Justice Mini Pushkarna ruled that public interest in affordable treatment outweighs corporate profits, particularly when the drug is the only available treatment for a rare disease in India. The court held;

"A drug which is the only one available for treatment in India, for a rare disease, its availability to the public at large at very economical and competitive prices, is a material factor which a Court will consider at the time of dealing with an application for interim injunction. Besides, the plaintiffs can be compensated by way of damages. However, there exists no right for the public to lessen or compensate itself.”

Background on Spinal Muscular Atrophy and Risdiplam

SMA is a severe neuromuscular disorder that causes motor neuron degeneration, leading to progressive muscle weakness. It is the leading genetic cause of infant mortality, affecting approximately one in 10,000 live births worldwide and one in 7,744 live births in India.

Until recent advancements, SMA treatment was limited to supportive care. However, Evrysdi (Risdiplam), developed by Roche, became a major breakthrough as the first oral therapy for SMA. Roche launched Evrysdi in India in July 2021, but its high cost remains a significant barrier. The annual treatment cost ranges between Rs 2.2 million to Rs 7.2 million, depending on patient weight and dosage.

With the unaffordability of the treatment, many families have turned to legal petitions seeking assistance for their children's treatment.

Patent Dispute Between Roche and Natco

Roche alleged that Natco Pharma was preparing to commercially manufacture Risdiplam, violating its Indian patent, valid until 2035.

Natco challenged the patent’s validity, arguing that Roche’s original international patent already covered the drug. The company contended that Roche was engaging in "evergreening" by filing a new patent specifically in India to extend its monopoly, despite not initially filing the broader patent.

The Delhi High Court found merit in Natco’s argument, stating that Roche’s patent could be invalidated under various grounds, including:

Anticipation by prior publication (Section 64(1)(e)),

Obviousness (Section 64(1)(f)), and

Misrepresentation (Section 64(1)(j)).

The Court noted that Risdiplam was implicitly covered under Roche’s previous international patent, a fact evident from Roche’s admissions in US, Australian, and Canadian patent filings.

Public Interest Consideration and Patent Injunctions

Justice Pushkarna underscored the importance of public interest in deciding whether an injunction should be granted. Citing Justice Prathiba M Singh's book on Patent Law, the Court reiterated that:

"At the interim stage, the impact of an injunction if granted on the public would also be considered by the Court. In addition to the three conditions for grant of injunctions, a fourth factor, i.e., public interest, has also been applied in few patent cases."

The court referenced past Delhi High Court rulings, where injunctions were denied for life-saving cancer drugs due to high pricing and limited access.

Justice Pushkarna stated:

“The approved drug, i.e., Risdiplam, which is marketed under the name Evrysdi, is not available at reasonably affordable prices in India. Thus, if a party is able to manufacture the drug and make it available at an affordable price, in such a case, the public interest would have to outweigh the need for grant of injunction.”

Since SMA has no cure, and Risdiplam (Evrysdi) is the only approved treatment in India, the court ruled that denying an injunction would ensure wider access to treatment, while Roche could still seek damages if it eventually won the case.

The Court concluded:

“A drug which is the only one available for treatment in India, for a rare disease, its availability to the public at large at very economical and competitive prices, is a material factor which a Court will consider at the time of dealing with an application for interim injunction. Besides, the plaintiffs can be compensated by way of damages. However, there exists no right for the public to lessen or compensate itself.”

To view the original order, click on the link below:

https://medicaldialogues.in/pdf_upload/rochevsnatco-1-280226.pdf

As spring breakers this season continue to head south into warmer territory, mosquitoes are posing a health risk that calls for extra attention.

Global cases of dengue fever are on the rise, says the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) — and it's warning of an uptick in U.S. travelers.

