Latest news with #RDA
Express Tribune
2 days ago
- Business
- Express Tribune
PSX climbs to historic high at 124,379
The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) closed at another historic high on Friday as investor confidence soared following the approval of federal budget for FY26. The benchmark KSE-100 index surged 2,332.60 points, or 1.91%, to settle at 124,379. 'The market rebounded strongly from Thursday's brief profit-taking phase, with bullish momentum prevailing throughout the session,' noted Ali Najib, Deputy Head of Trading at Arif Habib Ltd. Institutional investors led the rally amid portfolio rebalancing and optimism about the economic direction set by the newly approved budget. Investor sentiment was further buoyed by robust Roshan Digital Account (RDA) inflows, which reached $10.38 billion by May 2025. Monthly inflows rose 13% to $201 million while the number of accounts climbed to 823,224, reinforcing confidence in Pakistan's external account stability. Key index movers included Fauji Fertiliser Company, Lucky Cement, Meezan Bank, Pakistan Oilfields and Engro Holdings, which collectively contributed 866 points to the day's gains. Market breadth remained strong, with 773 million shares traded valuing at Rs37.6 billion. Bank Makramah led the volumes chart with 79.7 million shares changing hands. The benchmark index posted a weekly gain of 3.63%, or 4,356 points, over five sessions. After opening at 118,272, the index touched a high of 125,285 and a low of 115,887, closing well above the key 120,000 psychological mark. Market analysts view the KSE-100's ability to hold above the 122,000 level as a sign of strong momentum. A sustained stability above 120,000 could pave the way for a fresh rally towards 130,000, driven by improving macroeconomic indicators and rising investor confidence.
Scotsman
2 days ago
- Health
- Scotsman
Common medicines could be depleting vital nutrients, experts warn
User (UGC) Submitted With nearly a billion prescriptions issued annually in England , and almost half the population taking medication regularly, mounting evidence suggests that many of the UK's most frequently prescribed drugs may interfere with the body's ability to absorb, utilise, or retain essential vitamins and minerals - potentially causing side effects and negatively impacting health Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Ethical vitamin company Viridian Nutrition has joined with NHS GP, Dr Siobhan Brennan to raise awareness of the challenges patients face and highlight the common medication and nutrients which are impacted. 'Medicines have transformed our healthcare and are necessary for many people, but patients are often unaware of their impact on nutrition and how this can make them feel worse,' explains Siobhan. 'Nutrient depletion is very rarely listed as a side effect and it's hard to make the connection because it can happen slowly over time.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'Drug - nutrient interactions are often overlooked in routine prescribing,' confirms Registered Pharmacist Gurdeep Nanra. 'While dosage and side effects are monitored, the long-term impact of certain medications on nutrient levels is rarely discussed. Over time, deficiencies in Vitamin B12, magnesium, CoQ10, and other essential nutrients may affect overall health.' The Scale of the Issue 48% of the UK population takes medication regularly, with the NHS spending £10 billion annually on prescriptions. 40% of adults aged 16+ have at least one long-term condition, increasing their likelihood of polypharmacy and nutrient depletion. Medications can reduce appetite, interfere with absorption, alter metabolism, and increase nutrient excretion, leading to deficiencies that may go unnoticed for months or years. The recent NDNS - 2019 to 2023 report that has just come out in the last few weeks shows that: Folate and Vitamin B12: Folate and B12 are already low, particularly in women, and widely depleted by medications like metformin, SSRIs, oral contraceptives, and PPIs. Iron: NDNS has highlighted iron as a key public health issue, with many failing to meet the RDA, further to that PPIs, SSRIs, aspirin/NSAIDs – are all implicated in iron depletion. