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Time of India
a day ago
- Health
- Time of India
Third-party agency to conduct quality, safety checks at Karnataka pharmacies
Bengaluru: With over 45,000 pharmacies operating across the state and limited manpower to ensure they meet safety standards, the govt has decided to seek help from third-party agencies to monitor medicine quality and regulatory compliance. The model is expected to mirror systems already in place in sectors such as construction and finance, where third-party quality certification is widely accepted. Health minister Dinesh Gundu Rao told TOI that the govt plans to bring the Quality Council of India (QCI) — a central govt-backed public-private partnership — on board to conduct independent inspections of pharmacies. The move is aimed at curbing the supply of spurious and expired drugs and ensuring better compliance with safety regulations. You Can Also Check: Bengaluru AQI | Weather in Bengaluru | Bank Holidays in Bengaluru | Public Holidays in Bengaluru "We plan to rope in QCI on a trial basis and proceed from there," Gundu Rao said. "If it's successful, then we will expand operations to the entire state. The move will help bring transparency in quality control and compliance checks." The health department intends to pilot the initiative in a single district. However, a regulatory hurdle remains. Harsh Gupta, health secretary, said: "The state govt will move a proposal to the Centre to introduce third-party inspection of compliance to regulations and seek amendment to the Drugs Rules of 1945." by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Villas For Sale in Dubai Might Surprise You Dubai villas | search ads Get Deals Undo If approved, Karnataka would become one of the first states to open pharmaceutical inspections to independent assessors — a move officials believe is necessary to keep pace with rapid growth of the sector. Officials say relying solely on govt drug inspectors has proven ineffective due to the sheer volume of pharmacies in the system. "The biggest challenge is to get our drug inspectors to go to the field and conduct compliance and regulation checks. It is humanly impossible to do so," said a senior health department official. "If third-party inspections by private parties are allowed, this will ease the burden on our resources and also make it that much more hassle-free for pharmacies to secure and re-apply for licences. "
The Hindu
23-07-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Alnavar, Annigeri taluk hospitals to be upgraded with 30 beds
The government hospitals in Alnavar and Annigeri taluks of Dharwad district will be upgraded as 30-bed hospitals and converted into community health centres, Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao has said. Chairing a review meeting of officials of Belagavi division in Dharwad on Tuesday, Mr. Gundu Rao said that the government has taken steps to upgrade 10-bed hospitals in nine taluks to 30-bed hospitals and Alnavar and Annigeri are among them. The work on the upgradation will begin in November, he said. Emphasising that the department is working transparently for protecting the health of the community, the Minister said that for the first time, over 5,000 doctors and staff of the department have been transferred through counselling. Mr. Gundu Rao said that steps are being taken to extend Puneet Rajkumar Hridayajyoti Scheme to all taluk hospitals in the State. He clarified that there has been no increase in the number of deaths due to heart attacks in the State. Referring to the higher rate of maternal mortality in Dharwad and Belagavi districts, he asked the officials to initiate steps to reduce it. 'In the first quarter of this year, 17 maternal deaths have been reported in Dharwad district and 15 in Belagavi district. Caution must be exercised during childbirth and post-natal care of mothers. Pregnant women should be given guidance on pre-natal and post-natal healthcare,' he said. He also clarified that there is no immediate proposal to shift Dharwad Civil Hospital to another location, while the necessary funds have already been provided for medical equipment and for carrying out repairs at the hospital. The Health Minister said that steps have been taken for recruitment of doctors and a notification will be issued during the year inviting applications for 2,000 posts of MBBS doctors and specialists. This part, vacant posts in all government hospitals will be filled next month, he added.
