9 July 2024 : The Hindu Editorial Analysis
1. Indigenous HPV vaccine, the rhetoric and the reality
(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 8)
| Topic: GS2 – Social Justice – Health |
| Context |
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Overview of HPV Vaccination Debate in India
- Recent discussions in India highlight uncertainties regarding the efficacy of HPV vaccination in preventing cervical cancer, as not all HPV strains are definitively linked to cancer.
| What is a HPV vaccine? |
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- Critics argue that while most cervical cancer cases are HPV-positive, not all HPV carriers develop cancer.
- Both Indian Population Based Cancer Registries (PBCR) and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) have noted declining cervical cancer rates in India and globally, irrespective of vaccination efforts.
Development and Introduction of Indigenous HPV Vaccine
- Introduction of ‘Cervavac’: The Serum Institute of India (SII) developed ‘Cervavac,’ marketed as an indigenous and affordable HPV vaccine. This vaccine targets high-risk populations and aims to address specific local health challenges.
- ‘Cervavac’ arrived nearly two decades after the introduction of patented HPV vaccines in Western countries like the United States and Australia, highlighting delays caused by global patent regimes and monopolies.
- Technological Basis: ‘Cervavac’ utilizes virus-like particles (VLPs) produced via recombinant deoxyribonucleic acid (rDNA) techniques, a technology dating back to the 1970s also used for the Hepatitis-B vaccine.
Impact of Patent Regimes and Globalization
- Historically, vaccine development was open and shared, but the 1980s saw changes with the U.S. Patent Act allowing GMO and life process patents, followed by global patent standardisation through TRIPS.
- Under a product patent regime, India’s pharmaceutical industry faced obstacles in developing generic versions until patents expired. This delayed local HPV vaccine availability despite technological capability.
Pricing and Accessibility Issues
- Initially developed with support from entities like the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, ‘Cervavac’ remains priced high compared to production costs, limiting accessibility.
- Market Competition: Lack of competing domestic vaccines has kept prices high, despite promises from various Indian biotech companies to introduce affordable alternatives. Consolidation and global partnerships in the industry have impacted local competition.
Public Health Implications and Policy Concerns
- Government Vaccination Program: ‘Cervavac’ is recommended universally by the government for girls aged 9 to 26, priced at ₹500 for two doses. However, costs rise significantly to ₹2,000 for those outside government coverage, exacerbating health expenditure issues.
- The debate around universal HPV vaccination’s efficacy and the absence of competitive pricing warrants further investigation in the public interest.
- Issues include transparency in pricing and equitable access across socioeconomic groups.
Conclusion
- Despite the push for universal HPV vaccination in India, doubts persist over its effectiveness in preventing cervical cancer.
- The delayed introduction and pricing challenges of ‘Cervavac’ underscore broader issues in vaccine development, pricing strategies, and regulatory oversight.
- Addressing these issues requires transparent pricing mechanisms, fostering local vaccine development, and ensuring equitable access to affordable healthcare solutions.
- The ongoing debate highlights the complexities of global health policy and vaccine distribution in India’s evolving healthcare landscape.
| PYQ: What is the basic principle behind vaccine development ? How do vaccines work? What approaches were adopted by the Indian vaccine manufacturers to produce COVID-19 vaccines? (UPSC CSE (M) GS-3 2022) |
| Practice Question: Discuss the controversies surrounding the HPV vaccination program in India, highlighting issues such as efficacy concerns, delayed indigenous vaccine development, and challenges in pricing and accessibility. (150 Words /10 marks) |
2. A brewing duel amid Manila’s dual engagement
(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 8)
| Topic: GS2 – International Relations |
| Context |
| Under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the Philippines is bolstering ties with the U.S. and Quad nations to counter China’s assertiveness in the South China Sea, while maintaining economic ties with Beijing. |
Analysis of the article:
- Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the current President of the Philippines, has taken a firm stance against China’s actions in the South China Sea, criticising them as illegal and aggressive.
- Under Marcos Jr.’s leadership, the Philippines has strengthened security ties with the United States, marking a shift from previous administrations focused on Chinese development funds.
- The Philippines is enhancing its military capabilities with a $35 billion acquisition plan, focusing on modernising Subic Bay and Clark Air Base.
- Supported by Quad partners (India, Australia, Japan, and the U.S.), the Philippines is receiving military aid, including BrahMos missiles from India and coastal surveillance radars from Japan.
- Despite growing military cooperation with the U.S. and Quad, the Philippines remains economically reliant on China, which has historically provided significant financial aid.
- Marcos Jr.’s confrontational approach with China may impact these economic ties while strengthening military alliances with Quad nations.
3. Share of women in unincorporated sector highest in the south
(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 9)
| Topic: GS3 – IndianEconomy – Issues relating to development and employment. |
| Context |
| The Annual Survey of Unincorporated Sector 2022-23 highlights higher female participation in southern and some eastern states of India in unincorporated enterprises, contrasting with lower involvement in western, northern, and central states. |
Analysis of the article:
- Survey Overview: The Annual Survey of Unincorporated Sector 2022-23 highlights regional disparities in women’s participation across India, with southern and some eastern states showing higher involvement compared to western, northern, and central states.
- Sector Definition: The unincorporated sector encompasses a diverse range of activities from street vending to skilled services like tailoring and car repair. These enterprises are typically operated by individuals or self-employed entrepreneurs, often involving unpaid family members or paid workers. The sector excludes agricultural establishments and those covered under the Companies Act or Annual Survey of Industries.
Survey Findings:
- According to the Annual Survey of Unincorporated Sector 2022-23:
- Overall Workforce: Southern states, notably Telangana, lead with women constituting 41% of the workforce, including owners and formal/informal workers.
Sectoral Breakdown:
- Manufacturing and Trade: Similar trends with high female participation noted, especially in southern states.
- Worker-Owners: Southern states again highlight higher female representation among owner-workers, with Telangana and West Bengal prominently featured.
- Role of Unpaid Family Workers: Women’s participation is significantly higher among unpaid family workers across all states, surpassing other job types. For instance, in Telangana:
- 43% among worker-owners,
- 52% among formal hired workers,
- 26% among informal hired workers,
- 59% among unpaid family workers.
- National Perspective: Women across India play a substantial but often unpaid and overlooked role in unincorporated sectors, influencing enterprise operations despite minimal financial compensation.
- Implications: The findings underscore regional disparities and highlight the need for targeted policies to support and empower women in these economic sectors, ensuring equitable participation and recognition.
| PYQ: Examine the role of ‘Gig Economy’ in the process of empowerment of women in India. (150 words) (UPSC CSE (M) GS-1 2021) |
| Practice Question: Discuss the regional variations in female participation in India’s unincorporated sector. What are the implications for gender equity in economic development? (250 Words /15 marks) |
