9 December 2023 : The Hindu Editorial Notes PDF
The Hindu Editorial
9-December-2023
1. India’s growing neighbourhood dilemmas.
Topic: GS2 – health sector
Study Findings (Journal of Pharmaceutical Policy and Practice, 2023):
- In 2020, 60.5% of fixed-dose combinations (FDCs) of antibiotics in India were unapproved, comprising 239 formulations.
- Additionally, 9.9% of FDCs, consisting of 39 formulations, were being sold despite being banned in the country.
- The high prevalence of unapproved or banned FDCs containing antibiotics raises concerns about antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in India.
Importance of FDCs:
- FDCs combine multiple drugs, improving patient compliance by reducing the chance of forgetting individual medications.
- They have proven beneficial in treating diseases like AIDS, enhancing patient compliance and treatment outcomes.
Challenges in FDC Approval:
- Formulating FDCs is challenging due to potential interactions between active ingredients and excipients.
- Scientifically designed approval processes are crucial to evaluate these interactions and ensure safety and efficacy.
Pharmaceutical Industry Practices:
- Indian pharmaceutical companies exploit FDCs to evade liability under the Drugs (Prices Control) Order (DPCO).
- FDCs provide a loophole as drug combinations were historically not covered by DPCO regulations.
Industry Motivations for FDCs:
- Companies introduce a vast array of FDCs without medical rationale.
- FDCs lack standardized testing protocols, allowing manufacturers to set their own standards for government testing.
- FDCs offer a pretext for charging higher prices, as they can be marketed as unique products catering to specific needs.
Regulatory Challenges Since 1978:
- The FDC issue has been on the regulatory radar since 1978.
- Lack of a pre-sale vetting system under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act allowed State drug controllers to issue manufacturing licenses without central government intervention.
Regulatory Amendments:
- In 1982, Parliament granted the central government the power to “prohibit” the manufacture of drugs lacking therapeutic value.
- In 1988, amendments mandated manufacturers of “new drugs,” including FDCs, to submit proof of safety and efficacy to the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI).
Persistent Licensing Irregularities:
- Despite clear laws, State drug controllers continue to issue manufacturing licenses for unapproved FDCs.
- Ministry of Health resorts to using Section 26A to prohibit specific FDCs, issuing 444 orders since 1983, leading to complex litigation.
Call for Immediate Action:
- Academics emphasize the urgent need for the Ministry of Health to address the incompetence of the drug regulatory framework in India.
- Unapproved FDCs may contribute to the AMR problem, necessitating swift regulatory intervention.
Question: Explain the challenges posed by unapproved and banned fixed-dose combinations (FDCs) of antibiotics in India.
2. Bridge this deficit between India and Sri Lanka.
Topic: GS2 – International relations.
Land Connectivity Proposal:
- Sri Lanka’s President Ranil Wickremesinghe proposes establishing land connectivity with India, revisiting a two-decade-old idea.
- Originally suggested a bridge linking Rameswaram (India) and Talaimanar (Sri Lanka) for regional economic integration and growth.
Historical Opposition:
- Sinhalese-Buddhist groups opposed the idea, claiming it would not benefit Sri Lanka, leading to hesitations and criticisms.
- In 2015, when the Asian Development Bank offered funding for the bridge project, Sri Lanka faced opposition from project opponents.
Persistent Efforts:
- Despite challenges, President Wickremesinghe and Prime Minister Narendra Modi sustain the idea of land connectivity.
- Joint statement in July mentions a feasibility study for land connectivity, emphasizing regional economic collaboration.
Infrastructure Development Lag:
- Proposal to connect electricity networks dates back to 1970, with a memorandum of understanding signed over 13 years ago.
- Limited progress in transmitting electricity between India and Sri Lanka, contrasting with India’s successful energy collaborations with Bangladesh.
Trade and Economic Cooperation:
- India-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement (1998) hasn’t led to significant progress in economic and technology cooperation.
- Bilateral economic ties show potential, with India being a major source of imports and tourism revenue for Sri Lanka.
Trade Disparities:
- Bilateral trade between India and Sri Lanka in 2021 amounted to $5.45 billion, significantly lower than India’s trade with Bangladesh ($18.14 billion).
Recent Developments:
- Positive developments in the last year, including resumed air services, passenger ferry launches, and a joint venture in the dairy sector.
- Momentum suggests the potential for mutually beneficial economic relationships between India and Sri Lanka.
Call for Sustained Progress:
- Sri Lanka urged to move beyond historical challenges and embrace opportunities for economic cooperation with India.
- Emphasizes the need for sustained efforts to enhance connectivity, trade, and economic collaboration.
3. Threats from glaciers should be in same risk category as cyclones and quakes.
Topic: GS3 – disaster management
Climate Crisis Impact on Glaciers:
- World Meteorological Organization’s report, “The Global Climate 2011-2020,” highlights glaciers as a crucial indicator of the climate crisis.
- From 2011 to 2020, global glaciers thinned by approximately one meter per year on average, reflecting the impact of greenhouse gas emissions.
Regional Variability and Overall Pattern:
- Despite significant regional differences, a consistent trend shows glaciers shrinking across all world regions.
- Reference glaciers, used for long-term assessments, are disappearing as winter snow, essential for glacier health, melts away during summers.
Projected Disappearance of African Glaciers:
- Glaciers on the Rwenzori Mountains and Mount Kenya in Africa are projected to vanish by 2030, with those on Kilimanjaro following by 2040.
- Rapid growth of pro-glacial lakes and the risk of glacier lake outburst floods (GLOF) pose additional threats to ecosystems and livelihoods.
Impact on Catastrophic Events:
- Glacial melt contributed to significant flooding disasters, such as the Uttarakhand floods of June 2013.
- Recent GLOF events, like the destruction of the Chungthang dam in Sikkim, emphasize the urgency of addressing glacier-related risks.
Accelerated Disappearance in Hindu Kush Himalayas:
- A separate report by the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development reveals glaciers in the Hindu Kush Himalayas disappearing 65% faster in the 2010s than the previous decade.
- Global greenhouse gas emissions’ current trajectory may lead to a 55% to 75% decline in glacier volume by the end of the century.
Need for Early Warning Systems:
- Despite awareness of Himalayan glacier risks, there is no early warning system for potential GLOF events.
- Urgent need to elevate glacier-related threats to the same risk category as cyclones, floods, and earthquakes.
Comprehensive Risk Assessments and Infrastructure Development:
- Emphasizes the importance of comprehensive risk assessments, vulnerability mapping, and infrastructure development with high standards of care.
- Calls for authorities to prioritize and address the threats posed by contracting glaciers, ensuring preparedness for potential GLOF events.
Question: Examine the global impact of climate change on glaciers, focusing on the findings of the World Meteorological Organization’s report, and discuss the urgent need for early warning systems and comprehensive risk assessments in vulnerable regions.
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