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Hindustan Times
6 days ago
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Decode. Detect. Defeat: United for Sickle Cell Elimination by 2047
New Delhi: The National Sickle Cell Summit 2025 brought together a powerful cross-section of voices, including survivors, healthcare providers, scientists, patient advocacy groups, and senior policymakers, with one common goal: to eliminate Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) as a national public health concern by 2047. Organised by and Health Shots, in collaboration with the National Alliance of Sickle Cell Organisations and Novo Nordisk India, the event closely aligned with the goals of the National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission, launched under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi ( National Sickle Cell Summit 2025 Left to right: Mr. Vivek Virendra Singh – Chief, Health (a.i.), UNICEF; Abhishek Singh – Deputy Editor, LiveMint; Shri Jual Oram – Hon'ble Minister of Tribal Affairs; Mr. Gautam Dongre – General Secretary, NASCO; Mr. Vikrant Shrotriya – Managing Director, Novo Nordisk India; Radhika Bhirani – Editor, The summit brought together public health leaders, policymakers, and patient advocates to accelerate India's mission to eliminate Sickle Cell Disease by 2047. While the summit's agenda focused on early detection, treatment access, and community engagement, what truly stood out were the voices of those who live with the condition every day. Their stories, layered with resilience and hope, became the emotional anchor around which discussions of policy and reform were built. Tackling a Generational Crisis Setting the tone for the summit, Smt. Anupriya Patel, Hon'ble Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, acknowledged the scale and depth of the challenge. 'Sickle Cell Disease is not just a clinical burden; it's a social, economic, and generational burden,' she said. Her keynote traced the progress of the National Elimination Mission since its 2023 launch. By 2025, over 5.8 crore individuals had been screened, 2.54 crore had received status cards, and more than two lakh individuals were confirmed with SCD. She noted that the programme was not only about screening but also about providing access to care, counselling, and de-stigmatising the disease. This context helped ground discussions for the rest of the day, where each voice was built on the urgency she underscored. - last accessed on 23 July 2025 When Lived Experience Leads the Conversation The importance of patient advocacy was brought to life in the panel 'From Pain to Possibility', moderated by Vartika Tolani of Live Hindustan. It was here that Mr. Gautam Dongre, General Secretary of NASCO, shared his journey as a parent of two children with SCD. 'I have two children with Sickle Cell Disease. Our financial and social life collapsed. Doctors gave up. But we refused to,' he said. His experiences led to the creation of NASCO, a patient-led network working to influence policy through lived experience. Mr. Dongre highlighted that access to Hydroxyurea, a key drug in SCD management, must be made available even at the most remote sub-centres. He also challenged the misconception that SCD only affects tribal groups, clarifying that while the prevalence may be higher in tribal groups, it affects non-tribals as well. Additionally, Dongre raised concerns about the gendered stigma surrounding the disease, particularly the blame placed on women in families where children are diagnosed. He stressed the need for widespread genetic counselling and awareness campaigns that reach into every social segment. Press Note Details: Press Information Bureau – last accessed on 23 July 2025 Shaping Systems Around People Public health leadership was another strong theme throughout the day. Mr. Vivek Virendra Singh, Chief, Health (a.i.), UNICEF India, spoke about the importance of redesigning systems to support people, not merely diagnose them. 'You either live with the disease or suffer from it. Our job is to make sure systems help people live,' he said. He proposed a multi-ministerial approach involving Health, Tribal Affairs, Women and Child Development, and Education, to ensure that screening is followed by structured care pathways. Singh also highlighted the need for culturally sensitive messaging and the integration of survivor voices in the design of public health communication. He emphasised that chronic care for SCD should be normalised the same way it is for conditions like diabetes, with frontline workers empowered and trained to deliver compassionate care. Voices That Moved the Room Survivor testimonies provided some of the most impactful moments of the summit. Mr. Lalit Kishor Pargi, a Sickle Cell Warrior from Rajasthan, shared his late diagnosis at the age of 16 and how hospitalisation in 2021 led him to take up awareness work in tribal communities. 'I was diagnosed at 16, after years of pain and hospital visits. But from my hospital bed in 2021, I decided no one should suffer silently like I did,' he said. In the same panel, Ms. Swati Panika, a survivor from Madhya Pradesh, highlighted the daily obstacles faced by those living with SCD, from navigating education with frequent absences to dealing with stigma and lack of workplace support. 