Until law, GLP-1 drugs were used to treat diabetes, obesity and even the recent evidences suggest that it could as well be used to treat chronic kidney problems. There is yet another research, published in JAMA Psychiatry on February 25, titled Once-Weekly Semaglutide in Adults With Alcohol Use Disorder: A Randomized Clinical Trial that explores if GLP-1 receptor agonist semaglutide reduce alcohol consumption and cravings in adults with alcohol use disorder.

What Do Studies Say?

The research was conducted over a period of 9 weeks, where in the randomized clinical trial, the participants who were administered semaglutide, it led to reductions in some but not all measures of weekly consumptions. It also reduced weekly alcohol and craving related to placebo, and also led to a greater relative reduction in cigarettes per day.

The research also found that weekly injections of semaglutide, which is the active ingredient in weight loss drugs like Wegovy also helped reduce cravings in people with alcohol use disorder.

The lead author Christian Hendershot said that these findings will help in developing new approaches to treat alcoholism. "Two drugs currently approved to reduce alcohol consumption aren't widely used. The popularity of Ozempic and other GLP-1 receptor agonists increases the chances of broad adoption of these treatments for alcohol use disorder," said Hendershot in news release by the University of Southern California's Institute for Addiction Research, where he is the director.

The study is government-funded research and was funded by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, part of the National Institutes of Health.

How Was The Study Conducted?

The study was small, and took in account for only 48 adults over two months, thus experts say that it is not yet clear how safe these drugs are for people who do not need to lose weight. Though the results do add up with the evidence form animal studies on drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy on how it helps manage cravings, not just for food, but also for tobacco and alcohol. Scientists are also studying these drugs on smokers, people with opioid addiction and cocaine users.

Co-author Dr Klara Klein of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill who treats people with obesity and diabetes said, "This is such promising data. And we need more of it. We frequently will hear that once people start these medications that their desire to drink is very reduced, if not completely abolished."

Why Does It Work So Well Against Alcoholism?

The GLP-1 receptor agonists work by mimicking hormones GLP-1 in the gut and brain that regulates appetite and feelings of fullness. This response is what helps one lose weight, and what helps one curb their craving for alcohol. These drugs that mimic the functioning of your brain, which is responsible to tell your body when to stop consuming, are the same hormones that tell your body about other kinds of consumptions, including alcohol. Therefore by consuming the weight loss drugs one can treat alcohol use disorder.

However, the researchers have pointed out on the limited data on the research and have suggested to continue using the three approved drugs by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, namely, Disulfiram, Naltrexone, and Acamprosate to treat alcohol use disorder until large studies confirm these findings.

As India marks eight years of Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY), Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted the scheme’s expansion and its role in reducing the financial burden of medical treatment.

Launched on September 23, 2018, AB PM-JAY provides cashless hospitalisation cover of up to Rs 5 lakh per family annually to economically vulnerable citizens. It is now implemented across all 36 States and Union Territories in India.

Over 60 Crore People Covered

In a post on X, PM Modi said more than 60 crore people are covered under the scheme.

“Eight years ago, Ayushman Bharat was rolled out with the idea that every Indian should have access to top-quality and affordable healthcare. Today, more than 60 crore beneficiaries have access to Rs. 5 lakh annual health cover, making it the largest healthcare scheme in the world. It has enabled record savings on medical expenses, thus benefitting the poor and middle class,” PM Modi said.

He emphasised that “healthcare is moving closer to every doorstep,” with Ayushman Arogya Mandirs strengthening primary healthcare at the grassroots and recording over 500 crore visits.

Also read: India Launches Biovigilance Program To Strengthen Organ Transplant Safety

Ayushman Bharat: Key Numbers

As of September 21, 2026:

• 60 crore+ people covered under AB PM-JAY
• 48.54 crore+ Ayushman cards created
• 13 crore+ people availed free treatment
• Rs 2 lakh crore+ worth of hospitalisation and treatment provided
• 38,000+ public and private hospitals empanelled
• 1,961 procedures covered across 27 medical specialties

Union Health Minister JP Nadda said, “behind every number is a story” — including families protected from medical debt and patients receiving timely treatment without the fear of financial hardship.

What Is Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY?

AB PM-JAY is the financial protection component of Ayushman Bharat, covering secondary and tertiary hospitalisation.

As of September 21, more than 48.51 crore people, or about 33% of India's population, held Ayushman cards.

As of August 31, the scheme had funded 13.25 crore hospital admissions worth Rs 2.03 lakh crore through more than 38,000 empanelled hospitals.

Ayushman Arogya Mandirs Expand Primary Care

Ayushman Arogya Mandirs form the primary healthcare component of Ayushman Bharat.

They have recorded more than 540 crore visits, while over 50 crore teleconsultations have been conducted as of September 17.

ABHA IDs Cross 97 Crore

Under the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission, more than 97.61 crore ABHA IDs were operational as of September 17, with over 119.95 crore health records linked to them.

The platform also had more than 5.78 lakh healthcare facilities and 11 lakh healthcare professionals registered.

PM-ABHIM Strengthens Health Infrastructure

The Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM) has a budget of Rs 64,180 crore for 2021-2026, focusing on health infrastructure, disease surveillance and health research.

Expansion of AB PM-JAY

In March 2024, AB PM-JAY was expanded to around 37 lakh families of ASHAs, anganwadi workers and anganwadi helpers. More than 44.81 lakh Ayushman cards had been created for them as of September 21.

