Heart attacks and strokes are among the leading causes of death globally, with millions suffering from cardiovascular diseases (CVD) every year. There are more than seven million people in the UK alone, with about 100,000 patients experiencing heart attacks annually. However, a group of researchers at University College London (UCL) estimate that one 'polypill' taken daily day could eliminate a majority of these cases dramatically lowering death tolls.

The proposed polypill, a combination of a statin and three blood pressure-lowering drugs, has been under study for over two decades. Experts argue that introducing this pill universally for individuals aged 50 and above could be more effective than the current NHS Health Check, which assesses risk factors every five years for those aged between 40 and 74.

Studies have repeatedly proven the effectiveness of the polypill in preventing CVD. A groundbreaking 2019 study in The Lancet found that five years' use of the polypill cut the risk of heart attack and stroke by a third. In addition, previous modelling analyses have estimated that if given universally to people over 55, the polypill might be able to prevent 80% of heart attacks and strokes.

Today, the NHS Health Check follows a risk-based model in which patients are tested for CVD risk factors and treated with drugs accordingly. Yet, as per UCL's study, this system has serious flaws:

Low Uptake: Just 40% of those eligible for the NHS Health Check choose to have it, leaving a considerable number of at-risk patients undiagnosed and untreated.

Ineffective Prediction of Risk: The majority of heart attacks and strokes happen to people at average risk levels, thus making it challenging to identify the need for intervention effectively.

Limited Effectiveness: Even at maximum take-up, the NHS Health Check programme is predicted to have fewer health impacts compared to a polypill initiative applied to the whole population.

Simplicity and Affordability of the Polypill Strategy

One of the big benefits of the polypill is that it is so easy. In contrast to the existing screening-based model, the polypill scheme would not involve complicated medical tests or lengthy risk assessments. Instead, people reaching 50 would just have to fill out a few questions to determine possible side effects before they were prescribed.

Professor Aroon Hingorani of the UCL Institute of Cardiovascular Science, one of the strongest proponents of this scheme, says:

"Finally, the time is now to do much better on prevention. A population approach would prevent a lot more heart attacks and strokes than is done today with a strategy of trying to target a smaller group only."

Aside from the possible health implications, the polypill is also an economic solution. The drugs used are off-patent, thus cheap to produce and distribute. With the vast economic cost of managing CVD-related illnesses, a preventive model could result in substantial cost-saving for the NHS in the future.

The polypill has been proven to be effective by numerous international trials. In 2019, a randomised trial in rural Iran discovered that participants who took the polypill for five years had a 34% reduced risk of having a heart attack or stroke compared to non-participants.

Likewise, modelling research has indicated that even if only 8% of people aged over 50 took up the polypill regimen, it would still be more beneficial to their health than the NHS Health Check programme.

Is This a Case of Over-Medicalisation?

One of the main objections to the polypill strategy is the suggestion that it might result in the unnecessary medicalisation of a significant proportion of the population. But, it is argued, it should be considered as a preventative measure, not as mass medication.

Professor Sir Nicholas Wald of UCL's Institute of Health Informatics explains:

"Instead of being a 'medicalisation' of a significant proportion of the population, a polypill programme is a prevention measure to prevent an individual from becoming a patient."

He compares it with public health measures like water fluoridation or compulsory seatbelts—interventions that have been shown to have a significant impact in reducing public health danger at low individual cost.

With the evidence in favour of the polypill's effectiveness and viability overwhelming, experts are calling on the NHS to act now. It is their belief that substituting the NHS Health Check with a polypill-based prevention program could be the UK government's flagship policy under its pledge to put disease prevention ahead of cure.

As Professor Hingorani points out, "The status quo is not a justifiable option." With CVD still a major cause of death globally, taking a population-wide polypill approach could be a turning point for preventative medicine, potentially saving thousands of lives annually. The question now is whether the NHS will take up this call and establish a policy with the potential to transform the prevention of cardiovascular disease on a national level.

With the launch of generic versions of Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro, the demand for these weight loss and diabetes medications is skyrocketing in India. Amid the rising demand, there is also a surge of counterfeit jabs—often sold through unregulated online vendors—that can endanger lives.

According to a Reuters report, Indian drug regulators have seized more than 260 suspected counterfeit pens of Eli Lilly's popular obesity and diabetes drug Mounjaro, worth Rs 7 million, ‌from the northern state of Haryana.

The suspected fake pens were recovered from a vehicle on the outskirts of New Delhi, and were kept under improper temperature conditions and appeared in different font sizes compared with the original product, which ⁠raised suspicion of being counterfeit.

The Haryana Food and Drug Control Administration has also arrested two people accused of making and selling the drugs. The primary accused did not have a pharmaceutical license and made the products at a private property, Drug Control Officer Amandeep Chauhan told Reuters. They had ordered peptides used in the drugs and other raw materials from vendors on the Chinese e-commerce platform Alibaba.