'Managing Sickle Cell with school and hospital visits was exhausting. But I chose to be a warrior, not a victim,' she said. Her advocacy underscored the need for job security, flexible attendance policies in schools, and wider access to genetic counselling. Together, their stories grounded the summit in lived reality, reminding every stakeholder that policy must begin with people. Bridging Policy and Implementation State-level leaders brought attention to what implementation looks like on the ground. In the panel 'From Mission to Movement', moderated by Abhishek Singh, health officials from Jharkhand, Rajasthan, and Maharashtra described how mobile vans and community-level health camps are being used for large-scale screening. The Screening and Early Detection (SED) portal, a digital tool for tracking screenings and follow-ups, was recognised as a critical link between data collection and ongoing care. Chhattisgarh was acknowledged for leading in screening coverage. At the same time, Odisha emerged as the state with the highest number of diagnosed cases — a statistic that reflects both proactive engagement and the deeper prevalence of the condition. These case studies demonstrated that the national mission is no longer confined to policy documents; it is being adapted and implemented in villages, towns, and health sub-centres. Aligning Innovation with Inclusion A dedicated panel on 'Innovation in Action' brought together researchers and public health experts focused on making medical advances more inclusive. In a fireside chat, Mr. Vikrant Shrotriya, Managing Director of Novo Nordisk India, discussed the private sector's role in supporting sustainable change. 'Innovation must be grounded in inclusion. We need to scale what works — not in labs, but in lives,' he said. He emphasized that in conditions like Sickle Cell Disease (SCD), trust is as critical as treatment. 'Our strategy is simple: listen first, then act. Whether it's through wellness hubs, frontline training, or partnerships with state systems, our goal is to co-create care with communities.' Highlighting Novo Nordisk's latest pipeline breakthroughs, Mr. Shrotriya also stressed that innovation must go beyond symptom management: 'The goal is not just to manage SCD, but to truly transform outcomes. Families living with this disease have waited long enough for meaningful solutions.' On the research front, scientists such as Dr. Manisha Madkaikar, Dr. Giriraj Chandak, and Prof. Soumendra Mohan Patnaik called for more genomic studies tailored to Indian populations, especially tribal communities. Their collective appeal was to design clinical interventions that are socially accepted, economically viable, and linguistically accessible. This shift—from lab-centred innovation to patient-centred delivery—emerged as one of the summit's most powerful thematic takeaways. Reframing Health as Justice Bringing a policy perspective grounded in social justice, Shri Jual Oram, Hon'ble Minister of Tribal Affairs, made an impassioned case for aligning health delivery with tribal empowerment. 'For tribal India, this mission is not just medical — it's justice,' he said. Oram stressed the importance of tribal leadership in eliminating stigma and ensuring that diagnosis is accompanied by dignity. His comments reframed the Sickle Cell Mission as not merely a medical programme, but a vehicle for equity and rights — one that must recognise cultural nuances, challenge misinformation, and place affected communities at the centre of the conversation. This call for equity echoed across the summit and became a unifying thread from science to policy. Conclusion: Beyond the Summit In his closing remarks, LiveMint Deputy Editor Abhishek Singh summed it up simply: 'We didn't just listen to experts. We heard from survivors.' The National Sickle Cell Summit 2025 was more than an event; it was a call to act. Real change begins when lived experiences shape every decision, from rural clinics to national policy. India's journey to eliminate Sickle Cell Disease by 2047 must be built not just on data, but on dignity, dialogue, and shared responsibility, ensuring no one is left behind. Note to the Reader: This article has been produced on behalf of the brand by HT Brand Studio and does not have journalistic/editorial involvement of Hindustan Times. Promomats number: IN25BRO00011
Time of India
09-07-2025
- Health
- Time of India
IIM Ahmedabad, Novo Nordisk India partner to strengthen obesity care ecosystem
The Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad on Wednesday said it has signed an agreement with Novo Nordisk India to strengthen the obesity care ecosystem in the country for five years till 2030. The memorandum of understanding, inked on Tuesday, aims to strengthen the healthcare ecosystem in India through a multi-dimensional approach focused on non-communicable diseases (NCDs), especially obesity, the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIMA) said in a statement. "This collaboration with Novo Nordisk India brings together healthcare and public policy, two domains where data and research can enable lasting change. At IIMA, we aim to apply our academic rigour to generate actionable insights for policymakers, healthcare professionals, and communities tackling non-communicable diseases like obesity," IIM Ahmedabad Director Professor Bharat Bhasker said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Play War Thunder now for free War Thunder Play Now Undo As a part of this collaboration, Novo Nordisk India (NNIPL) and IIMA will co-develop and implement impactful programmes under three key pillars - Health System Capacity Building, Policy Advocacy , and Health Economics. Novo Nordisk Managing Director India Vikrant Shrotriya said, "This collaboration with IIM Ahmedabad will jointly shape interventions that are research-backed, scalable, and sustainable. It is our firm belief that partnerships like these can bring lasting change and help improve health outcomes for millions".