The scheme was also expanded in September 2024 to cover all senior citizens aged 70 years and above. More than 1.36 crore Ayushman Vay Vandana cards had been issued as of September 21.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are investigating a multistate hepatitis A outbreak linked to imported frozen clams.

At least 37 people have been infected across four states, according to the CDC. Thirty people have been hospitalized, while no deaths have been reported.

Cases have been reported in Massachusetts (three), Minnesota (three), New York (27) and Pennsylvania (four). Those infected range in age from 6 to 40 years.

Raw Shellfish Linked to Outbreak

Health officials interviewed people about foods they consumed before falling ill. The CDC said:

“Of the people interviewed, 77% reported eating ceviche (raw fish or shellfish marinated in citrus juice), 76% reported eating raw or undercooked shellfish, and 47% reported eating raw or undercooked conchas negras (black clams),” the CDC said.

Further analysis found that imported frozen clams were the likely source of the infection.

The CDC said the actual number of illnesses is likely higher than the 37 reported cases. Some people may recover without seeking medical care and therefore may not be tested for hepatitis A. Recent illnesses may also not yet have been linked to the outbreak because it can take weeks to determine whether an individual case is part of an outbreak.

Frozen Clam Products Recalled

La Serranita-brand concha negra (black shell) shell meat products were recalled by dealers in New York and New Jersey in April.

The shell meat products, imported from Ecuador, were distributed to restaurants and retailers in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Ohio and Pennsylvania and may have been distributed elsewhere.

What To Do If You Were Exposed

If you ate frozen La Serranita-brand concha negra shell meat raw or undercooked within the past 14 days and are not vaccinated against hepatitis A, contact your local health department or healthcare provider to discuss treatment, including post-exposure prophylaxis, the CDC said.

What Is Hepatitis A?

Hepatitis A is a liver infection caused by the hepatitis A virus (HAV). It spreads when people consume food or water contaminated with the virus or through close contact with an infected person. Hepatitis A is preventable through vaccination.

Hepatitis A Symptoms

Not everyone infected with hepatitis A develops symptoms. When symptoms occur, they usually appear 2–7 weeks after exposure and can include:

• Dark urine or clay-colored stools
• Diarrhea
• Feeling tired
• Fever
• Joint pain
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea, stomach pain or vomiting
• Yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice)

Adults are more likely than children to develop symptoms. People with hepatitis A may feel sick for several weeks to several months but usually recover completely.

In rare cases, hepatitis A can lead to hospitalization, liver failure and death. Severe disease is more common in older people and those with other serious health conditions, such as chronic liver disease.

President Droupadi Murmu has urged popular film artists not to endorse products that are harmful to health, highlighting their influence on children and young people.

Speaking at the 72nd National Film Awards in Kevadia, Gujarat, the President said successful film artists can influence the choices and habits of millions of young people.

“When successful film artists speak about the benefits of a disciplined lifestyle, millions of children and young people emulate them,” she said.

“I would like to request that popular artists refrain from endorsing substances that are harmful to health,” she added, saying that “a true star is one who spreads light, not darkness”.

Doctors Back President’s Message

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The President’s remarks come amid concerns over the influence of celebrity and influencer marketing on health choices, particularly among younger audiences.

Dr Ambrish Mithal, Chairman, Endocrinology and Diabetes, Max HealthCare, welcomed the message.

“There could not be a better message than this- many thanks to our President for saying it out clearly. The impact of such advertising on the minds of the youth is huge. I hope her appeal makes our film stars and sportspersons realise the harm they could be causing. At the same time, discouraging the sale of such products by deterrents for manufacturers and advertisers is much needed,” he said in a post on X.

The issue has also come into focus amid controversies over celebrity endorsements of ultra-processed foods and pan masala-linked products. The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration issued show-cause notices to Shah Rukh Khan, Ajay Devgn and Tiger Shroff over their appearance in a Vimal Elaichi advertisement.

Doctors Seek Curbs On Junk Food Ads

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The concerns extend beyond pan masala-linked products to foods and beverages high in fat, salt and sugar, particularly those marketed to children and families.

In August, a group of doctors, medical scientists and public health experts brought together by Nutrition Advocacy in Public Interest-India (NAPi) urged the government to restrict advertising of foods high in fat, salt and sugar (HFSS), as well as ultra-processed foods.

In a representation to Union Health Minister J P Nadda, the experts called for restrictions on HFSS and ultra-processed food advertising between 6 am and 11 pm across television, print, digital, streaming and social media.

They also sought mandatory front-of-pack warning labels identifying products high in sugar, salt or fat, along with restrictions on marketing practices aimed at children and families.

India’s Overweight, Obesity Burden Rises

The calls for tighter scrutiny of food marketing come amid rising overweight and obesity levels among Indian adults.

According to NFHS-6 (2023-24), 30.7% of women and 27.3% of men aged 15-49 years were overweight or obese, up from 24% and 22.9%, respectively, in NFHS-5 (2019-21).

NFHS-6 also recorded an increase in high or very high blood sugar, or the use of medication to control blood sugar, among adults aged 15 years and above. The proportion rose from 13.5% to 17.8% among women and from 15.6% to 20.9% among men between NFHS-5 and NFHS-6.

Data from World Obesity Atlas, more than 41 million children aged 5 to 19 in India suffer from high BMI (including 14 million living strictly with obesity).

FSSAI Warns Influencers Over Food Claims

Adding to the scrutiny around food marketing, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) last month cautioned celebrities and social media influencers against promoting misleading or unverified food claims.

FSSAI has warned that promoting misleading or unverified food claims can attract legal consequences.