IIM Ahmedabad, Novo Nordisk India sign MoU to address obesity and strengthen healthcare systems
Novo Nordisk's Wegovy, the blockbuster weight loss drug, debuts in India
Under the agreement, the two institutions will co-develop programmes across three key areas — health system capacity building, policy advocacy, and health economics. The collaboration will involve the development of model frameworks for obesity clinics, creation of educational content for healthcare professionals and stakeholders, and formulation of data-backed public health policies.
IIM Ahmedabad welcomes 2025–27 PGP batch of 414 students
Additionally, the initiative will include research projects that study the economic impact of obesity on individual health, workforce productivity, and the broader healthcare system and economy.
The partnership outlines plans for joint research activities, including publication of papers in collaboration with government bodies, conducting pilot outreach programmes, and evaluating the role of telemedicine in managing NCDs in underserved areas. These initiatives aim to generate actionable insights to support both policy-level changes and improvements in healthcare delivery.
In its statement, the institute said that the IIMA Endowment Fund (IIMAEF), which facilitates partnerships and philanthropic engagement, played a key role in shaping this collaboration. The fund supports initiatives that align with the institute's objective of using academic and research capabilities to address societal challenges, including public health.
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By integrating educational, corporate, and research resources, the partnership aims to contribute towards developing scalable healthcare models for NCD management, with obesity as a central focus. The effort is intended to support long-term improvements in health outcomes and policy-making in India.
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Time of India
11 hours ago
- Time of India
US lawmakers press FDA to target knockoff weight-loss drugs
Dozens of lawmakers are urging US health regulators to crack down on the booming market for knockoff weight-loss drugs amid mounting concerns over their potential safety risks. On Friday, a group of more than 80 bipartisan lawmakers asked the US Food and Drug Administration to stop counterfeit and copycat versions of GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy and Zepbound from flooding the market-a problem that emerged over the last year. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Please select course: Select a Course Category Cybersecurity MCA Data Science Degree Leadership PGDM Public Policy Operations Management others Others Product Management healthcare Digital Marketing MBA Technology Project Management CXO Finance Artificial Intelligence Healthcare Data Analytics Management Design Thinking Data Science Skills you'll gain: Duration: 10 Months MIT xPRO CERT-MIT xPRO PGC in Cybersecurity Starts on undefined Get Details "We are concerned about recent reports revealing a surge in illegal and counterfeit anti-obesity medications," they wrote in a letter to FDA commissioner Marty Makary. "Undoubtedly, illegal counterfeit medications pose an increased risk to patient safety with sometimes fatal consequences." by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Play War Thunder now for free War Thunder Play Now Undo The group-spearheaded by Representatives Richard Hudson of North Carolina and Herb Conaway of New Jersey-asked the agency to ramp up enforcement over illegally imported weight-loss drugs. They suggested issuing warning letters and better monitoring non-compliant online retailers and so-called compounding pharmacies that sell the medicines. The lawmakers also said the FDA should work in tandem with US Customs and Border Patrol agents to stop Chinese entities from shipping unsafe weight-loss drugs into the US. They requested an update on the FDA's efforts by July 30, given the "urgency" of the situation. Live Events A spokesperson for the FDA said the agency will work with the US Department of Health and Human Services to provide a "complete and thorough" response to the issues raised in the lawmakers' letter. "Any effort to undermine America's supply of safe medicines is an issue that FDA takes seriously," the spokesperson said. "And we are deeply committed to strengthening the oversight of imported products at US ports of entry." In recent years, the popularity of GLP-1 drugs has led to an explosion of copycats and counterfeits made by companies seeking to capitalise on the hype. State-licensed pharmacies were temporarily allowed to make copies of the drugs during a supply shortage but are no longer permitted to do so after Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly boosted production. Still, some pharmacies have refused to wind down their operations while others have pivoted to selling the drugs in lower doses in order to avoid regulatory scrutiny. Counterfeit drugs are made by unregistered entities typically using illegally imported ingredients. As recently as April, there continue to be instances when counterfeit Ozempic pens covertly enter the drug supply chain undetected. Some patients are also purchasing ingredients directly from online sellers in an attempt to make the drugs themselves at home. In both cases, the medications don't go through the same rigorous approval process as brand-name drugs made by Novo and Lilly. Experts worry the lack of oversight is putting patients at risk. The FDA has said it's aware of hospitalisations potentially linked to the copycat drugs, but that adverse events are likely being underreported. "We support the bi-partisan call for the FDA to crack down on counterfeit and illegally sold weight-loss drugs," said a spokesperson for Hims & Hers Health, one of the telehealth firms that sells compounded GLP-1s. "We appreciate lawmakers' recognition that legitimate compounded medications dispensed by state-regulated pharmacies are not counterfeit. Patient safety must always come first." Novo and Lilly have discouraged consumers from using compounded and counterfeit products, including suing telehealth firms that sell the copycat versions and working with border agents to seize illegal shipments.