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Vitamin D: A large proportion of the population are showing to be low in vitamin D, patients on SSRIs, oral contraceptives, or PPIs may see their status worsened. The Hidden Impact of Common Medicines Collective research over the years shows that medication-induced nutrient depletion is not only underreported but may have far-reaching implications for public health. Phil Beard, qualified nutritionist at Viridian Nutrition highlights some of the major findings 'We've seen research confirm that nutrient losses caused by medications are often clinically significant yet remain unmonitored in standard healthcare practice. Findings suggest that common prescriptions can suppress appetite, interfere with digestion, and disrupt gut microbiota - further compounding nutrient deficiencies. Additionally, there are cumulative risks associated with polypharmacy, particularly among older adults and those with chronic conditions.' Some of the most common medications and associated deficiencies include: Medicine Primary Use Key Nutrient Depletions 1 Atorvastatin/Statins Cholesterol CoQ10, Vitamins A, D, E, K 2 PPIs/Omeprazole Acid reflux Magnesium, B12, Iron, Calcium, Zinc 3 Metformin Type 2 diabetes B12, Folate, CoQ10 4 Diuretics Hypertension Magnesium, Potassium, Calcium, B1 5 SSRIs Antidepressants Folate, B12, Sodium, vitamin D, vitamin A, C, calcium, zinc, CoQ10 6 Beta-blockers Blood pressure CoQ10, Potassium 7 HRT / Oral Contraceptives Hormonal therapy B6, B12, Folate, Vitamin C, E, Zinc, Magnesium 8 Aspirin / NSAIDs Pain relief Folate, Vitamin C, B12, Iron NHS GP Dr Siobhan Brennan urges healthcare professionals and patients to address this issue: Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'It's very important for patients to take ownership and discuss any symptoms with their GP or pharmacist – especially if they appear months or years after starting a medication. With almost half the population taking medication regularly and polypharmacy rising, if we continue to overlook micronutrient depletion, we risk undermining the very treatments patients rely on. Patients can ask for an annual review -incorporating both medication and nutritional assessments - to help prevent avoidable side effects such as fatigue, cognitive decline, and musculoskeletal problems.' New Patient Guidance Available To close the knowledge gap, Dr Siobhan Brennan has collaborated with nutritionists at Viridian to publish Medication + Nutrition - a concise, evidence-based guide linking common medications with their documented nutrient losses and recommended counter measures. The guide is available free of charge from independent health stores. More information is available online at Pharmacist and GP advice: Schedule an annual medication review with your GP or pharmacist. If you have concerns, your GP may organise specific tests to check for deficiencies in key nutrients. You can also do this privately to check nutrients such as iron, Vitamin B12, Vitamin D, magnesium and folate levels. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Visit your local independent health store for supplement advice. Keep a diary to monitor your symptoms and talk about them with your health practitioner and prioritise a wholefood diet rich in varied, colourful plants (aim for 30 different varieties weekly) to maximise nutrient intake. Consider a multivitamin. Although not a substitute for a healthy and varied diet, opting for a clean formulation multivitamin (without fillers, binders and other additives) will provide a good foundation level of core vitamins and minerals. Check with your GP on whether this is right for you. Visit
Scotsman
2 days ago
- Health
- Scotsman
Common medicines could be depleting vital nutrients, experts warn
User (UGC) Submitted With nearly a billion prescriptions issued annually in England , and almost half the population taking medication regularly, mounting evidence suggests that many of the UK's most frequently prescribed drugs may interfere with the body's ability to absorb, utilise, or retain essential vitamins and minerals - potentially causing side effects and negatively impacting health Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Ethical vitamin company Viridian Nutrition has joined with NHS GP, Dr Siobhan Brennan to raise awareness of the challenges patients face and highlight the common medication and nutrients which are impacted. 'Medicines have transformed our healthcare and are necessary for many people, but patients are often unaware of their impact on nutrition and how this can make them feel worse,' explains Siobhan. 'Nutrient depletion is very rarely listed as a side effect and it's hard to make the connection because it can happen slowly over time.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'Drug - nutrient interactions are often overlooked in routine prescribing,' confirms Registered Pharmacist Gurdeep Nanra. 