Latest news with #Gopakumar
Time of India
5 days ago
- Time of India
Key accused in drug trafficking case arrested
T'puram: In a major breakthrough in the crackdown on synthetic drug trafficking , Fort police arrested the key accused in an inter-state MDMA smuggling case. The accused, Anuvin, 22, a native of Kerala, was arrested in Bengaluru on Monday. The arrest followed the earlier apprehension of Gopakumar of Muttathara, who was caught with 32g of MDMA. During interrogation, Gopakumar revealed that the drugs were sourced from Bengaluru. Acting on this information, a special investigation team, under the directive of Thiruvananthapuram city police commissioner, raided paying guest (PG) hostels in Bengaluru, eventually nabbing Anuvin. According to police, Anuvin played a key role in supplying MDMA and other synthetic drugs to several districts in Kerala, including Thiruvananthapuram. He allegedly operated with the help of middlemen and targeted PG hostels where Malayali students resided. His modus operandi involved befriending youngsters, especially through social media and initially introducing them to small quantities of MDMA before luring them into the drug trade. The investigation uncovered that drugs worth several lakhs were trafficked into Kerala over the past year through this network. Anuvin was produced before a court and was remanded in custody. The arrest was carried out by a team comprising Fort ACP Shibu, SHO Sivakumar, SIs Atul Prem and Suresh Sreekumar and senior CPOs Sijumon, Sreejith and Arya.
The Hindu
22-07-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Eliminate unnecessary animal studies, establish clear conditions for comparative clinical trials, say healthcare advocates
There is an urgent need to eliminate unnecessary animal studies, and establish clear conditions for requiring comparative clinical trials for affordable biosimilars without compromising safety and efficacy, members of civil society said in a letter to the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) on the draft guidelines on biosimilars. Also read:India takes first step to remove animals from drug-testing process A biosimilar is a biological medicine like another already approved biological medicine. While it is not an exact copy, it is clinically similar in terms of safety, purity, and potency. Biosimilars are developed to be a more affordable alternative to the reference biologic, increasing access to treatment options and potentially lowering healthcare costs. 'These guidelines mark a significant step toward making affordable, lifesaving biosimilars available to Indians suffering from serious illnesses like cancer, diabetes, and auto-immune disorders like arthritis. Biosimilars offer hope to patients by providing lower-cost alternatives to expensive biologic medicines. In India, where many struggle to afford basic healthcare, these drugs can transform lives. The draft guidelines are progressive as they have simplified the approval process, but we believe additional changes can make biosimilars even more accessible, ethical, and affordable, while maintaining safety and quality,'' the group, which includes patient advocates, healthcare organisations, and concerned citizens, said in its letter. 'The proposed guidelines on seeking reduced animal testing are encouraging. However, without a complete waiver, we are looking at increased costs and delayed access to affordable biosimilars. So, by eliminating these tests, India can lower production costs, speed up the biosimilar development, and uphold ethical standards, as well as make biosimilars more affordable for patients,' K.M. Gopakumar, co-convenor of the Working Group on Access to Medicines and Treatment, a civil society network for affordable healthcare, said. There is also a global trend to make clinical efficacy studies an exception rather than a rule, Mr. Gopakumar added. 'The draft guidelines' provision to skip clinical trials when a biosimilar is proven similar through lab tests is a positive step. But the language used grants significant discretion to the licensing authority and carries the risk of regulatory arbitrariness. Moreover, it could be exploited by originator companies to initiate legal action against biosimilar manufacturers, alleging potential compromises in safety and quality,'' he warned, adding that the group is demanding a clear definition for the situation where a biosimilar developer needs to carry out comparative clinical trials. Calling on the CDSCO to ensure the finalised guidelines on biosimilars remain free from any conflict of interest, the group said that the 2025 Draft Guidelines on Similar Biologics offer an opportunity to advance India's healthcare system. 'By removing animal studies, clarifying clinical trial waivers, and prioritising affordability, India can make biosimilars more accessible, reduce ethical concerns, and reinforce India's leadership in affordable medicine. We request that you incorporate these recommendations and engage with civil society, patient groups, and healthcare advocates as you finalise the guidelines,'' the group has urged the CDSCO.
Time of India
10-07-2025
- Time of India
Pocso case accused arrested with MDMA
Thiruvananthapuram: Police arrested a man with 32g of MDMA during a raid at his house in Muttathara on Thursday. Police said that the accused, identified as Gopakumar, 24, of Ponnara Nagar, was arrested in 2022 under Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act for sexually assaulting a minor girl after befriending her on social media. He became a drug peddler after coming out of prison on bail. After receiving a tip-off about his activities, police kept him under surveillance. They raided his house as soon as he arrived from Bengaluru, from where he bought the drug and sold it here. The accused was remanded after being produced before a court on charges under Section 22 (c) and 20 (b) (ii) A of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act.
