New hope for rare disease patients: Rs 900-cr govt project to get high-value drugs at lower rates in works
India has 8.4 to 19 crore rare disease patients, according to health ministry estimates. But current beneficiaries in most cases are kids or those who need relatively less expensive drugs. Key Points
ThePrintrare Disease Day 2024: Date, history and significance
Rare Disease Day 2024: It is important to create awareness about rare diseases. The special day is observed on the last day of February. | Health Key Points
Hindustan TimesVietnam should seize a rare opportunity to take on China
Over the past decade, Vietnam has built a beachhead in manufacturing, ranging from cars to electronics. Computers and accessories are now the largest export, surpassing textiles and footwear. Key Points
Economic TimesKazakhstan can meet India's demands for rare-earths
Kazakhstan, with its 15 rare earth deposits, aims to cooperate with international partners to harness the ample opportunities in these strategically important components of electronics and clean energy technology. India, seeking rare earth deposits closer to home, recently secured a deal with Argentina. Demand for rare earth metals is expected to grow significantly, with estimates suggesting three to seven times higher demand by 2040. Key Points
Economic Timesrare Rabbit: How a brand lured stylish men and hopped to $300 mn valuation
Rare Rabbit has tapped into men's growing interest in trying out different clothing styles. Pulkit Verma, head of ecommerce and digital marketing at rare Rabbit, mentioned to ET a few years ago that they noticed more men wearing floral clothing, indicating a shift in corporate dressing becoming less formal. Tata has engaged in discussions with rare Rabbit and is currently conducting a thorough evaluation after presenting a term sheet to potentially invest $40 million. Key Points
Economic Times
rare white deer spotted in UP's wildlife sanctuary, netizens call it 'awesome'
IFS Akash Deep Badhawan piqued netizens interest by posting a picture of a rare albino deer on Twitter. Take a look at the picture inside. | Trending Key Points
Hindustan Timesrare disease: Causes, signs and symptoms, treatment, who should get tested
Rare diseases are a serious public health concern in India, with an estimated burden of about 80 to 96 million cases reported annually. Moreover, 70-80% of rare diseases are of genetic nature and thus are asymptomatic. Here are their causes, signs, symptoms and treatment | Health Key Points
Hindustan TimesFirst 4 made-in-India drugs for rare diseases launched, 4 more in pipeline, announces govt
All drugs used for treating rare diseases were so far being imported & were prohibitively expensive. Health ministry says new drugs will bring down costs by up to 100-fold. Key Points
ThePrintDangal actor Suhani Bhatnagar suffered from dermatomyositis: Know all about it
Dangal actor Suhani Bhatnagar died on February 16. She suffered from a rare disease called dermatomyositis, that causes muscle weakness and skin rash. Key Points
India Today5 extremely rare animals that left the world stunned
These five astonishingly unusual animal finds might leave you stunned. Take a look at them here. | Trending Key Points
Hindustan Times
All about two rare Covid-19 vaccine side effects detected in a study
Two new extremely rare side effects of Covid-19 vaccine have been uncovered by a recent study. Here's all you want to know. | Health Key Points
Hindustan TimesAre we entering the era of personalised medicine?
The Human Genome Project was supposed to lead to personalised medicine tailored to our DNA. It's finally happening, but it is proving more difficult than anyone could have imagined. Key Points
BBCIndia records its first-ever confirmed sighting of a rare Tibetan Brown Bear
The rare bear was caught on a camera trap installed by Sikkim Forest Department and WWF-India. This discovery adds another subspecies to animal diversity. | Trending Key Points
Hindustan Times'Very, very rare': Alabama woman, with double uterus, pregnant in both
Kelsey Hatcher, a woman in central Alabama, born with two uterus, is pregnant in both. Doctors treating her have called it a "very, very rare case". Key Points
India TodayUS: Brain-eating amoeba kills 2-year-old in Nevada. Check symptoms, key details
A 2-year-old boy in Nevada died from a rare brain infection caused by the Naegleria fowleri amoeba. Naegleria fowleri infections are rare, but they are often fatal. There is no known cure, and treatment is typically supportive. Key Points
Economic Times
Despite help from Centre, patients with rare diseases, kin continue to suffer
Rare diseases are lifelong conditions. Approximately 95 per cent of them have no approved treatment. In cases where drugs are available, they are prohibitively exorbitant. Fakir, who earns less than Rs 10,000 per month, says his son's treatment costs Rs 30 lakh per annum. Key Points
The Indian Expressrare brain infection caused by free-living amoebae detected in 5-year-old from Kerala’s Malappuram
The disease was earlier reported in coastal Alappuzha district in the state in 2023 and 2017. A case of a rare brain infection caused by a free-living amoebae... Key Points
The Tribune IndiaGovt exempts import duty on drugs, food for special medical purposes for personal use to treat rare diseases
The import duty waiver will come into effect from April 1.Also, the government has exempted Pembrolizumab (Keytruda), used in treatment of various cancers, from basic customs duty. Key Points
FinancialexpressFabry disease: Advocacy group seeks Health Ministry's intervention
Patients of Fabry disease in India are calling for equal recognition under the National Policy for rare Diseases 2021. Advocacy group, Lysosomal Storage Disorders Society of India, have urged Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya to provide guidelines for CoEs to treat all notified disease conditions, including Fabry disease. The rare disease is caused by enzyme deficiencies affecting the functionality of the heart and kidneys, with the diagnosis rate remaining low due to low awareness. Key Points
Economic TimesIndia braces for twin storms: Cyclone Tej in Arabian Sea, Hamoon in Bay of Bengal
'Tej' and 'Hamoon', the twin cyclones, are taking form in the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal respectively. The simultaneous occurrence of these storms is a rare phenomenon, previously observed in 2018. Key Points
India Today
PM Modi thanks US govt for returning over 100 rare, ancient Indian artefacts
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday expressed his gratitude to the US government for returning over 100 rare and ancient artefacts to India. A few days ago, social media was abuzz with the news that America had returned over 100 rare and ancient artefacts to India. These artefacts are anywhere between 250 and 2500 years old. These rare and precious items belong to different regions of the country, PM Modi said during the 103rd episode of his monthly radio broadcast - 'Mann Ki Baat' - on Sunday. Key Points
Economic TimesThree children die from brain-eating amoeba in Kerala: What is it?
