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Time of India
06-07-2025
- Time of India
Chhattisgarh killing accused among 114 barred by BHU
1 2 Varanasi: List of expelled, debarred and suspended students released by Banaras Hindu University annually before commencement of admission season to ensure they were not admitted to any course in the new academic session, includes name of Vinay Dwivedi, arrested by UP STF on Saturday. Apart from killing Chhattisgarh real estate trader Sanjeev Tripathi in 2022, Dwivedi is also accused of killing a student, Gaurav Singh, in 2019. BHU's professor in charge (external communication), Anurag Dave, said before every year, on commencement of admission season, list of students expelled, debarred, or suspended in different cases and issues in past years is released. As per the same routine, deputy registrar (academic) on Jul 4 released a list of 114, asking the university's admission committee not to consider their admissions in any of the courses of BHU during the 2025-26 academic season. All institute directors, deans of faculties, heads of departments, principals of colleges and coordinators of centres and schools have also been given this alert. The list has names of four students, Vinay Kumar Dwivedi (Shastri), Kumar Mangalam Singh (MPEd), Rupesh Tiwari (MA Sanskrit) and Ashutosh Tripathi (MA Philosophy), who were debarred in 2019 after their involvement came to light in the Gaurav Singh murder case. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 2025 Top Trending local enterprise accounting software [Click Here] Esseps Learn More Undo Vinay Dwivedi's accomplices, Mangalam Singh and Vinay, were suspended twice, while Ashutosh Tripathi was suspended by BHU. According to the list, most cases involve students accused of fighting, vandalism and indiscipline. In three cases, students faced action for assaulting and misbehaving with teachers. On Feb 17, at least 15 students faced action for vandalism at the Vice Chancellor's residence, marking the largest single action. Previously, maximum number of students facing action in a year was in 2019, when 10 students were suspended or expelled. The list of barred students includes those caught cheating during exams, including four female students, one of whom was punished for cheating. Another case involves a former research student from English department, accused of obscene behaviour and exploitation of a research student, leading to a ban on his admission. In 2021, Sunil Kumar faced action for illegal sale of Remdesivir injections during Covid-19 menace. Ashutosh Kumar and Amrendra were suspended for causing disorder and disrupting security during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to BHU. Four students were punished in connection with abduction of an ambulance driver. Five students faced action in cases of staging protests, while six students were involved in obscene acts and physical exploitation. Eleven students faced action in an incident involving the proctorial board.
The Hindu
03-07-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Rising out-of-pocket health expenditure: causes and solutions
Kerala's public health system has achieved commendable progress in recent years. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the ability of government hospitals in Kerala to provide excellent care to the vast majority of critically ill patients, with the support of ventilators and expensive medicines such as Remdesivir, stood as a testament to their prowess. Through continuous interventions such as the 1996 People's Planning Campaign, the 2006 development of infrastructure and human resource, the 2016 Aardram Mission, and the subsequent large-scale availability of modern facilities across almost all treatment departments since 2021, the government health sector has made significant strides. As a result, while only 28% of the population sought treatment in government hospitals in the 1990s, this figure has now risen to 35%. Despite many limitations, Kerala also boasts the best-performing health insurance scheme in the country. Yet, why out-of-pocket health expenditure (OOPE) remains exceptionally high in Kerala is a subject that demands serious study and the urgent identification of solutions. According to the National Health Accounts Committee, Kerala is among the States with the highest OOPE incurred directly by the public. The recently published National Health Accounts Report (2021-22) indicates that Kerala's total health expenditure is ₹48,034 crore. Of this, government expenditure is ₹15,618 crore (32.5% of total expenditure; per capita ₹4,338), while private expenditure stands at ₹28,400 crore (59.1% of total expenditure; per capita ₹13,343). A comforting fact is that the percentage of private expenditure has been decreasing — from 76% in 2013-14 to 68.6% in 2018-19, 65.7% in 2020-21, and 59.1% in 2021-22. Concurrently, the percentage of government expenditure has proportionally increased from 24 of the total in 2013-14 (₹6,000 crore) to 32.5 (₹15,618 crore) in 2021-22. However, while these percentages are reassuring, the concurrent increase in per capita private health expenditure from ₹7,636 in 2013-14 to ₹13,343 in 2021-22 cannot be overlooked. The reasons why private health expenditure remains high despite significant improvements in public health systems warrant detailed examination. Some preliminary observations Some preliminary observations are provide the following insight. High disease burden: Kerala is a State with a very high disease burden. The prevalence of non-communicable diseases, infectious diseases, mental illnesses, and physical problems resulting from accidents and subsequent deaths is increasing. The rising number of elderly individuals also significantly contributes to the increased disease burden. A high disease burden naturally drives up healthcare costs. Increased health awareness and health-seeking behaviour: Due to high literacy rates and increased health awareness, Keralites often seek medical attention even for minor ailments. While this is mostly beneficial, it can sometimes lead to unnecessary expenditure. Availability of healthcare services: The presence