The agency released a Health Alert Network advisory on March 18 noting that dengue activity and transmission "remain high" in some parts of the U.S. and globally, including the U.S. territories of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

DENGUE FEVER: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE MOSQUITO-BORNE ILLNESS SWEEPING JAMAICA

"Spring and summer travel coincide with the peak season for dengue in many countries, increasing the risk of both travel-associated and locally acquired cases in the United States," the CDC wrote.

The CDC has marked dengue fever as a level 1 health alert, urging the public to "practice usual precautions."

This includes avoiding mosquito bites by using an EPA-registered insect repellent, wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants when outdoors, and sleeping in a room that has air conditioning or screened windows.

Many countries have reported a "higher-than-usual" number of dengue cases in 2024 and 2025, the CDC noted.

TIGER MOSQUITOES BLAMED FOR SPREAD OF DENGUE FEVER: ‘MOST INVASIVE SPECIES’

The following countries have also reported higher-than-expected numbers of dengue cases among American travelers returning to U.S. soil: Brazil, Burkina Faso, Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador, Fiji, French Polynesia, Guadeloupe, Guatemala, Iran, Mexico, Pakistan, Panama, Philippines, Saint Lucia and Sudan.

Dengue fever is a virus spread through bites from an infected mosquito. 

It is common in the Americas, Africa, the Middle East, Asia and the Pacific Islands, among other countries, according to the CDC.

TRAVEL HOT SPOT SEEKS EMERGENCY DECLARATION OVER MASSIVE BUG INFESTATION

In 2024, more than 13 million cases were reported in North, Central and South America, as well as in the Caribbean.

Local transmission of these outbreaks was reported in California, Texas and Florida last year.

Typical symptoms include aches and pains (in the eyes, muscles, joints, or bones), nausea, vomiting and rash — usually experienced within two weeks of being bitten.

Most people experience symptoms for two to seven days before recovering.

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"It’s typically a more mild illness, but can be severe, causing headaches, joint pain, fever, abdominal pain and even death," Dr. Mark Fischer, regional medical director of International SOS, a leading medical and security services company, previously told Fox News Digital. 

There is not currently any medication to treat dengue, according to the CDC. 

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Infected people are advised to rest, take acetaminophen for pain and fever, stay hydrated and see a doctor.

There is a vaccine available for U.S. children between 9 and 16 years of age who have previously tested positive for dengue and are living in areas where the infection is common.

Fox News Digital’s Melissa Rudy contributed reporting.

View the full post Pharmacognosist endorses Grenada Syrup to promote health-conscious cocktails on NOW Grenada.

While TB cases continue to rise in the Americas, new innovations promise improvements in early diagnosis and treatment

Cristina Mitchell

24 Mar 2025

Santo Domingo—During epidemiological week 10, the Ministry of Public Health and the General Directorate of Epidemiology (Digepi) reported three new confirmed malaria cases, bringing the total accumulated since the beginning of this year, 2025, to 82.

22.8% of the reported cases correspond to citizens of Haitian nationality, so health authorities announced that they had renewed the focus on the active search for cases, especially in migrant communities and settlements of agricultural workers on farms.

“The intensification of community-based febrile case detection strategies is one of the key actions within the strategic efforts to achieve the goal of malaria elimination in the country,” the document highlights.

Of the 82 confirmed tests, 64 were in San Juan, 16 in Azua, and two in Santo Domingo.

As for the patients with probable symptoms, the authorities indicate that, after the report of 298 incidents, the total number of suspected cases increased to 4,587.

The bite of the Anopheles mosquito transmits malaria.

Dengue
Between March 2 and 8, 27 suspected cases of dengue were reported in the country, but no new confirmed cases were reported.

The cumulative number up to week 10 is 404 suspected cases and 31 confirmed cases.

Compared to the same period in 2024, there was a 93% decrease in suspected cases and a 95.24% decrease in confirmed cases, reflecting a significant reduction in the incidence of the disease transmitted by the Aedes aegypti mosquito.

Leptospirosis
Public Health and Digepi reported four suspected cases of leptospirosis, with no new laboratory confirmations.

