Daily News Analysis

Hydroxyurea

stylish_lining

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) invited Expressions of Interest (EoI) from various organisations for the “joint development and commercialisation” of low dose or paediatric oral formulation of hydroxyurea to treat sickle cell disease in India.

About Hydroxyurea (taken orally in the form of capsules or tablets)

• It's a medication used to treat certain types of cancer, such as chronic myelocytic leukemia (CML) and some head and neck cancers, as well as to reduce the frequency of painful crises in people with sickle cell anemia.

• It works by slowing the growth of rapidly dividing cells, including cancer cells and bone marrow cells that produce abnormal red blood cells in sickle cell disease.

Hydroxyurea inhibits the enzyme ribonucleotide reductase, which is crucial for DNA synthesis. It is used to decrease the high platelet count, reducing the risk of thrombosis.

Polycythemia Vera condition involves the overproduction of red blood cells. Hydroxyurea helps reduce the red blood cell count, lowering the risk of blood clots & other complications.

Common side effects: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, mouth sores, hair loss, and skin rash, decreasing levels of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets in the blood.

Critical Minerals

India’s first auction of deep-sea blocks for the extraction of critical minerals has been delayed indefinitely after receiving a poor response from bidders. This auction was expected to be a
Share It

President's Rule

The extension of President’s Rule in Manipur has brought to the fore the historical and controversial use of Article 356 of the Indian Constitution, shedding light on how its imposition disr
Share It

Beggars' Homes in India

In M.S. Patter v. State of NCT of Delhi, the Supreme Court (SC) held that state-run beggars’ homes are not merely penal institutions or charitable endeavors but are instead constitutional tr
Share It

Public Distribution System (PDS)

India's Public Distribution System (PDS) has long been a cornerstone of food security, ensuring access to subsidised cereals for millions of people. However, a recent Crisil study using the &l
Share It

Saudi-Pakistan Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement (SMDA)

The recent Saudi-Pakistan Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement (SMDA) represents a major shift in the geopolitical landscape of the Middle East and South Asia, with significant implications for Indi
Share It

Wassenaar Arrangement

The Wassenaar Arrangement is facing significant challenges in adapting its controls to the rapid growth of cloud technology. This issue highlights the need to update its control lists and enforcem
Share It

National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB)

The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) report for 2023 highlights a 9.2% increase in crimes against children in India, with 177,335 cases registered in total. This reflects a concerning rise in
Share It

Doctrine of Contributory Negligence

The Andhra Pradesh High Court recently made an important ruling regarding the doctrine of contributory negligence in criminal law. The court clarified that contributory negligence does not apply t
Share It

Perpetual Bonds

The Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Ltd (IREDA) recently raised ₹453 crore at an interest rate of 7.70% per annum through its second issue of Perpetual Bonds. This move is part of the
Share It

Fake News

The Standing Committee on Communications and Information Technology in India has recently proposed several measures aimed at tackling the pervasive issue of fake news and misinformation, acknowled
Share It

Newsletter Subscription


ACQ IAS
ACQ IAS