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.

Amid rising anemia in India, especially among pregnant women, the government has initiated the use of intravenous (IV) iron therapy to combat a condition that continues to be a significant public health challenge.

To date, four high-burden states have rolled out IV Ferric Carboxymaltose (FCM) therapy under the Anemia Mukt Bharat (AMB) initiative. Rajasthan was the first to launch the FCM Pink Drive in November 2025, followed by Andhra Pradesh (February 2026), Bihar (March 2026), and Uttar Pradesh (April 2026).

“The use of intravenous (IV) iron therapy has emerged as a scientifically sound alternative to restore iron levels and improve outcomes,” said Aradhana Patnaik, IAS, Additional Secretary and Mission Director (NHM). She added that it addresses moderate-to-severe anemia in pregnant women more effectively, particularly where oral iron is poorly tolerated or ineffective.

What Is Anemia ?

Anemia is a condition in which the number of red blood cells or their oxygen-carrying capacity is insufficient to meet the body's physiological needs.

Anemia during pregnancy is associated with postpartum hemorrhage, neural tube defects, low birth weight, premature births, stillbirths, and maternal and neonatal mortality. It can continue to affect women in the postpartum period and may worsen due to blood loss during and after delivery. This contributes to an intergenerational cycle of poor health and suboptimal growth.

According to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5), anemia remains a major public health issue in India, affecting:

• 52.2 per cent of pregnant women

• 60.6 per cent of lactating mothers

In an interview with HealthandMe, Prof. Dr. Sanjay Pandey, Head of the Department of Community and Family Medicine at AIIMS Patna, explained the rationale behind the therapy and its rollout in Bihar.

Why Are Women More Vulnerable to Anemia ?

Dr. Sanjay: Women are especially vulnerable to anemia because of menstrual blood loss, increased iron requirements during pregnancy, blood loss during childbirth, repeated pregnancies, poor dietary iron intake, infections, and certain genetic blood disorders.

What Is IV-FCM and How Does It Work?

Dr. Sanjay: Ferric Carboxymaltose (IV-FCM) is an injectable form of iron administered directly into the bloodstream. It is used to treat moderate-to-severe anemia when oral iron tablets are insufficient or poorly tolerated.

Unlike tablets, which depend on the gut to absorb iron slowly, a single IV-FCM infusion can deliver a full therapeutic dose in around 15 minutes, correcting hemoglobin levels within weeks.

How Is IV Iron Therapy Better Than Oral Iron?

Dr. Sanjay: One of the key advantages of FCM is that it can deliver up to 1,000 mg of iron in a single infusion lasting about 15 minutes, often resulting in a significant improvement in hemoglobin levels within two to four weeks.

The therapy reduces the need for

• multiple hospital visits,
• improves treatment compliance,
• causes fewer gastrointestinal side effects than oral iron,
• carries a lower risk of hypersensitivity reactions than older formulations such as iron dextran
• It also requires fewer infusions than iron sucrose.

When Is IV-FCM Recommended?

Dr. Sanjay: IV-FCM is recommended for:

• Pregnant Women: IV-FCM is recommended from the second trimester onwards, particularly in cases of moderate-to-severe anemia (Hb 5–9.9 g/dL). Studies indicate that FCM does not cross the placenta and does not negatively impact neonatal outcomes, including birth weight or fetal growth.

• Dose in Pregnancy: IV-FCM is given as an infusion of up to 1,000 mg in one sitting, mixed in 100 mL of normal saline over approximately 15 minutes. It should not be administered more than once a week.

How Safe Is IV Iron Therapy for Mother and Baby?

Dr. Sanjay: IV-FCM is considered safe and effective during pregnancy, with growing evidence supporting its use from the second trimester onwards.

• Maternal Outcomes: FCM corrects anemia rapidly. In the large Indian real-world PROMISE study involving 1,191 pregnant women, a single course of IV-FCM increased hemoglobin by approximately 2.8 g/dL within four weeks and by 3.6 g/dL among women with severe anemia , alongside significant improvement in iron stores.

• Neonatal Outcomes: FCM does not cross the placenta and has not been shown to adversely affect the baby. Studies report no negative impact on birth weight, five-minute Apgar scores, or fetal growth.

Are There Any Side Effects?

Dr. Sanjay: Women are typically observed for 30 minutes after infusion, and hemoglobin levels are reassessed after four weeks. IV-FCM is generally well tolerated. Mild side effects such as nausea, headache, dizziness, temporary increases in blood pressure and infusion-site reactions may occur.

How Bihar Is Expanding Access to IV-FCM Therapy

Dr. Sanjay: Bihar has procured around 2 lakh doses of IV-FCM. The rollout is expected to strengthen anemia management closer to communities through district hospitals and community health centers.

The program will improve access to advanced anemia treatment, particularly in rural areas where anemia prevalence among pregnant women exceeds 63 per cent.

India has achieved a significant milestone in its organ donation movement, with more than 5 lakh people pledging to donate their organs, according to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

The achievement reflects growing public awareness of organ donation as a life-saving act that can offer hope and a second chance to patients awaiting transplants. It also marks a major step forward in the government's efforts to promote voluntary organ and tissue donation across the country.

Government Highlights Growing Awareness

In a statement, the Health Ministry said the milestone demonstrates increasing public participation and trust in the organ donation ecosystem.

