“I'm not great at the advice. Can I interest you in a sarcastic comment?”

This is what ‘Friends’ actor Matthew Perry’s character Chandler Bing was known for. He was known for being funny. However, he had his own struggles in his personal life and those struggles were acute depression. He was treating it with ketamine infusion therapy which is legal in the US and the UK.

What is Ketamine infusion therapy?

Ketamine is an anaesthetic used to treat depression, anxiety and pain under supervised and controlled medical settings. However, it does have its side effects, which can lead to distortion of sight, sound and time. It can also produce calming and relaxing effects.

Ketamine increases a person’s heart rate and blood pressure. If overdosed, it can leave users confused and agitated and can cause them to hurt themselves without even realising it. It can also lead to liver damage and bladder problems.

However, when used in moderation and under the supervision of medical doctors, it can treat depression where traditional antidepressants have failed.

Prof Rupert McShane, a University of Oxford psychiatrist who runs an NHS ketamine treatment clinic told BBC that ketamine “probably turns off the area of the brain that is involved in disappointment.”

Can Ketamine Infusion Therapy Kill Someone?

In simple terms, it cannot, be if the dosage is given in a controlled setting and as prescribed. Ketamine infusion therapy uses drugs in small doses than those used for anaesthesia. It acts faster than traditional anti-depressants, but the effects also wear off way quickly. Which is why it is important to monitor patients’ mental state for relapsing back into depression and discouraging them from overdosing on it.

There are ways of giving people ketamine. One of the ways is through “infusing”, which means to use an IV drip. However, injections, nasal sprays and capsules are also methods used to give people ketamine.

Since the dosage of ketamine used in the infusion treatment is small, it being the reason of actor Perry’s death was ruled out. The medical examiner also noted that Perry’s last ketamine infusion therapy session happened more than a week before his death, which means by the time he had died, it must have worn off.

So, What Happened To Perry?

Though Perry’s last session was more than a week before, his post-mortem showed that his blood contained a high concentration of ketamine. He had died of the “acute effects” of ketamine.

If it was not his session, then how did he get ketamine?

Prosecutors alleged that his assistant gave him at least 27 shots of ketamine in four days before his death, reported BBC.

Perry has been open about his personal struggles and this is what the doctors and dealers used against him. Martin Estrada, the US attorney for California’s Central District told the BBC that people took advantage of his condition. They charged him 165 times more than what vials of ketamine cost.

Names that have come up include Dr Salvador Plasencia, drug dealers “Ketamine Queen” aka Jasveen Sangha and Eric Fleming, and Perry’s live-in assistant Kenneth Iwamasa.

Who Are These Names And What Did They Do?

Ketamine Queen or Sangha supplied drugs that led to Perry’s death. Her home was a “drug-selling emporium,” said Estrada. More than 80 vials of ketamine, and thousands of pills including methamphetamine, cocaine and Xanax were allegedly found in her house known as the “Sangha Stash House.”

Sangha is known to deal with high-end celebs and was a “major source of supply for ketamine to others as well as Perry,” said Estrada.

Dr Plasencia called Perry a “moron” while charging him $2,000 for vials that cost only $12. He sold Perry 20 vials of ketamine between September and October 2023, costing $55,000.

He was the one who taught Iwamasa, who had no medical knowledge to inject the drug. This is after he knew that “Perry’s ketamine addiction was spiralling out of control,” as per what the investigators told the BBC.

Another dealer Fleming was told by Sangha to “delete all our messages.” While Fleming pleaded guilty to conspiring to distribute drugs unlawfully, he also allegedly messaged Sangha: “Please call...Got more info and want to bounce ideas off you. I’m 90% sure everyone is protected. I never dealt with [Perry] only his assistant. So the assistant was the enabler.”

The court documents also revealed that he asked Sangha on whether the ketamine stays in your system or “is it immediately flushed out.”

Dr Pepper, Bots, Cans

The people who allegedly exploited Perry used coded language for ketamine and called it “Dr Pepper”, “bots”, or “cans.”

Selling overpriced drugs, taking advantage of Perry’s mental condition and falsifying medical records to make the drugs given to him look legitimate by Dr Plasencia is what took Perry’s life.

Iwamasa is said to have administered more than 20 shots of ketamine and three on the day Perry died. Whereas ketamine is only administered by a physician. Authorities also found that weeks before Perry’s death, Dr Plasencia allegedly bought 10 vials of ketamine and intended to sell to Perry.

He also injected Perry with a large dose, two days later. This caused him to “freeze up” and spiked his blood pressure.