of both government and private hospitals across rural and urban areas in Kerala makes healthcare services easily accessible, which in turn contributes to increased treatment costs. Compared to other States, these factors are major contributors to the higher private health expenditure in Kerala. Rising treatment costs: The increasing costs of diagnosis and treatment for diseases such as cancer, along with the high costs of newly introduced advanced treatment methods, impose a significant financial burden. Need for long-term treatment: Many diseases require long-term treatment, some even for a lifetime, further escalating the financial burden. Lack of regulation in the private sector: In the private hospital sector, some do not adhere to clear treatment protocols and guidelines, and the absence of any regulation over treatment fees imposes an excessive burden on patients. OP treatment costs: While inpatient treatment in government hospitals and through insurance schemes is often free, the costs for subsequent outpatient (OP) treatment and medicines often have to be borne directly by the public for many diseases over a long period. High cost of medicines: A major reason for the escalating healthcare costs is the exorbitant expenditure on medicines. Ten percent of the medicines produced in India are sold in Kerala, which accounts for merely 3% of the country's population. This amounts to approximately ₹15,000 crore worth of medicines. While the Central government has controlled the prices of many off-patent medicines, this control primarily applies only to single-ingredient drugs. Moreover, about 40% of the medicines sold are Fixed Drug Combinations (FDCs). The prices of FDCs and patented medicines are not regulated. Most advanced medicines used for cancer and other conditions are patented. These are sold at exorbitant prices by patent-holding companies for their 20-year patent duration. Recommendations Considering these circumstances, here are some urgent recommendations to reduce healthcare expenditure. Reduce disease burden: As part of reducing treatment costs, various measures to lower the disease burden must be adopted. Interventions such as health education, disease prevention, health promotion, and early detection and treatment of diseases are essential. Currently, the primary focus is on increasing treatment facilities. Disease prevention must be integrated into the mainstream of health policy. Regulation of private hospitals: To alleviate the excessive financial burden on patients in private hospitals, clear treatment protocols, codes of conduct, and fixed fee structures must be established. These can be incorporated into the Clinical Establishments Act. Medicine price control: To reduce outpatient treatment costs, medicines and other health products must be made available at reasonable prices. The State Health department's decision to provide cancer treatment drugs and post-organ transplant medicines at company prices and to establish more fair-price medical shops is welcome. However, the Central government has the primary role in reducing drug prices. Revitalisation of Central public sector pharmaceutical companies: The Union government should take steps to produce in large-scale essential medicines through Central public sector pharmaceutical companies, making them available free of charge in government hospitals and at affordable prices to the public through fair-price drug stores. Public sector pharmaceutical companies like IDPL and Hindustan Antibiotics, which performed excellently in the past, are now facing closure due to governmental neglect. Considering that high drug prices disproportionately affect Keralites, the State government and political parties should urge the Central government to promptly revive these public sector companies and ensure essential medicines are supplied at moderate prices. Kerala should also demand the application of compulsory licensing under patent law for patented medicines, allowing other drug companies to produce them at lower costs. Alongside adopting temporary measures to reduce healthcare costs, a detailed study for formulating long-term strategies should be initiated immediately with the help of health and economic experts. If appropriate measures are not taken, despite improvements in both private and government health systems, rising healthcare costs could potentially further impoverish economically disadvantaged sections of the population. (The writer is an academic, a neurosurgeon, and a public health expert)
Mint
04-06-2025
- Business
- Mint
India's drug regulator plans overhaul of Schedule H for prescription medicines
New Delhi: Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI), the country's top drug regulator, is planning a complete overhaul of medicines listed under Schedule H of the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945, which governs the sale of prescription drugs, said an official aware of the matter and documents reviewed by Mint. Also Read | Key drugs, diagnostics run short in public health centres, govt raises alarm The proposed revamp is driven by concerns, including a rise in antimicrobial resistance (AMR) from self-medication and rampant use of antibiotics purchased over the counter without prescription, the official said. Schedule H includes drugs that cannot be purchased or sold on retail without a doctor's prescription. This overhaul will involve updating the list of prescription drugs by incorporating new medicines and formulations that have been introduced in the market in the recent past. 