The accumulated number of suspected cases is 103, and 16 have been confirmed cases. Of the cases, 33.98% are of Haitian nationality, and 66.02% are Dominican.

The Ministry of Health says it continues to reinforce key disease control strategies, such as rodent control and sanitation measures.

These include improving access to safe drinking water, reducing exposure to stagnant water, and promoting good hygiene practices. Animal vaccination campaigns are also being carried out, especially in areas where livestock can be a reservoir for Leptospira bacteria.

Cholera and diphtheria
Up to epidemiological week 10, no suspected cholera cases have been reported in the country, representing a 100% reduction compared to the same period last year, when 106 records were documented.

Regarding diphtheria, Public Health reported one probable case corresponding to a child between five and nine years of age who lived in the municipality of San Ignacio de Sabaneta.

So far this year, the accumulated number of cases is four.

Respiratory Viruses

Respiratory viruses continue to circulate in the country. (EXTERNAL SOURCE)
In Epidemiological Week 10, the circulation of influenza A (H1N1) pdm 09, influenza B Victoria, and parainfluenza viruses was detected. Throughout the year, authorities have observed the presence of a respiratory syncytial virus, metapneumovirus 1, 2, and 3, influenza A (H3N2), adenovirus, and Sars-CoV-2.

Public Health emphasizes the importance of preventive measures such as frequent hand washing, using masks with flu-like symptoms, avoiding self-medication, maintaining ventilated spaces, and going to the health center in case of fever or discomfort.

Maternal and infant deaths
In this new bulletin, two maternal deaths were reported, corresponding to women between 20 and 29 years of age, both of Dominican origin.

The accumulated figure up to week 10 is 33 deaths, which represents a decrease of 19 % to 2024 when 41 were reported.

With 22 new deaths, the total number of infant deaths rises to 337.

Of neonatal deaths, authorities reported 20 deaths, a total of 302 since the beginning of 2025.

A ripped NYPD detective who is becoming a social media sensation for his grueling nightly workouts wants to inspire police across the nation to get in shape.

Eddie Barrett, 35, known as "50Cal" to his hundreds of thousands of followers, recently told Fox News Digital he has never taken a day off from training in 21 years — and said there are no excuses for his colleagues to not be physically fit in the line of duty. (See the video at the top of this article.)

The married father wants his daily vlogs to show police officers that they can juggle work and family life while also making time for the gym.

JILLIAN MICHAELS REVEALS SIMPLE WORKOUT TO EXTEND YOUR LIFESPAN 'UP TO 7 YEARS'

On his workdays, Barrett wakes up at midnight and heads outside for an ice bath. 

He then drives an hour to the Bronx, where he works with the NYPD's warrant department, a highly specialized unit that rounds up dangerous criminals wanted for serious crimes.

But before Barrett punches in, the 6'1" detective hits the gym to pump iron and pound the treadmill.

He then works his regular police shift — from around 3:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. — before driving home, spending quality time with his family and typically getting to sleep no later than 8 p.m.

On weekends, Barrett gets up at around 3 a.m. and hits the ice bath before working out at his purpose-built home gym so he can free up the rest of the day for time with his family.

And if he’s on vacation, as he was recently in the Cayman Islands, Barrett will pound the sandy beaches in the dead of night with a torchlight strapped to his head — and that’s before his gym session.

"Getting my training in is of utmost priority — my wife thinks I'm crazy, people think I'm crazy, but I've been doing this for 21 years," Barrett told Fox News Digital. 

"And it not only sets the standard for the day, especially first thing in the morning, but it's just become who I am. It's just me. No matter where I am, what time I gotta wake up, or whatever I have going on — I will train."

Barrett uploads daily videos of his morning routine and workouts to social media, offering words of motivation to his loyal followers.

His goal is to inspire others — police in particular — to get in shape so they can be faster and stronger.