When I Die, I Want Helping Others To Be The First Thing That’s Mentioned

Perry had always been open about his drug addictions, struggles with alcohol and his depression. He said that his openness would help others who are also struggling and wanted to be remembered by his quote which also is on the homepage of the Mattew Perry Foundation that helps others struggling with the disease of addiction: “When I die, I want helping others to be the first thing that’s mentioned.”

Five arrests have been made in the case so far.

China has reported a rare human case of H1N2v swine flu, underscoring the risk of zoonotic transmission and the importance of continued surveillance of swine-origin influenza viruses.

Swine flu is caused by type A influenza viruses that mainly infect pigs. Human infections are rare and usually occur after close contact with infected pigs. When these viruses infect humans, they are known as variant viruses.

H1N2v differs from seasonal human H1N2 influenza. The “v” stands for variant, indicating a virus of swine origin.

China Reports Human H1N2v Case

China reported its first human H1N2v infection in a 2-year-old boy from Yunnan province.

China notified WHO on February 3, 2026, after the infection was laboratory-confirmed on February 2. The child developed mild illness on January 20 and had reported exposure to domestic pigs before becoming ill.

A study by Chinese CDC researchers, published in Frontiers in Public Health on July 29, found:

• The boy lived near pigs, chickens and pigeons.
• A pig owned by his great-uncle died around the time the child became ill.
• Influenza A was detected in samples from the child and the deceased pig.
• Investigators considered the pig a plausible source, although the exact transmission route could not be established.
• 30 close contacts were monitored; none tested positive or developed influenza-like illness.
• No secondary infections were identified, with no evidence of human-to-human transmission.

No Evidence Of Sustained Human Spread

Dr Amit Prakash Singh, Consultant – Internal Medicine at CK Birla Hospital, Delhi, told HealthandMe that H1N2v is a swine-origin influenza virus that can occasionally infect humans, usually after exposure to infected pigs or contaminated environments.

“As no secondary cases or sustained human-to-human transmission were identified, this should not currently be viewed as a pandemic threat,” he said.

People with frequent pig exposure, young children, older adults, pregnant women and those with underlying health conditions may need greater caution, he added.

Prevention includes avoiding close contact with sick animals, practicing hand hygiene and respiratory precautions, and seeking medical attention for persistent or severe flu-like symptoms.

Previous H1N2v Cases

H1N2v infections have been reported sporadically in the US and Europe, particularly following exposure to pigs.

• CDC surveillance lists 44 confirmed H1N2v infections in the US since 2010 through May 2026.
• During the 2024–25 influenza season, one H1N2v infection was reported in an adult from Iowa. The patient was hospitalized and recovered.
• CDC reported two H1N2v infections during the 2025–26 season by May 2026.

Human H1N2v infections remain rare. Greater concern would arise if there were evidence of sustained person-to-person transmission or changes that allow the virus to spread more efficiently among humans.

H1N2v Symptoms

According to the US CDC, illness caused by variant influenza viruses has generally been mild, with symptoms similar to seasonal flu. These can include:

• Fever
• Tiredness
• Loss of appetite
• Cough
• Runny nose
• Sore throat
• Eye irritation
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea

However, serious illness requiring hospitalization and, in some cases, resulting in death has also been reported.

How Is H1N2v Diagnosed And Treated?

Variant influenza A infection can be diagnosed through respiratory testing. Four antiviral drugs are recommended in the US for treating influenza: oseltamivir, peramivir, zanamivir and baloxavir, the CDC said.

A major counterfeit medicine racket has been busted near Bengaluru, with authorities seizing spurious drugs worth around ₹5 crore from a facility near the Bidadi toll gate.

But the investigation has raised an even bigger concern. Some of the fake drugs may also have entered hospitals, pharmacies and even intensive care units (ICUs).

Karnataka Health Minister U T Khader said the drugs were allegedly relabelled using the names of multinational pharmaceutical companies.

The Food Safety and Drug Administration's drug wing carried out the operation on August 18. Officials suspect the racket could be connected to a wider network spanning multiple states, with counterfeit pharmaceuticals sourced from different places including Himachal Pradesh and Telangana.

Why Are Fake Drugs Dangerous In ICUs?

According to officials, the medicines were allegedly relabelled with the branding of known pharma companies, making counterfeit products appear genuine. This is particularly concerning as fake medicines could become difficult to identify and eliminate simply by examining the packaging.

Authorities are now looking into where these medicines came from, how they got into the supply chain, and which hospitals or pharmacies may have received them. It has not been reported that any hospital has actually administered the fake drugs to the patients.