Economic Times
25-06-2025
- Health
- Economic Times
Novo Nordisk's Wegovy enters India: Can this weight loss jab beat Mounjaro? Price, who can use it & how it works
Novo Nordisk has launched Wegovy, a weight loss injection, in India, challenging Eli Lilly's Mounjaro. Available by June 2025, Wegovy contains semaglutide, mimicking a hormone to control blood sugar and reduce hunger. Priced from Rs 17,345 to Rs 26,015 monthly, it showed significant weight loss in trials. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads India's obesity market is growing fast Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads How Wegovy Works Wegovy India Price List Dose Monthly Price (Rs) Price Per Dose (Rs) 0.25 mg Rs 17,345 Rs 4,366 0.5 mg Rs 17,345 Rs 4,366 1 mg Rs 17,345 Rs 4,366 1.75 mg Rs 24,280 Rs 6,070 2.4 mg Rs 26,015 Rs 6,503 Mounjaro Dose Monthly Price (Rs) 2.5 mg Rs 14,000 5 mg Rs 17,500 Almost like weight loss surgery, but with a catch Wegovy vs Mounjaro: What's the Difference? Feature Wegovy (Semaglutide) Mounjaro (Tirzepatide) How it works Mimics GLP-1 hormone Acts on GLP-1 and GIP hormones Effect Lowers appetite, slows digestion Improves insulin and reduces appetite Approved for Weight loss Diabetes (off-label for weight loss) How to use Weekly injection via Flexpen Weekly injection via vial Price range Rs 17,345–Rs 26,015 Rs 14,000–Rs 17,500 In a big step for India's weight loss drug market, Danish pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk has officially launched Wegovy , its much-talked-about weight loss injection. The company is now competing directly with Eli Lilly's popular drug, Mounjaro Wegovy is a once-a-week injection that comes in a pen-like device called FlexTouch. It's easy to use and doesn't require vials or syringes. According to Managing Director of Novo Nordisk India, Vikrant Shrotriya, the drug will be available in pharmacies across India by the end of June 2025, The Times of India has one of the world's highest numbers of people struggling with weight. Around 254 million people have general obesity and over 351 million suffer from belly fat-related issues. With the anti-obesity medicine market jumping from Rs 133 crore in 2021 to Rs 576 crore today (as per PharmaTrac), Novo Nordisk sees a huge said, 'Obesity is a chronic illness and a growing problem in India. Wegovy is easy to use and will be priced specially for Indian patients.'Wegovy contains a compound called semaglutide , which mimics a natural hormone in the body. This hormone helps control blood sugar, reduce hunger, slow digestion, and make you feel full for longer. While similar drugs like Ozempic are meant for diabetes, Wegovy is approved for long-term weight comes in a FlexTouch device, allowing users to adjust their weekly dose easily. Each monthly pack includes four needles. The medicine works on brain areas that manage appetite and food to Dr V. Mohan, a well-known diabetologist, 'Semaglutide not only helps in weight loss but also improves heart and inflammation markers. It's a strong option for Indian patients dealing with both obesity and rising heart risks.'For comparison, Eli Lilly's Mounjaro is slightly cheaper:Wegovy has shown very strong results. In global studies, people lost up to 15% of their weight on average, and some even lost 20%. It also helped lower the risk of heart attacks and strokes and improved liver the results are mostly maintained only if the person continues using the drug. If stopped, weight gain can return. Doctors also warn that muscle loss may happen over time, so people need to be regularly from TOI
Time of India
25-06-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Novo Nordisk's Wegovy enters India: Can this weight loss jab beat Mounjaro? Price, who can use it & how it works
