分类： health

The World Health Organization (WHO) has called on India to intensify its efforts to prevent the sale of toxic cough syrup, despite acknowledging some advancements in the country’s pharmaceutical regulations. This comes after at least 24 children died from consuming Coldrif cough syrup, produced by Sresan Pharma, which contained diethylene glycol at levels nearly 500 times the permissible limit. The tragedy follows a global pledge made two years ago to tighten safety measures after similar incidents linked to Indian and Indonesian-made syrups claimed the lives of over 300 children worldwide. Rutendo Kuwana, WHO’s team lead for substandard and falsified medicines, noted that while India has introduced a new rule requiring export medicines to be tested for contaminants like diethylene and ethylene glycol, no such regulation exists for domestically sold syrups—a significant regulatory gap. Kuwana emphasized that India’s pharmaceutical market is vast, with tens of thousands of manufacturers and multiple states to oversee, making enforcement a complex challenge. Recent reports suggest India plans to scrap the export testing rule once companies upgrade their facilities to international standards by year-end. However, the WHO has stressed that medicines should be tested at every stage of production, not just the final product. Kuwana also highlighted a lack of accountability for previous incidents, describing it as a ‘big disappointment’ that no one has been jailed in India despite the deaths abroad. ‘This is not just selling fake shoes,’ he said. ‘It’s a moral issue, but if you don’t follow the rules, it’s criminal, because it has devastating consequences.’

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) remain the leading cause of death among women worldwide, responsible for nearly 30% of female fatalities—twice the number caused by cancer. Despite this, heart disease in women is often under-recognized, under-diagnosed, and under-treated, largely due to the misconception that it predominantly affects men. In the UAE, medical experts are highlighting the atypical symptoms women may experience during a heart attack, urging greater awareness and timely intervention.

China has made a groundbreaking advancement in the global fight against hepatitis B by approving the world’s first domestically developed drug designed to achieve a functional cure for the chronic liver infection. The drug, named Pegbing, was developed by Amoytop Biotech, a company based in Xiamen, Fujian province. According to a recent notice from the National Medical Products Administration, Pegbing is approved for use in combination with antiviral medication to achieve sustained clearance of the hepatitis B surface antigen in adults with chronic hepatitis B. This approval marks the first time a drug aimed at achieving a functional cure for hepatitis B has received market authorization globally, heralding a new era in the battle against the viral infection. Hepatitis B affects approximately 254 million people worldwide and is responsible for over 1 million deaths annually. In China alone, there are about 75 million chronic hepatitis B patients. A functional cure for hepatitis B is defined as the sustained loss of the hepatitis B surface antigen after treatment ends, contrasting with conventional therapies that suppress viral replication but do not eliminate the virus entirely. Data from the Chinese Foundation for Hepatitis Prevention and Control indicates that more than 92 percent of liver cancer cases in China are caused by hepatitis B infection. The incidence of liver cancer can be reduced to 10.7 percent among patients receiving antiviral treatment, compared with nearly 15 percent among those who do not. For those who achieve a clinical cure, the rate drops to just 1 percent. ‘Such a significant difference underscores the critical importance of achieving clinical cure for hepatitis B patients,’ the foundation stated. In a clinical trial evaluating the efficacy and safety of Pegbing combined with antiviral treatment, 31.4 percent of patients achieved a clinical cure 24 weeks after discontinuing all medications, a rate significantly higher than that observed in patients following conventional treatment regimens. According to an action plan released last month by the National Disease Control and Prevention Administration and eight other government departments, China aims to raise the antiviral treatment rate for newly reported cases to at least 80 percent by 2030. The plan also emphasized intensified efforts in innovative drug research and development and the exploration of new solutions for the functional cure of hepatitis B.

