational Image What did the state government say? A high-level meeting was held on June 30 at the office of the Hassan District Collector. It was chaired by the Principal Secretary of the Health and Family Welfare Department and attended by key medical experts, including the Director of the Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, the District Health and Family Welfare Officer, District Surgeon, Medical Superintendent, and the District Surveillance Officer. An expert committee led by Dr Ravindranath has also been set up to find out what is behind the deaths and submit a report. In the past month alone, in just one district of Hassan, more than twenty people have died due to heart attacks. The government is taking this matter very seriously. To identify the exact cause of these series of deaths and to find solutions, a committee of experts has been… — Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) July 1, 2025 STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, meanwhile, has raised doubts about whether there could be a link between these deaths and the Covid vaccine, adding that the vaccine may have been approved and rolled out too quickly. He wrote on X, 'Orders were given to this same committee back in February to conduct a thorough study on the reasons behind sudden deaths among young people in the state, and whether the Covid vaccines could have any adverse effects.' 'It cannot be denied that the hasty approval and distribution of the Covid vaccine to the public could also be a reason for these deaths, as several studies worldwide have recently indicated that Covid vaccines could be a cause for the increasing number of heart attacks,' he added. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD ALSO READ | Killer dreams: How nightmares can lead to early death Karnataka Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao told News18 that he has asked the expert team to visit the area, look into the deaths, and check if similar incidents are being reported in other parts of the state. He also urged people not to panic and said the health department was treating the matter seriously. 'Once we get the report, we will be able to speak with greater clarity. These are matters that must be properly investigated. Speculation at this stage could cause unnecessary alarm,' he said. The Chief Minister has also questioned whether the Covid vaccine might have anything to do with these deaths. Pixabay/Representational Image On Tuesday, the Union Health Ministry said there is no evidence to suggest that Covid vaccines are causing sudden deaths among adults. Citing studies by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), the ministry said the issue had been looked into by multiple agencies. 'The matter of sudden unexplained deaths has been investigated through several agencies in the country. These studies have conclusively established that there is no direct link between Covid 19 vaccination and the reports of sudden deaths in the country," it said in a statement. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD #HealthForAll Extensive studies by @ICMRDELHI and AIIMS on sudden deaths among adults post COVID have conclusively established no linkage between COVID-19 vaccines and sudden deaths Lifestyle and Pre-Existing Conditions identified as key factorshttps:// — Ministry of Health (@MoHFW_INDIA) July 2, 2025 The government added that sudden cardiac deaths could be caused by many factors, such as genetics, lifestyle choices, underlying health problems, and even post-Covid complications. 'Studies by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) affirm that Covid-19 vaccines in India are safe and effective, with extremely rare instances of serious side effects. Sudden cardiac deaths can result from a wide range of factors, including genetics, lifestyle, pre-existing conditions, and post-Covid complications," the press release said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The spike in heart-related deaths has left doctors and health experts worried across different age groups. Did the Covid vaccine play a role in the recent heart attack deaths? The expert panel's findings are expected to give some answers soon.
News18
a day ago
- News18
'Not Just Hassan': Area MP Shreyas Patel To News18 On Spike In Heart Attack Deaths Of Youths
Asked why Hassan is in the spotlight, he said it's because every cardiac-related death is being tracked, documented, and responded to seriously It's not just Hassan, but several districts in Karnataka and across India are seeing a rise in young people dying of heart attacks, said Hassan MP Shreyas Patel in an exclusive interview with News18. Asked why Hassan is in the spotlight, he said it's because every cardiac-related death is being tracked, documented, and responded to seriously. 'We are keeping a close watch on heart attack cases, especially among the 18-40 age group, which is why the numbers look high. It's not only happening here, but we are logging every heart-related issue or death and monitoring it closely," he said. The spike in heart attack-related deaths in Hassan prompted the Siddaramaiah government, the local district administration, and the health department under minister Dinesh Gundu Rao to launch a probe into the matter. Karnataka health commissioner Randeep D also sought a report on the Hassan cardiac deaths, calling them concerning. Chief minister Siddaramaiah said on Monday that the government would identify and resolve the underlying problem, adding that directions have been given to the health department to form a committee. According to MP Patel, Hassan's medical institutions immediately launched a coordinated response. 