'While dosage and side effects are monitored, the long-term impact of certain medications on nutrient levels is rarely discussed. Over time, deficiencies in Vitamin B12, magnesium, CoQ10, and other essential nutrients may affect overall health.' The Scale of the Issue 48% of the UK population takes medication regularly, with the NHS spending £10 billion annually on prescriptions. 40% of adults aged 16+ have at least one long-term condition, increasing their likelihood of polypharmacy and nutrient depletion. Medications can reduce appetite, interfere with absorption, alter metabolism, and increase nutrient excretion, leading to deficiencies that may go unnoticed for months or years. The recent NDNS - 2019 to 2023 report that has just come out in the last few weeks shows that: Folate and Vitamin B12: Folate and B12 are already low, particularly in women, and widely depleted by medications like metformin, SSRIs, oral contraceptives, and PPIs. Iron: NDNS has highlighted iron as a key public health issue, with many failing to meet the RDA, further to that PPIs, SSRIs, aspirin/NSAIDs – are all implicated in iron depletion. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Vitamin D: A large proportion of the population are showing to be low in vitamin D, patients on SSRIs, oral contraceptives, or PPIs may see their status worsened. The Hidden Impact of Common Medicines Collective research over the years shows that medication-induced nutrient depletion is not only underreported but may have far-reaching implications for public health. Phil Beard, qualified nutritionist at Viridian Nutrition highlights some of the major findings 'We've seen research confirm that nutrient losses caused by medications are often clinically significant yet remain unmonitored in standard healthcare practice. Findings suggest that common prescriptions can suppress appetite, interfere with digestion, and disrupt gut microbiota - further compounding nutrient deficiencies. Additionally, there are cumulative risks associated with polypharmacy, particularly among older adults and those with chronic conditions.' Some of the most common medications and associated deficiencies include: Medicine Primary Use Key Nutrient Depletions 1 Atorvastatin/Statins Cholesterol CoQ10, Vitamins A, D, E, K 2 PPIs/Omeprazole Acid reflux Magnesium, B12, Iron, Calcium, Zinc 3 Metformin Type 2 diabetes B12, Folate, CoQ10 4 Diuretics Hypertension Magnesium, Potassium, Calcium, B1 5 SSRIs Antidepressants Folate, B12, Sodium, vitamin D, vitamin A, C, calcium, zinc, CoQ10 6 Beta-blockers Blood pressure CoQ10, Potassium 7 HRT / Oral Contraceptives Hormonal therapy B6, B12, Folate, Vitamin C, E, Zinc, Magnesium 8 Aspirin / NSAIDs Pain relief Folate, Vitamin C, B12, Iron NHS GP Dr Siobhan Brennan urges healthcare professionals and patients to address this issue: Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'It's very important for patients to take ownership and discuss any symptoms with their GP or pharmacist – especially if they appear months or years after starting a medication. With almost half the population taking medication regularly and polypharmacy rising, if we continue to overlook micronutrient depletion, we risk undermining the very treatments patients rely on. Patients can ask for an annual review -incorporating both medication and nutritional assessments - to help prevent avoidable side effects such as fatigue, cognitive decline, and musculoskeletal problems.' New Patient Guidance Available To close the knowledge gap, Dr Siobhan Brennan has collaborated with nutritionists at Viridian to publish Medication + Nutrition - a concise, evidence-based guide linking common medications with their documented nutrient losses and recommended counter measures. The guide is available free of charge from independent health stores. More information is available online at Pharmacist and GP advice: Schedule an annual medication review with your GP or pharmacist. If you have concerns, your GP may organise specific tests to check for deficiencies in key nutrients. You can also do this privately to check nutrients such as iron, Vitamin B12, Vitamin D, magnesium and folate levels. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Visit your local independent health store for supplement advice. Keep a diary to monitor your symptoms and talk about them with your health practitioner and prioritise a wholefood diet rich in varied, colourful plants (aim for 30 different varieties weekly) to maximise nutrient intake. Consider a multivitamin. Although not a substitute for a healthy and varied diet, opting for a clean formulation multivitamin (without fillers, binders and other additives) will provide a good foundation level of core vitamins and minerals. Check with your GP on whether this is right for you.