Mint
14 hours ago
- Mint
Lawmakers Press FDA to Target Knockoff Weight-Loss Drugs
(Bloomberg) -- Dozens of lawmakers are urging US health regulators to crack down on the booming market for knockoff weight-loss drugs amid mounting concerns over their potential safety risks. On Friday, a group of more than 80 bipartisan lawmakers asked the US Food and Drug Administration to stop counterfeit and copycat versions of GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy and Zepbound from flooding the market — a problem that emerged over the last year. 'We are concerned about recent reports revealing a surge in illegal and counterfeit anti-obesity medications,' they wrote in a letter to FDA Commissioner Marty Makary. 'Undoubtedly, illegal counterfeit medications pose an increased risk to patient safety with sometimes fatal consequences.' The group — spearheaded by Representatives Richard Hudson of North Carolina and Herb Conaway of New Jersey — asked the agency to ramp up enforcement over illegally imported weight-loss drugs. They suggested issuing warning letters and better monitoring non-compliant online retailers and so-called compounding pharmacies that sell the medicines. The lawmakers also said the FDA should work in tandem with US Customs and Border Patrol agents to stop Chinese entities from shipping unsafe weight-loss drugs into the US. They requested an update on the FDA's efforts by July 30, given the 'urgency' of the situation. A spokesperson for the FDA said the agency will work with the US Department of Health and Human Services to provide a 'complete and thorough' response to the issues raised in the lawmakers' letter. 'Any effort to undermine America's supply of safe medicines is an issue that FDA takes seriously,' the spokesperson said. 'And we are deeply committed to strengthening the oversight of imported products at US ports of entry.' In recent years, the popularity of GLP-1 drugs has led to an explosion of copycats and counterfeits made by companies seeking to capitalize on the hype. State-licensed pharmacies were temporarily allowed to make copies of the drugs during a supply shortage, but are no longer permitted to do so after Novo Nordisk A/S and Eli Lilly & Co. boosted production. Still, some pharmacies have refused to wind down their operations while others have pivoted to selling the drugs in lower doses in order to avoid regulatory scrutiny. Counterfeit drugs are made by unregistered entities typically using illegally imported ingredients. As recently as April, there continue to be instances when counterfeit Ozempic pens covertly enter the drug supply chain undetected. Some patients are also purchasing ingredients directly from online sellers in an attempt to make the drugs themselves at home. In both cases, the medications don't go through the same rigorous approval process as brand-name drugs made by Novo and Lilly. Experts worry the lack of oversight is putting patients at risk. The FDA has said it's aware of hospitalizations potentially linked to the copycat drugs, but that adverse events are likely being underreported. 'We support the bi-partisan call for the FDA to crack down on counterfeit and illegally sold weight-loss drugs,' said a spokesperson for Hims & Hers Health Inc., one of the telehealth firms that sells compounded GLP-1s. 'We appreciate lawmakers' recognition that legitimate compounded medications dispensed by state-regulated pharmacies are not counterfeit. Patient safety must always come first.' Novo and Lilly have discouraged consumers from using compounded and counterfeit products, including suing telehealth firms that sell the copycat versions and working with border agents to seize illegal shipments. Under the Biden administration, the companies repeatedly urged the FDA to take action, but the agency mostly limited its actions to issuing consumer warnings — even as its top drug official publicly acknowledged safety concerns. Under the Trump administration, the HHS has also focused more heavily on other issues, such as banning food dyes and examining vaccine schedules. Meanwhile, lawmakers are ramping up their calls for action. State attorneys and other lawmakers have sent letters to the FDA and Federal Trade Commission advocating for greater transparency around the treatments and more scrutiny around marketing practices. (Updates with statement from FDA in sixth and seventh paragraphs.) More stories like this are available on
The Hindu
15 hours ago
- The Hindu
Makkalai Thedi Maruthuvam, beneficial to lowest income groups, has severe lacunae in system
A bed-ridden former ward member's wife S. Vasanthi, 70, of Sakkimangalam, a Narikuravar community habitat in Madurai east taluk, lives on the diabetic medicines supplied by the Women Health Volunteers (WHVs) of Makkalai Thedi Maruthuvam (MTM), a novel initiative of the Tamil Nadu government. For the widow, who lives in a shanty house made of plastic and torn bedsheets, if not for the two-months of medicines supply by MTM volunteers, her sugar level would shoot up endangering her life. The MTM scheme has saved her life and penny; however, it has failed to identify any new diabetic person in the same locality. Chinapaapa, 75, who lives alone in her hut in the same locality, says she was not tested nor has any health volunteer visited her to identify any health problems. Her other neighbours, recollecting a health camp which was arranged at the village mid-point near a ration shop about a year ago, say they could not walk up to the camp as most of them were not informed or alerted earlier. The prime aim of the MTM scheme started in 2021 was to enable