"The Government of India remains steadfast in its commitment to bridging the gap between the demand and availability of organs and tissues through sustained awareness generation, enhanced institutional capacities, and strengthened transplantation systems."

The ministry added that efforts continue to ensure organ transplantation practices remain ethical, equitable, transparent, and patient-centric.

Also read: US Hospital Performs World's First HIV-to-HIV Lung Transplant, Offering Fresh Hope for HIV Patients

PM Modi's Appeals Boosted Organ Donation Movement

The organ donation campaign has gained momentum in recent years, aided by repeated appeals from Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his monthly radio program, Mann Ki Baat.

In the 131st episode, the Prime Minister highlighted the growing awareness around organ donation and its impact on healthcare.

"Awareness about organ donation is steadily rising in India these days. This is helping those who are in need of it. It is also strengthening medical research in the country. Many organizations and individuals are doing extraordinary work in this direction," the Prime Minister said.

Read More: AI Cannot Replace Doctors, It Can Only Complement, Says Dr Santosh Sivaranjani

Organ Transplants Quadruple In A Decade

According to the latest government data, India has witnessed a fourfold increase in organ transplants over the last decade.

• 2013: Fewer than 5,000 organ transplants
• 2025: Nearly 20,000 organ transplants

Online Portal Simplifies Registration

To make the process more accessible, the government launched an Aadhaar-based online organ donation pledge portal in 2023.

The platform, notto.abdm.gov.in, allows citizens to register their organ donation pledge securely and transparently.

Officials say the portal has significantly streamlined the registration process and encouraged greater public participation.

How To Become An Organ Donor

According to the All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS), you can choose to be a donor while you are alive, or your family can give their permission after you pass away.

The Organ Retrieval Banking Organization (ORBO) helps coordinate this entire process. If you want to donate your organs after you die, you can pledge to be a donor now.

Steps to pledge organ donation:

1. Fill Out the Donor Form

• Obtain the organ donor form from ORBO or register online through the national portal.

• The form must be signed by two witnesses, including one close family member.

• Send the completed form to ORBO or complete the online registration process.

• Registered donors receive a donor card along with a registration number.

• Share your decision with family members and keep your donor card accessible so your wishes are known.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued a red heat-health alert across the Midlands and southern England until June 25, warning that extreme temperatures could pose a risk to everyone's health—not just vulnerable groups.

The alert, the highest level in the UK's heat warning system, comes as temperatures continue to rise and authorities warn of potential health emergencies, travel disruption and strain on critical infrastructure.

"Red heat health alert issued for East of England, East Midlands, London, South East, South West, and West Midlands. An amber heat health alert was issued for the North East, North West, and Yorkshire and The Humber," the agency said.

The UKHSA warned that many people struggle in hot weather and reminded the public that heat-related illnesses can become serious very quickly.

"Heat exhaustion and heatstroke are serious and potentially life-threatening conditions," the agency said in a post on X.

What Does A Red Heat Warning Mean?

A red warning is the most severe level of heat alert issued by UK authorities. It indicates:

• A high likelihood of risk to life
• Significant impacts on health services
• Potential power outages
• Disruption to road and rail networks
• Damage to property and infrastructure

The warning is scheduled to remain in force from 09:00 BST on June 24 until 21:00 BST on June 25. The Met Office has advised people to avoid unnecessary travel where possible and follow guidance from emergency services and local authorities.

This is only the second time such a warning has been issued since the UK's extreme heat warning system was introduced in 2021. The first red heat warning was issued during the record-breaking heatwave of July 2022.

As temperatures climb, several schools across western England have announced early closures due to concerns about pupils and staff spending prolonged periods in overheated classrooms, the BBC reported.

Also read: WHO Sounds Alarm on Europe's Extreme Heat: Here's How Hot It Could Get Across Countries

Symptoms Of Heat Exhaustion

The NHS says heat exhaustion usually improves if a person cools down within 30 minutes.

Common symptoms include:

• Tiredness
• Dizziness
• Headache
• Nausea or vomiting
• Excessive sweating
• Pale, clammy skin
• Muscle cramps in the arms, legs, or stomach
• High body temperature
• Intense thirst
• Irritability

Symptoms Of Heatstroke

Heatstroke is a medical emergency and requires immediate treatment.

Warning signs include:

• Very high body temperature
• Hot skin with little or no sweating
• Rapid breathing
• Fast heartbeat
• Confusion or agitation
• Seizures
• Loss of consciousness

How to Prevent Heat Exhaustion And Heatstroke

Health officials recommend taking the following precautions during periods of extreme heat:

• Drink plenty of water and cold fluids throughout the day
• Increase fluid intake if exercising or spending time outdoors
• Wear loose-fitting, lightweight and light-colored clothing
• Use a hat and sunglasses when outdoors
• Stay out of direct sunlight between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., when temperatures are typically highest
• Avoid excessive alcohol consumption.
• Reduce intense physical activity during the hottest parts of the day.

Check on Vulnerable People

Older adults, young children, pregnant women and people with long-term conditions such as diabetes or heart disease are at greater risk of heat-related illness.

The NHS urged people to regularly check on family members, neighbors and friends who may need assistance during extreme temperatures.