STAY FIT IN YOUR 40S AND BEYOND WITH THESE SMART WORKOUT TIPS

"If [a suspect] wants to run or wants to fight, they will lose, because you’ve trained hard to be at a higher level than them," Barrett told Fox News Digital. "We’ve got to constantly work for that, because that can decide whether we go home safe or if we get hurt or God forbid something worse happens."

Said Barrett recently on Instagram in a video that shows him doing sprints before work, "Think you can run from the warrant squad? Think again."

Barrett said he recommends hybrid training, a fitness approach that involves integrating strength training with cardiovascular exercises. 

The detective often mixes extremely heavy weight-lifting with long or short runs, as well as high-intensity workouts. 

While Barrett said he doesn't expect other first responders to mimic his stringent routine, he emphasizes the importance of finding the time to be fit for duty. He noted that some police agencies are lowering fitness standards to help plug recruitment gaps.

"You want to have an appearance and a level of confidence in your fitness that demands respect and that always plays in your favor," Barrett added.

Getting out of bed early is less complicated than people think, according to Barrett.

"Some days are harder than others, right? You just can't give yourself a second option ever," he said. "We know what we have to do in life. And life is very short. The days fly by."

He added, "We have to be the best versions of ourselves, and there's so much to accomplish in life … And if you don't give yourself that second option, there is no snooze button. There is no scrolling on social media."

The detective does some "mind tricks" in the morning to help him get up, like counting down from three or saying a short prayer.

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"Get your mind going. It makes you think. It makes your brain function. You get that cool plunge. You do things that are difficult first thing in the morning, and before you know it, you're rocking and rolling," Barrett said.

Barrett said his goal is to have a lifelong career on the force, following in the footsteps of his late grandfather, who served as a police officer in New Jersey.

Today, Barrett proudly wears his grandfather’s police badge as a necklace.

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During the interview, Barrett’s young son, Henry, noted that he also wants to follow the family’s policing tradition.

"I feel like I live the best life. I really love my life and I tell people even in today's crazy climate … being a cop is a great job," Det. Barrett said. "I encourage everybody that's thinking about it: Go for it."

The detective said his strict fitness discipline is what helps him balance his training, work and family life, as well as his own supplements business.

While he wants to sustain his fitness level for as long as possible, Barrett emphasized that family always comes first, and that he cherishes the support he gets from his wife and his father, who lives with them.

"The memories we gather with our families are the most important things in the world," Barrett said. "And recently, I've come to accept that business might not grow as fast, my fitness might not get to the level I want it to, because I would never sacrifice my time with my family."

Barrett urged others, not just law enforcement members, to develop their own core principles and continue to work hard every day.

"There's so much out there for the taking in life, and if you don't get out there and do it, life is just going to pass us all by," he added.

"You're going to be amazed at what you can accomplish."

The Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) has firmly rejected claims circulating on social media that it is facing a blood supply crisis, insisting that current stocks remain “within required minimum levels”.

The hospital issued a statement on Friday addressing reports that alleged that the QEH had only 77 units of blood available and had been forced to outsource blood testing to the private sector due to shortages.

“The hospital is not facing a crisis, nor are we on the verge of running out of blood supplies,” the QEH insisted, adding that while “blood availability fluctuates based on patient needs, our team is actively managing supplies to ensure continued patient care”.

The statement also addressed concerns about laboratory testing capabilities, explaining that a “temporary reduction in reagent stock for one specific serological test (HTLV-1)” had been “swiftly identified, and the necessary resources have already arrived”.

According to the QEH, there has been “no interruption to blood testing or collection services” and the temporary outsourcing of some laboratory operations was described as “a proactive measure related to remedial cleaning efforts” rather than a response to any crisis.

The hospital emphasised that “at no point has this led to an inability to conduct critical testing” and encouraged eligible Barbadians to “continue donating blood to support our healthcare system”.

In its statement, the QEH urged the public to seek accurate information and avoid unnecessary panic, reaffirming its commitment to providing high-quality care to patients. (BT/PR)

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