home-based screening and drug delivery at the doorsteps of beneficiaries. Though the scheme through its 20,000 workforce reportedly reached 5.50 crore individuals through screening - one crore first-time beneficiaries and 3.20 crore repeat - service beneficiaries – the actual follow-ups would be lesser, as per World Health Organization (WHO) data. By focusing on Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) like diabetes, high blood pressure, psychological problems, mouth and breast cancer, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), the WHV, under the scheme, were mandated to visit every household falling under their jurisdiction and carry out the tests required for identification. According to the Tamil Nadu State Planning Commission's survey report on the MTM scheme, the scheme has halved the out-of-pocket medical expenditure for the lowest income groups. The report added, 'Before the scheme started operating, the poorest income group in the survey had to spend over 10% of their monthly family income on treatment of diabetes and hypertension. Once the scheme rolled out, spending on the treatment has more than halved.' Though the scheme has recorded remarkable achievements like bringing the low-income population with diabetes and hypertension under the ambit of government record, keeping them in the government medication records, slowdown of the works owing to insufficient volunteers and irregular medicine supply have derailed the system in certain areas, if not all. A WHV at Keelavalavu, requesting anonymity, pointed out the practical difficulties in achieving the assigned duty like dispensing hypertension, diabetes and other essential medications in colour coded paper bags and checking BP and blood glucose at the time of drug delivery at the households. 'Many a times, due to the workload coupled with the absence of essential drugs and devices, people will be asked to visit nearby health centres like PHC, Health Sub-Centre or Community Health Centre for getting their monthly medical supply and routine check-up,' she adds. Barring a few, many fail to visit the hospital due to several reasons, she notes. A differently abled person named R. Rajasekar, residing in Malaipatti panchayat, falling under Madurai West Panchayat Union, says that a year ago, a medical camp was conducted near his village and he too took the test and learnt that he had diabetes at its initial stage. 'Tablets were given, and I was given diet instructions to keep the blood glucose level under control. I also receive the monthly tablets through a volunteer or a neighbour, who visits the nearby hospital for their routine check up,' he adds. As the volunteers would not visit his house for monthly check-up and he would be asked to visit the hospital, he has not undergone the blood glucose level test for more than a year, he says. It is the lacuna in the system that obstructs the otherwise achievable result of the scheme, says a PHC doctor near Melur. The ground-level difficulties for the WHVs, who are paid close to ₹5,000 per month, were that they would be asked to screen at least 50 people per day in their region, the doctor adds. 'In addition to screening, they should also update their data and deliver medicines according to the public needs every day. This much is expected from the volunteers with just a bare minimum payment,' the doctor states. Resonating with the doctor, the Keelavalavu WHV says, at times when the device to screen patients gets repaired or the battery drains off, they had to spend their own money to buy new batteries or to repair it. 'As there is no travel allowance, that also goes out of our pockets,' she adds. Moreover, the doctor says that the on-ground issues like non-availability of the working population in the households and unavailability of men in houses for screening or periodical checking leave them out of the cycle. An interim report of the State government intended to address the gaps specified carrying out campaign mode of screening for early detection and increased screening in the industries through collaboration with labour department to cover the working population, the doctor notes. Such far-reaching aims of the scheme, in the absence of a vigorous working plan and scheduled supply of medicines and equipment, cannot be achieved, the doctor observes. A. Veronica Mary, a health activist based in Madurai, says: 'Though the scheme gives a perception that it is a success, it could only be for a short term.' 'Our State's rural health system, which is structured around a network of PHCs, CHCs and hospitals, is already well-connected and is robust enough to cover the villages,' she adds. As the 1,700 plus PHCs and more than 8,500 HSCs in the State were based on the 2011 population census, only doubling it would enhance the overall coverage of healthcare. 'The MTM scheme linked with the PHCs will fail if the PHCs workforce is not enhanced and monitoring is not improved,' she notes. PHCs, which are already reeling under an acute shortage of doctors, nurses and health workers, were additionally burdened with documenting and data recording works. In this situation, MTM scheme may not be successful in a year or so, if the PHCs and CHCs are not strengthened with necessary staff and resources, he notes. 'The government should review its performance and release a white paper on the scheme. Only through it, the reach of the programme could be studied and improved,' Ms. Mary states. Many of the villages and rural households were still untouched by the scheme and covering it all would require self-evaluation and introspection, she adds.