Express Tribune
2 days ago
- Business
- Express Tribune
RDA officers fail to satisfy probe panel
Senior officers, including the director-general, of the Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) recently failed to satisfy the fact-finding inquiry committee regarding queries involving Rs1.94 billion scandal. The second session of the fact-finding inquiry committee, constituted by the Punjab Chief Secretary to investigate the transfer of Rs1.94b from the RDA bank account to various individuals and companies concluded in Lahore. The third session is scheduled for July 2. Director of Administration and Finance, Sohaib Ahmed Qazi, was designated as the official RDA representative before the inquiry panel. The fact-finding committee, chaired by Mudassir Waheed Malik, Member of the Board of Revenue (Taxes), included Moazzam Supra (Managing Director, Punjab Government Servants Housing Foundation) and Madiha Tahir Shah (Additional Secretary, A&H) as members. On June 25, RDA DG Kinza Murtaza, Director Admin & Finance Sohaib Ahmed Qazi, Deputy Director Iftikhar Janjua, and Assistant Director Waqar Asghar Raja appeared before the committee. The committee reviewed banking records and various documents, and asked several questions. However, the officers failed to provide convincing explanations for key concerns. They were asked why a CDR (Cash Deposit Receipt) system was adopted for bank transactions — allegedly to evade federal income tax, why financial transparency practices were overlooked for over a decade, why departmental audits over the past 10 years failed to uncover these massive fund transfers, and why the DG and Director Finance, being the authorised signatories, didn't regularly check the bank statements. The RDA officials attempted to shift the blame onto a deceased Deputy Director of Finance, a move the committee notably flagged and questioned further. In the upcoming third session on July 2, the committee has summoned two retired officials — Asif Mahmood Janjua, former Director Admin & Finance, and Khawaja Arshad Javed, former Assistant Director. The current RDA representative, Sohaib Ahmed Qazi, was directed to present detailed records of the disputed bank transactions and relevant financial data. It is noteworthy that parallel investigations into this financial scandal are also underway by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) and the Punjab Anti-Corruption Establishment (ACE). The premier accountability watchdog has begun summoning both current and former RDA officials, as well as private individuals and account holders who received funds from the RDA account. On the other hand, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has begun summoning both serving and retired officers of the RDA in connection with the alleged embezzlement in government funds. All former directors of administration and finance who served over the past decade are being called in phases, with summons already issued.