Kerala has seen multiple child deaths from an infection caused by the brain-eating amoeba, Naegleria fowleri, with three out of four diagnosed cases being fatal in the past two months. Awareness and preventive measures are crucial to combat this rare but deadly threat. Key Points
India TodayOn Big Bull’s first death anniversary, Mrs Jhunjhunwala takes stock
After Rakesh Jhunjhunwala passed away in August 2022, Forbes declared his spouse as one of the richest women in the country with a net worth of $5.7 bn. | Mumbai news Key Points
Hindustan Timesrare Northern lights witnessed in Ladakh; not an 'air glow', confirms Hanle sources
The colourful “curtains” of dazzling aurora light are actually billions of charged particles moving into space at ultra-high speeds, some reaching up to 3 million kilometres per hour. When they arrive in the direction of Earth, they cause a disturbance in the Earth's magnetic field and enable us to see the aurora lights. Key Points
Economic TimesWhy we should get serious about mining critical minerals for clean energy
The mining of rare earth elements is highly competitive due to limited global reserves and growing demand from clean energy technologies and electronics. This competition exacerbates geopolitical tensions. Environmental concerns and complexities of extraction pose additional challenges to ensuring sustainable access to these resources. Key Points
Economic Times
Explainer: Why has AstraZeneca recalled Covid-19 vaccine
Company’s Covid vaccine is sold as Covishield in India and Vaxzevria in Europe. In a significant move, pharma giant AstraZeneca has recalled its Covid-19... Key Points
The Tribune IndiaWhat is Dermatomyositis? Know about the rare inflammatory condition that claimed ‘Dangal’ star Suhani Bhat
Bhatnagar was being treated at the AIIMS hospital, Delhi. She was admitted on February 7 and passed away on February 16, from several complications. The actress is best known for her luminous portrayal of the younger version of wrestler Babita Phogat in the 2016 blockbuster 'Dangal'. Key Points
Economic TimesNew island emerges as volcano erupts off Japan
Tokyo: An undersea volcano erupted off Japan three weeks ago, providing a rare view of the birth of a tiny new island, but experts say it may not last very long. Located about 1 km off the southern coast of Iwo Jima, which Japan calls Ioto, started its eruptions on October 21. By early November, it Key Points
The Tribune IndiaI was diagnosed with scleroderma and was given 5 years to live. I am celebrating with lavish birthday parties 17 years later.
I received a diagnosis of scleroderma and was given 5 years to live. Seventeen years later, I created a lavish birthday party to celebrate my life and resiliency. Key Points
InsiderFather of girl who was raped, burned in coal furnace tries to jump into her pyre
The father of the 14-year-old girl, whose charred remains were found at a coal furnace in Rajasthan’s Bhilwara, tried to jump onto the funeral pyre of his daughter. He was injured and rushed to a hospital and is out of danger. Key Points
India Today
GST exemption on medicines for rare diseases is unlikely to provide any relief to those in need: Health ac
The recent GST exemption on medicines for rare diseases in India is unlikely to help many patients as the drugs are still too expensive, say health activists. Activists say they had hoped for a tax exemption for medicines already approved by India's drug regulator and available locally. With patient requests for exemption for Indian medicines, the Supreme Court acknowledged that the health ministry must decide but Indian GST exemption on medicines remains pending. Key Points
Economic TimesSawan 2023: When is Shravan? Find why this year is special, the rare coincidence after 19 years and Sawan Somwar dates
The festival of Sawan or Shravan will begin on July 4 and continue till August 31. This year is extra special because of a rare occurrence after 19 years. Key Points
Hindustan TimesIsraeli military says gunman kills 2 soldiers along Egyptian border
Israel and Egypt signed a peace agreement in 1979 and maintain close security ties. Fighting along their shared border is rare. | World News Key Points
Hindustan Times