Counterfeit medicines are always a major public health concern, but the consequences can be particularly severe in an ICU.

Critically ill patients often depend on medicines that have to work quickly at precise doses. Drugs used in intensive care can include antibiotics, medicines to control blood pressure, sedatives, pain medicines and drugs that support organ function.

Also read: From Liquor to Dabur to VKC Nuts, FSSAI Crackdown Puts Food Safety in Focus: Why It Matters

If a counterfeit product contains too little, too much, the wrong ingredient or no active ingredient at all, treatment can fail at the moment a patient needs it most.

For instance, a fake antibiotic may contain insufficient active medicine. In a critically ill patient with a serious infection, that could mean the infection continues to worsen while doctors believe the patient is receiving appropriate treatment. This could delay the correct course of treatment, leading to potential complications.

The opposite problem is also a possibility. An incorrectly formulated medicine could lead to toxicity, allergic reactions, organ damage, or other complications.

The Bigger Problem Of Fake Drugs In The Country

India's drug regulators regularly issue alerts about medicines that fail quality tests, while the Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission's Pharmacovigilance Programme of India publishes drug safety alerts and regulatory information. The Centre has also been strengthening pharmaceutical traceability and regulatory oversight.

Earlier this month, the government notified amendments to the Drugs Rules that allow regulatory authorities to debar applicants who submit misleading, fake or fabricated documents or information to get their drugs approved.

But the Bengaluru case highlights a different challenge. Even when legitimate medicines are properly regulated, counterfeit products can infiltrate the supply chain. Health Minister Khader said the suspected racket could be part of a larger national network, making the investigation particularly crucial.

A 41-year-old South African fitness coach died after collapsing and losing consciousness during the HYROX Bangkok competition. The incident has left Thailand’s CrossFit and combat-sports communities mourning one of its popular figures.

It has also raised concerns about the risks of extreme physical exertion even among highly trained and fit athletes, especially at a high-profile sporting event like HYROX.

According to a statement posted on his Instagram page, Bangkok-based Leroy Saunders collapsed during the event at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre, which was held from August 13 to 16. He was resuscitated at the venue and taken to hospital but later died.

It is important to note that collapsing during an intense fitness event does not mean that it was directly caused by a cardiac emergency, dehydration, heat, or other underlying illness. Therefore, Leroy's family and team have asked HYROX and the media not to speculate reasons behind his sudden demise while the circumstances are still being investigated. No cause of death has been disclosed till now.

Who Was Leroy Saunders?

Saunders was also no stranger to HYROX. In 2025, he competed in the doubles category with Annika Saunders. He completed the race in 1 hour, 17 minutes and 51 seconds.

Also read: Water Or Electrolytes? Biggest Hydration Mistakes First-Time HYROX Athletes Make

What Is HYROX?

HYROX is a competitive fitness competition that pairs endurance running with functional strength training.

Even its name, a blend of "hybrid" and "rockstar," speaks to the blend of cardio and strength. It differs from marathons or obstacle course races in that it has a fixed format in all of its events globally.

Contestants perform eight workout stations, each after a one-kilometer run, in an indoor venue intended to deliver uniform competition conditions.

Participants typically complete repeated 1-kilometre runs interspersed with exercises like sled pushes and pulls, rowing, burpee broad jumps, farmer’s carries, sandbag lunges and wall balls.

This exercise format places considerable stress on the heart, muscles and body’s temperature-regulation system, particularly when performed at high intensity.

Also read: Is 'Hyrox' Challenge Worth The Hype Or Just Another Fitness Trend?

What Could Cause A Fit Person To Collapse During Strenuous Exercise?

Being extremely fit may not make someone immune to sudden health emergencies. During strenuous exercise, the heart has to pump considerably more blood, while the body simultaneously attempts to dissipate heat.

Dehydration, extreme heat, underlying heart conditions, abnormal heart rhythms and other factors can potentially contribute to collapse. But it would be inappropriate to attribute Saunders’ death to any particular one without confirmed medical findings.

This is especially relevant because Bangkok can be hot and humid, conditions that can make strenuous exercise like HYROX even more challenging.

Warning Signs

Athletes or people who exercise intensely on a regular basis should always be on the lookout for physical warning signs. They should never try to push through symptoms like:

• Chest pain or pressure
• Extreme unexplained breathlessness
• Fainting or near-fainting sensation
• Racing or irregular heartbeat
• Confusion, dizziness or disorientation
• Severe weakness or fatigue
• Loss of coordination and balance
• Persistent vomiting
• Extreme overheating