Indian Express
3 days ago
- Health
- Indian Express
‘Becoming a doctor too expensive in Punjab': Doctors want govt to rollback MBBS fee hike, write to CM Mann
The Punjab government's revised fee structure for MBBS and BDS courses in government medical colleges, government society-run institutions, and private health science institutions has met with protests, with many students and junior doctors terming the move 'anti-merit' and 'anti-middle class'. Saying that the fee hike would restrict access to public medical education and disproportionately affect aspirants from rural and low-income families, the Resident Doctors' Association (RDA) has written to Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann demanding a rollback of the new structure, calling for more equitable policies that prioritise accessibility over revenue generation. According to the new structure announced on June 13, the total MBBS course fee in government medical colleges and government society-run institutions (excluding the NRI quota) has been raised to ₹10,98,000 from the 2025–26 academic year. For NRI candidates in government colleges, the full course fee has been fixed at $1,10,000, which is approximately ₹91.3 lakh at the current exchange rate. Dr Milan Preet, joint secretary of Punjab Civil Medical Services Association (PCMSA), Punjab, and advisor to the Resident Doctors' Association (RDA) of Patiala, highlighted growing concerns over stipend disparities for postgraduate medical students in Punjab. 'Becoming a doctor is now too expensive in Punjab. When I became a doctor around 12 years ago, I paid less fee in five years than the stipend I got in Punjab. But since then, the stipend hasn't been substantially increased, whereas the fee has skyrocketed,' said Dr Preet. The year-wise breakdown for the MBBS course is ₹1,92,000 for the first year, ₹2,11,000 for the second year, ₹2,29,000 for the third year, ₹2,49,000 for the fourth year, and ₹1,17,000 for the final six-month term. Dr Raman, president of RDA Patiala, pointed out that in Kerala, government college annual fees range between ₹20,000 and ₹30,000, while private medical colleges there charge less than the government colleges in Punjab. 'The annual fee at private colleges in Kerala is below ₹7 lakh. Now you can understand how expensive medical education is in the state,' he said. In private health sciences institutions under the government quota, the total fee has been set at ₹23,67,000. This includes ₹4,47,000 for the first year, ₹4,90,000 for the second year, ₹5,36,000 for the third year, ₹5,81,000 for the fourth year, and ₹3,13,000 for the final six months. For students under the management quota in private colleges, the fee is significantly higher, totaling ₹62,92,000 for the full course. The annual charges range from ₹11,49,000 in the first year to ₹14,94,000 in the fourth year, with an additional ₹8,05,000 for the final six months. 'Despite performing the same duties and working comparable hours, PG junior residents in Punjab receive a fixed stipend of ₹67,968 per month across all three years, with no linkage to Dearness Allowance (DA),' Dr Preet said. In contrast, he pointed out that states like Haryana, Rajasthan, and Delhi not only offer higher stipends—ranging from ₹85,000 to over ₹1 lakh—but also link them to DA, allowing compensation to adjust with inflation. Dr Raman added that senior residents in Punjab also face a similar gap. 'While states like Delhi pay around ₹1.2 lakh per month and Haryana offers up to ₹1.15 lakh with DA linkage, Punjab's senior residents receive a fixed ₹81,562, which does not reflect current cost-of-living trends,' he said. He further noted that even Himachal Pradesh recently raised its senior residency stipend to ₹1 lakh, leaving Punjab behind in both amount and policy responsiveness. On the financial burden of postgraduate medical education, Dr. Mehtab Singh Bal, press secretary of PCMSA Punjab and RDA Patiala, stated that Punjab remains one of the costliest states for PG students. 'Punjab's lack of DA-linked stipends, combined with one of the highest tuition structures in the country, severely undermines the affordability and attractiveness of medical education in the state. These policy gaps are not just numbers; they directly impact the well-being and choices of young doctors, especially those from rural or economically weaker backgrounds,' Dr Preet said. As per the latest corrigendum issued by the state government, a service bond of ₹20 lakh will apply to MBBS and BDS students admitted under both the State Quota and the All India Quota. The mandated service duration is one year for All India Quota students and two years for State Quota students. Additionally, the government reserves the right to extend the service period at its discretion. 'We don't have much information on how this bond will play out. We are not sure if new doctors will be allowed admission in the post-graduation courses or whether they will be first asked to complete a two-year period. We need more clarity from the government,' said Dr Preet. 'The MBBS tuition fees and the introduction of a mandatory bond policy by the Punjab Government are anti-poor, anti-middle class, and against the vulnerable sections of our society. These policies will deter meritorious students from economically weaker backgrounds from pursuing medicine, pushing them toward private institutions or abroad, thus fueling commercialisation and privatisation of medical education. We view this as a corporate-friendly move that undermines the spirit of affordable public medical education,' the RDA letter stated. The Association has urged the government to consult with student representatives, health professionals, and educators before implementing any changes affecting public medical education. 'We implore the government to focus on strengthening infrastructure and improving stipends, rather than placing financial burdens on students,' wrote RDA in their letter to CM Mann.