Hans India
11-07-2025
- Health
- Hans India
Rising heart attacks in Hassan: Obesity, alcohol and lifestyle cited as key factors
Bengaluru: With concerns mounting over a spate of heart attack cases in Hassan district, a technical committee has submitted a detailed study report to Karnataka Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao. The report, which was handed over after an in-depth analysis of recent deaths, attributes the alarming trend mainly to diabetes, alcohol consumption and family health history. Speaking to reporters after chairing a meeting with the committee members, Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao said, 'The technical committee's study on the 24 deaths reported in May and June shows that four deaths were not due to cardiac arrest. Among the remaining 20, 10 people died due to heart-related complications while the other 10 died specifically of heart attacks. Worryingly, 15 of these 20 victims were below the age of 45.' The report comes amid growing public anxiety that heart attacks are on the rise in Hassan. The minister clarified that while 24 people died due to heart attacks in 2024, this year's toll so far stands at 20, which does not indicate a surge but highlights a worrying trend of younger people falling victim. 'Post-mortem reports confirm that excessive obesity was a major factor behind heart attacks among young victims,' he said. The minister highlighted that auto and cab drivers are more prone to heart-related health risks due to lifestyle factors. 'We will focus on screening auto and cab drivers separately. Discussions will be held with driver associations to organise health check-ups and ECG screenings,' he added. He also noted that a majority of the deceased had a history of smoking and alcohol consumption. To improve early detection and care, ECG facilities will be made available at community health centres, and special screening for children will be initiated based on expert advice. Clearing doubts circulating in parts of the district, Minister Gundu Rao said, 'There is no link between these heart attacks and Covid or Covid vaccination. Experts have confirmed this.' The health department is also considering expanding the 'Hridaya Jyoti' scheme to reach more people, while training in CPR will be organised to help respond to cardiac emergencies effectively. The minister emphasised that experts have strongly recommended better preventive measures, including lifestyle counselling, regular screening, and wider awareness campaigns to address the growing health risk in the district.
Hans India
08-07-2025
- Health
- Hans India
No malafide intention by CM
Bengaluru: Health MinisterDinesh Gundu Rao on Monday said Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's statement linking Covid vaccine with the spate of heart attacks was not with any malafide intention. The CM had suggested that the heart attack deaths in Hassan district may be linked to the vaccination drive. He also claimed that the vaccines were 'hastily' approved. His statement drew sharp criticism from the BJP and the likes of Biocon founder Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw. "The CM's intention was good but some people mistook it. He wanted to know about the side effects of Covid and its vaccine," Rao told reporters here. In a post on 'X', the CM had said, "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. Before BJP criticize us on this matter, they should ask their conscience." An expert committee tasked with investigating the recent cases of heart attack deaths in Karnataka said there is no association between premature cardiovascular disease in a patient and a prior history of Covid-19 infection or Covid vaccination. On the contrary, a report submitted by the panel said Covid-19 vaccination has been shown to be protective against cardiac events in the long term.
News18
30-06-2025
- Health
- News18
'It Was Necessary': Karnataka Minister On Heart Attack Probe Amid Alarm Bells In Hassan
Last Updated: Karnataka health minister Dinesh Gundu Rao said the high number of deaths in Hassan district alone, all reportedly due to heart attacks, was alarming Karnataka health minister Dinesh Gundu Rao on Monday said the state has taken serious note of the 18 heart attack-related deaths reported in Hassan district over the past month – many of them among young people aged between 18 and 40. In an exclusive conversation with News18, Gundu Rao said he has ordered an in-depth probe led by experts under the director of Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research. A report is expected in 10 days. 'We wanted to find out exactly what's going on. We took an initial look at the situation, and since there were about 18 cases in one month – some of them younger individuals – we felt it was necessary to get a proper scientific analysis done," Gundu Rao told News18. He said the high number of deaths in one district alone, all reportedly due to heart attacks, was alarming. 'What makes this case particularly concerning is that all of them are from the same district – Hassan. We've asked the team of experts to go there, examine the causes of all 18 deaths, and also check if similar cases are being reported in other districts. We have to see if the ratio is similar or if these cases from Hassan are unique," he said. Cautioning against panic, the minister said the health department is acting with urgency. '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. In a letter to the director of Jayadeva institute, he noted his concern over media reports suggesting that 18 people died of heart attacks in the district in one month. The expert committee, which has already been formed, will also work in collaboration with the Hassan Institute of Medical Sciences. 'There are many factors to assess – what caused these deaths, whether there were other unreported cases, and if this pattern is isolated to Hassan or more widespread. That's why we've called for a full inquiry," he said. Gundu Rao further acknowledged that the rise in heart ailments, especially among younger populations, may be linked to lifestyle changes, diet, and the growing burden of non-communicable diseases. But the Hassan cluster, he said, raised specific questions that need to be answered through scientific assessment. Karnataka has already launched the Puneeth Rajkumar Hridaya Jyoti scheme to address sudden cardiac arrests. He, however, said the current spate of deaths calls for a deeper investigation. With mounting public concern, the minister also stressed that while it is crucial to avoid panic, the state government is not taking this lightly. 'Let's wait for the findings. After that, we will make a decision on what next steps to take," he added. First Published: June 30, 2025, 22:00 IST