In a big step for India's weight loss drug market, Danish pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk has officially launched Wegovy , its much-talked-about weight loss injection. The company is now competing directly with Eli Lilly's popular drug, Mounjaro . Wegovy is a once-a-week injection that comes in a pen-like device called FlexTouch. It's easy to use and doesn't require vials or syringes. According to Managing Director of Novo Nordisk India, Vikrant Shrotriya, the drug will be available in pharmacies across India by the end of June 2025, The Times of India reported. India's obesity market is growing fast India has one of the world's highest numbers of people struggling with weight. Around 254 million people have general obesity and over 351 million suffer from belly fat-related issues. With the anti-obesity medicine market jumping from Rs 133 crore in 2021 to Rs 576 crore today (as per PharmaTrac), Novo Nordisk sees a huge opportunity. Shrotriya said, 'Obesity is a chronic illness and a growing problem in India. Wegovy is easy to use and will be priced specially for Indian patients.' Live Events How Wegovy Works Wegovy contains a compound called semaglutide , which mimics a natural hormone in the body. This hormone helps control blood sugar, reduce hunger, slow digestion, and make you feel full for longer. While similar drugs like Ozempic are meant for diabetes, Wegovy is approved for long-term weight loss. It comes in a FlexTouch device, allowing users to adjust their weekly dose easily. Each monthly pack includes four needles. The medicine works on brain areas that manage appetite and food cravings. According to Dr V. Mohan, a well-known diabetologist, 'Semaglutide not only helps in weight loss but also improves heart and inflammation markers. It's a strong option for Indian patients dealing with both obesity and rising heart risks.' Wegovy India Price List Dose Monthly Price (Rs) Price Per Dose (Rs) 0.25 mg Rs 17,345 Rs 4,366 0.5 mg Rs 17,345 Rs 4,366 1 mg Rs 17,345 Rs 4,366 1.75 mg Rs 24,280 Rs 6,070 2.4 mg Rs 26,015 Rs 6,503 For comparison, Eli Lilly's Mounjaro is slightly cheaper: Mounjaro Dose Monthly Price (Rs) 2.5 mg Rs 14,000 5 mg Rs 17,500 Almost like weight loss surgery, but with a catch Wegovy has shown very strong results. In global studies, people lost up to 15% of their weight on average, and some even lost 20%. It also helped lower the risk of heart attacks and strokes and improved liver health. However, the results are mostly maintained only if the person continues using the drug. If stopped, weight gain can return. Doctors also warn that muscle loss may happen over time, so people need to be regularly monitored. Wegovy vs Mounjaro: What's the Difference? Feature Wegovy (Semaglutide) Mounjaro (Tirzepatide) How it works Mimics GLP-1 hormone Acts on GLP-1 and GIP hormones Effect Lowers appetite, slows digestion Improves insulin and reduces appetite Approved for Weight loss Diabetes (off-label for weight loss) How to use Weekly injection via Flexpen Weekly injection via vial Price range Rs 17,345–Rs 26,015 Rs 14,000–Rs 17,500 Inputs from TOI
Economic Times
25-06-2025
- Health
- Economic Times
Weight-loss drug Wegovy starts at ₹17,345 in India
Live Events (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel Mumbai: Wegovy (semaglutide), the popular weight-loss drug from Danish drug maker Novo Nordisk , is priced between Rs 17,345 and Rs 26,015 across dosages in India. The company announced at its launch that the easy-to-administer once-a-weekly pen-filled injectable will have the advantage of convenient drug will be available in five dosing strengths (0.25, 0.5, 1, 1.7 and 2.4 mg) and will be prescribed for long-term chronic weight management and reduction in risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE).Vikrant Shrotriya, MD, Novo Nordisk India, said obesity is a chronic disease and a national epidemic. "Wegovy is a transformative therapeutic solution with the convenience of a world-class, state-of-the-art pen device," he Mithal, chairman and head, endocrinology and diabetes, Max Healthcare , said although the price of Wegovy is not within the reach of the Indian masses, the potential for the drug is time, he said, the cardiovascular benefit of Wegovy 2.4 mg is an important addition to the weight loss benefits. It is clinically proven to reduce cardiac events by 20%, both in people suffering from overweight/obesity with pre-existing heart drug can be prescribed for patients with BMI over 30 and those with BMI above 27 and pre-existing surgeon Mufazzal Lakdawala told ET that weight-loss drugs are proving to be the game-changers and they have just unlocked the potential for obese patients. He said the new age weight loss drugs could potentially complement bariatric surgery for patients beyond BMI of 45-50 as a weight-loss to Wegovy, Mounjaro's 2.5 mg and 5 mg vials, which are also given on a weekly basis, are priced at Rs 14,000 to Rs 17,500 for a month's dose.
