In a bid to stem the alarming opioid crisis, India's apex drug regulator plans an overhaul of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act to sharply raise punishments and fines that would deter illegal diversion of habit-forming pharmaceutical opioids , according to two government officials in the know and documents reviewed by Mint . The move could materially tighten oversight across India's $50 billion pharmaceuticals market, even as industry stakeholders urge caution on the plan. The proposal by the Drugs Controller Ge ...

Investment Rating - The report does not provide a specific investment rating for the industry Core Insights - The Namibia Essential Medicines List (NEMList) is a critical document for ensuring the availability and accessibility of essential medicines in Namibia, aimed at improving public health outcomes [10][12][19] - The seventh edition of the NEMList reflects updates based on current clinical evidence, morbidity patterns, and treatment standards, ensuring that it remains relevant to the healthcare needs of the population [13][30] - A total of 298 items were deleted from the NEMList, including 41 antineoplastics, to align with the Standard Treatment Guidelines (STGs) focused on primary healthcare [31][32] - The introduction of the NiMART category replaces the previous IMAI-R category, allowing for better management of antiretroviral therapy at designated health facilities [32][56] Summary by Sections How to Use the Seventh Edition of the NEMList - The NEMList contains essential pharmaceutical items selected to meet the healthcare needs of the Namibian population at an affordable cost [29] - The document is structured to facilitate easy navigation and understanding of the essential medicines available [34][35] Restricted Use Classification - The NEMList includes categories for Restricted Use (R) and NiMART items, which require specific control measures and monitoring to prevent misuse [56][60] - NiMART items are available at designated health centers and require trained staff for their administration [56][58] The Namibian Essential Medicines List - The NEMList is organized according to therapeutic groups, allowing healthcare providers to easily identify necessary medications [67] - Each medicine is classified based on its availability and importance, guiding procurement and prescribing practices [21][24] Annexes - The annexes provide forms and guidelines for requesting changes to the NEMList and STGs, streamlining the process for healthcare professionals [25][54]