'Over the past month, we've been tracking every case. On June 17, we had a detailed meeting with the district health officer, the director of HIMS, cardiologists from HIMS and private hospitals. We took stock of the situation and began taking action immediately," said the MP. Training has also been prioritised. 'We've directed all assistant medical officers that any patient suspected of having a heart attack must be treated without delay. Not just doctors—every healthcare worker, including staff nurses and support staff, must know what to do as immediate first aid. We've already begun batch-wise training for all medical staff since June 17," he confirmed. The district has also begun implementing the STEMI system—a real-time video consultation setup operated directly by a team of cardiologists from Jayadeva Hospital. Patel said the system has already been installed in three to four hospitals and that they have requested the health minister to extend it to all CHCs. 'He has agreed in principle, and we hope to get approval soon," the MP said. But beyond infrastructure, he insisted that awareness is key. 'People should cooperate with us. They should regularly undergo checkups—echocardiograms, TMT, and ECG. All of these are free and available at Hassan District Hospital. The public must take advantage of this." When asked why heart attack cases are being reported so extensively from Hassan alone, Patel was quick to clarify: 'No, it's not just Hassan. We are simply maintaining daily accounts—how many deaths have occurred due to heart attacks and how many people have been admitted. Those figures are being put out in the media. That's why it looks like it's concentrated here. But this is an issue for all districts. What's different is how seriously we've taken it." He said the focus now is on preventing deaths among young people. 'The main aim is to protect lives in the 18 to 35 age group. We don't want any more young lives lost to sudden cardiac issues," he said. Patel confirmed that cases in Hassan are being clearly marked as heart attacks, not just broadly listed under 'unnatural deaths", which is the usual classification in many other districts. 'We've been observing the trend carefully for a month. Every heart-related admission or death is recorded. That's the data we've provided to the media," he said. He added that health minister Dinesh Gundu Rao has directed the director of the Jayadeva Institute to submit a detailed report on the Hassan deaths within ten days. 'Once that report is in, we will act based on science and evidence, not panic. But this issue is real, and we're treating it with the urgency it demands," Patel said. First Published:
Hindustan Times
a day ago
- Hindustan Times
Nutritionist shares 7 tips to manage PCOS in just 4 weeks: 'Try seed cycling'
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal condition that can cause irregular periods, excessive hair fall, darkening of the underarms, acne, mood swings, and rapid weight gain. However, adopting the right nutrition and lifestyle habits can significantly help in managing its symptoms. On May 31, Nutritionist Chahat shared an Instagram post outlining key habits that can effectively support PCOS management. Also read | PCOS diet: List of optimal food choices for managing symptoms Habits that can help in managing PCOS symptoms effectively. (Shutterstock) 'If you're struggling with belly fat, hair loss, dark patches on your neck or armpits, and irregular periods in PCOS, then through these 8 tips, you can start seeing improvements in just four weeks,' the nutritionist wrote. 1. Adopt a PCOS-friendly diet Add low-glycemic carbs like oats, brown rice, and quinoa, along with lean proteins such as eggs, tofu, and grilled chicken, to stabilize blood sugar and manage insulin resistance. Add fiber-rich vegetables (like spinach, broccoli, and bell peppers) and antioxidant-rich fruits (such as berries and oranges) to support hormone balance and reduce inflammation. Also read | PCOS diet tips: 10 foods that can help in polycystic ovary syndrome 2. Drink herbal teas Like spearmint tea (great for reducing excess androgens and facial hair), green tea (to improve insulin sensitivity), and ginger or dandelion tea (to help with bloating and inflammation). 3. Try seed cycling Start taking seeds at different phases of your menstrual cycle, like flaxseeds and pumpkin seeds from day 1 to 14, and sesame and sunflower seeds from day 15 to 28. This will help support natural estrogen and progesterone production. 4. Include an iron-boosting juice Try drinking a fresh juice made from beetroot, carrot, lemon, and a small piece of ginger. This mix is rich in iron, vitamin A, and antioxidants that key tackles fatigue, dull skin, hair fall, and even those dark patches on the neck or underarms. 5. Use healing herbs Like cinnamon (to improve blood sugar control), turmeric (to reduce inflammation), and fenugreek seeds (to regulate insulin and support ovulation) into your meals or drinks can make a real difference in how you feel over time. 6. Start the right supplements (with guidance) Vitamin D, zinc, omega-3s, and N-acetylcysteine (NAC) can also help reduce inflammation, regulate cycles, and support healthy skin and hair. Always consult a professional before starting them. Also read | Struggling with PCOS, unexpected weight gain? Gynac shares 5 things to have on empty stomach: Amla, flaxseeds and more 7. Incorporate balanced workouts A combination of strength training (2–3 times a week) and brisk walking or cycling can help reduce belly fat, improve insulin sensitivity, and balance hormones. Adding yoga or Pilates also helps lower cortisol levels and improve mood and digestion. Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.