'The issue related to making suitable reforms in the drug regulatory system has been in discussion for quite some time now. The exercise is part of India's fight against irrational use of antimicrobial medicines, which are used to prevent and treat infectious diseases in humans, animals and plants, including antibiotics, antivirals, antifungals and antiparasitics," said the official on the condition of anonymity. Also Read | What America has got wrong about gender medicine In 2022, a high-level expert committee was constituted by the health ministry to review and revise Schedule H Drugs to recommend comprehensive changes in the drug regulatory regime to reflect global best practices as well as domestic requirements. Remdesivir, dexamethasone, favipiravir, ivermectin and mebrofenin are some of the drugs that are proposed to be added to Schedule H. Right now, there are around 536 drugs under Schedule H. The committee had discussed the existing regulatory framework in detail and noted that the drugs that are not included in Schedule G, H, H1 and X can be easily sold in the country without prescription of a Registered Medical Practitioner (RMP) and it is 'not in public interest", according to the documents reviewed by Mint. Also Read | ICMR gets a breakthrough in attempts to develop first indigenous Nipah virus medicine 'There are many drugs used for various indications like diabetes, TB, heart disease, pain killers etc which are put in special categories like anti-diabetic, anti-pain relief, anti-depressants, anticoagulant drugs, and cardiovascular drugs of the Drug Rule. However, these drugs should fall in schedule H. So, efforts are being made to streamline this," said the official. The expert panel recommended a revamp of the Schedule H. 'Schedule H includes drugs of various categories which require prescription of RMP for their retail sale. The Schedule H needs to be updated regularly to incorporate the new drugs introduced in the market from time to time as well as to review the prescription status of different drugs in the present context. Such regular updates are crucial in the current context to address various regulatory challenges leading to irrational use of drugs, including antibiotics and development of anti-microbial resistance," the documents showed. Wrong or over-use of these medicines can lead to the emergence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), which is hard to treat and can cause further infections. The committee has proposed more than 700 drugs to be added to the Schedule H drugs list in addition to the existing drugs, as per the documents. The committee also reviewed various aspects of the drugs like their indication, route of administration, international prescription status, abuse or misuse potential, human/ veterinary use, therapeutic/ prophylactic usage etc. When the committee reviewed Schedule G, it opined that drugs mentioned under this list bear caution that 'it is dangerous to take this medicine except under medical supervision". While Schedule G drugs carry a strong caution about medical supervision, the rules governing their sale did not, in the past, explicitly mandate an RMP prescription for every single sale, unlike Schedule H drugs. The committee has recommended the addition of several categories of drugs, namely cardiovascular drugs, neurological drugs, respiratory drugs, anesthetic drugs, antiemetic drugs, immunological drugs, genito-urinary drugs, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, and all sterile formulations of any drug to schedule H.
India Today
30-05-2025
- Health
- India Today
Nipah patient in Kerala declared virus-free, recovering says Health Minister
Kerala Health Minister Veena George on Friday confirmed that the state's sole Nipah virus patient in Malappuram district has tested negative in two consecutive samples and is now considered 42-year-old woman from Ward 2 of Valanchery municipality, who tested positive for Nipah on May 8, was undergoing treatment at EMS Cooperative Hospital in Perinthalmanna.'The patient has been off ventilator support for the past 12 days and is now breathing independently. Internal organs like the liver and kidneys are also functioning normally. Although the patient has not yet regained full consciousness, brain activity is gradually showing signs of improvement," said Health Minister George in an official According to the hospital's intensive care team the MRI scans of the patient are showing healing in areas previously damaged by the virus. Subtle responses to pain and movements in the eyes and jaw have also been were hopeful the patient could be discharged in the coming weeks with full physical and mental recovery, George minister said that the incubation period for the virus has now passed without any new cases being reported. However, support services and helplines will continue for a few more days as a patient continues to be under close observation by a full critical care team at the EMS Cooperative George emphasised that the patient received advanced treatment, including Remdesivir and monoclonal antibodies provided by the Indian Council of Medical Research. "When Nipah first struck Kerala, the fatality rate exceeded 90 per cent. However, since 2021 with use of antiviral drugs and monoclonal antibody treatment, the rate has dropped, falling to 33 per cent in 2023," she by Debosmita Maity Must Watch
Time of India
27-05-2025
- Time of India
Black marketing Remdesivir in Covid: Two get two years in jail
Barwani: A Barwani court on Tuesday sentenced a pharmacist and an agent of a private hospital to two-year imprisonment for black marketing Remdesivir injections during Covid-19 pandemic. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Barwani principal district and sessions judge Mahendra Kumar Jain convicted Vinay Rajak of Sanawad and Rahul Badgujar of Rajpur under Section 53 of Disaster Management Act 2005 and sentenced them to two years of imprisonment and fined them Rs 50,000 each. According to the prosecution, during lockdown period, Barwani police received information that Vinay Rajak, an agent of Gurupad Hospital, was black marketing Remdesivir injections. Acting on this information, the police sent a constable as a customer to Gurupad Hospital. There, Rajak took Rs 25,000 from the constable and brought the injection from the hospital pharmacist, Badgujar, and gave it to him. The police team immediately took both of them into custody and interrogated them. It was revealed that the govt had given two Remdesivir injections to a patient admitted to the hospital. However, after administering one injection, the patient's condition worsened, and he was referred to the trauma centre. Following this, both the accused decided to sell the injections in black instead of depositing them with the govt.