In a remarkable medical breakthrough, a 25-week-old foetus weighing just 800 grams underwent a successful fetoscopic surgery to repair spina bifida while still in the mother’s womb. The procedure, performed at Sheikh Khalifa Medical City (SKMC) in Abu Dhabi, lasted 90 minutes and utilised a minimally invasive technique involving a tiny camera and miniature instruments inserted through three small incisions in the mother’s abdomen and uterus. Spina bifida, a congenital condition where the spine and spinal cord fail to develop properly, can lead to severe neurological complications and long-term disabilities if left untreated. The surgery, part of Abu Dhabi’s Visiting Physicians Programme, aimed to correct the defect prenatally, significantly improving the baby’s chances of walking independently and leading a healthier life. The procedure’s precision and minimal invasiveness ensured a faster recovery for the mother and preserved the uterine environment, allowing the pregnancy to continue safely until the planned delivery date. This milestone underscores Abu Dhabi’s growing reputation as a global healthcare hub, driven by innovation and collaboration with international medical experts. Dr Adel Ali Al Junaibi, Consultant Paediatric Surgeon at SKMC, emphasised the long-term benefits of prenatal repair, stating that early intervention reduces the risk of paralysis and the need for multiple surgeries post-birth. Dr Werner Gerhard Diehl, Consultant in Fetal Medicine at Seha Corniche Hospital, highlighted the complexity of the procedure, which requires meticulous planning, advanced training, and a multidisciplinary approach. The Foetal Medicine Centre at Seha Corniche Hospital has performed over 500 therapeutic interventions, achieving outcomes that meet global standards and positioning the UAE as a leader in foetal care.

Sichuan Province has reported its first-ever case of HIV-2, a rare strain of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) that is uncommon in China. The case was identified in a 67-year-old woman from Meishan city, who initially tested positive for HIV in January 2025. Advanced confirmatory testing and genetic sequencing later revealed the infection to be caused by HIV-2, as detailed in a study published in the Chinese Journal of AIDS & STD. HIV is categorized into two types: HIV-1 and HIV-2. While HIV-1 is more globally prevalent and highly pathogenic, HIV-2 is less transmissible and progresses more slowly. This discovery underscores the importance of vigilant monitoring and advanced diagnostic techniques in identifying rare viral strains. Health authorities are now focusing on understanding the transmission pathways and implementing targeted prevention measures to curb the spread of this less common variant.

In a landmark decision, Japan has approved the over-the-counter (OTC) sale of an emergency contraceptive pill, marking a significant shift in the country’s approach to reproductive health. ASKA Pharmaceutical, the manufacturer of the pill, announced that the medication, branded as Norlevo, will now be accessible without a prescription, empowering women to take control of their reproductive choices. While a specific launch date remains undisclosed, the pill will be classified as ‘medicine requiring guidance,’ necessitating that women take it under the supervision of a pharmacist. This development aligns Japan with over 90 countries where such pills are already available without a prescription. The decision follows years of advocacy by rights groups, who argued that prescription requirements deterred younger women and rape victims from accessing timely contraception. A health ministry panel first discussed OTC sales in 2017, with public consultations revealing widespread support. However, concerns about potential misuse delayed approval until now. Norlevo, and its generic counterpart levonorgestrel, are most effective within 72 hours of unprotected intercourse, with an efficacy rate of 80%. This move is seen as a step forward in addressing Japan’s conservative views on abortion and women’s reproductive rights, rooted in traditional patriarchal norms.

Dr. Aydah Alawadhi, a trailblazing Emirati oncologist, has transformed her career into a humanitarian mission, inspired by a poignant encounter with a young patient. Now the head of the Oncology and Hematology Department at Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City (SSMC) in Abu Dhabi, Dr. Alawadhi’s journey began with a moment that reshaped her life. During her training in the emergency department, she met a young woman who had delayed seeking medical care due to her discomfort with male doctors. The patient’s plea, ‘If only you were an oncologist,’ resonated deeply with Dr. Alawadhi, who vowed to dedicate her life to cancer care. This encounter not only defined her career but also instilled in her a profound belief that every cancer patient deserves compassion, support, and hope. Dr. Alawadhi’s achievements extend beyond her clinical role. She heads the Scientific Committee and the Breast Cancer Working Group at the Emirates Oncology Society and serves on the Gulf Oncology Society Committee. Despite the UAE’s advancements in breast cancer diagnosis and treatment, she emphasizes the ongoing need for awareness about early detection, as many women still hesitate to seek medical help. Dr. Alawadhi credits her family for their unwavering support, particularly her husband, who stood by her through the emotional and professional challenges of her career. Balancing her demanding profession with motherhood, she underscores the importance of work-life balance, finding solace in travel, nature, and time with loved ones. Dr. Alawadhi’s story is a testament to resilience, empathy, and the transformative power of a single moment.