The arrested duo also sold the pens on the online marketplace IndiaMART at a 27 per cent discount to the original drug's price, ⁠Chauhan said.

While samples have been sent to government-run laboratories for confirmation, Eli Lilly and Company (India) spokesperson issued a statement welcoming the action against illicit medicines.

Noting that it "takes patient safety extremely seriously", the company stated that it's "actively supporting the investigation and will continue to work with regulatory and law enforcement authorities worldwide to protect patients from the risks of counterfeit products".

Also read: Lehengas, Diets & Now Mounjaro: The New Must-Have For Indian Brides?

Can Fake Ozempic/Mounjaro Pens Turn Dangerous?

The short answer: extremely. The risks go far beyond inefficacy. Some fake jabs contain:

• Insulin – Can dangerously drop blood sugar, leading to seizures or coma.
• Toxic substances – Seized products have been found to contain mercury, cement, and rat poison.
• Bacteria – Due to non-sterile production environments, leading to infections.
• Wrong or mixed medications – Including none of the intended drug at all.

Read More: Can Weight Loss Jabs Surge Divorce Rates? What Experts Are Saying

How To Identify Counterfeit Ozempic/ Mounjaro Pens?

Counterfeit products may have

• spelling errors,
• instruction leaflets not in English,
• unsealed packaging,
• changes in the size, shape, or appearance of medicine

These are indicators that the medicine has not been produced by the original manufacturer or is being illegally sold in the wrong market.

Further, counterfeit drugs are often sold on social media platforms like Instagram, TikTok, or salon backrooms.

Also read: India To Strictly Inspect GLP-1 Drugs To Curb Misuse: Govt Flags Risks Amid Weight-loss Hype

Another major lure of counterfeit Ozempic/Mounjaro is the price tag—black-market versions are often heavily discounted. But remember: this comes at the cost of your health, safety, and potentially, your life.

If you’re unsure about a product, consult your pharmacist or primary care provider. Always ensure that any medication you take has been prescribed by a qualified healthcare provider and obtained from a licensed source.

As Bangladesh grapples with a surge in highly infectious measles cases, neighboring Indian states Meghalaya and Tripura are strengthening preventive measures by ramping up vaccination drives and intensifying surveillance, particularly in border districts, to curb any potential spillover and contain the spread of the disease.

As per media reports, Bangladesh is reporting more than 1,100 suspected infections in a single day. The vaccine-preventable measles has also claimed the lives of 98 children in the country’s one of the worst outbreaks.

Measles: Response In Meghalaya

To strengthen early detection and response in Indo-Bangla border areas, the Meghalaya government conducted an orientation-cum-preparedness meeting last week at the Amlarem Sub-Divisional Office with district administration and health department officials, the Border Security Force, community leaders, and grassroots workers, including ASHAs and Anganwadi workers.

Dr A Khonglah, sub-divisional medical and health officer, Amlarem, informed of a few suspected cases in the state, The Times Of India reported. Khonglah noted there was “no cause for panic”, but stressed that early reporting was critical for timely testing and treatment.

In a notification issued on Monday, Meghalaya’s state health department called for stepping up surveillance in East Khasi Hills District.

“Immediate corrective measures are required in response to ongoing measles outbreaks in Bangladesh and the heightened risk in border districts and blocks. It is imperative to strengthen surveillance, early detection, reporting, and response mechanisms across all sectors in East Khasi Hills District,” the notification said.

The state health department directives include:

• All fever with rash cases (suspected measles) in any age group should be reported immediately to the nearest health facility/ANM/medical officer.
• Ensure close coordination with the health department and World Health Organization (WHO) for timely investigation and response.
• Any child suspected of measles should be strictly restricted from attending school/AWC until complete recovery.
• The measles-suspected child should remain isolated at home with minimal contact to prevent further transmission.
• Sensitize teachers and Anganwadi Workers to identify symptoms of fever with rash.

Tripura: Closely Monitoring Measles Trends

Similarly, Health officials in Tripura are also assessing the prevailing measles and rubella situation, with a focus on vaccination coverage and containment measures.

The officials in a review meeting focused on evaluating infection trends, immunization progress, and the effectiveness of ongoing containment strategies, Northeast Today reported.

Mission Director of the National Health Mission (NHM), Saju Vaheed A on Sunday visited Unakoti district to assess the prevailing measles and rubella situation, with a focus on vaccination coverage and containment measures.

The director reviewed data on vaccination coverage and stressed the need for close monitoring of vulnerable areas.

Also read: Measles Again On The Rise Globally: Is India At Risk?

Measles: Sporadic Outbreaks In India

Since the beginning of the year, India is seeing sporadic outbreaks of measles. Madhya Pradesh's Gwalior reported three outbreaks, and Morena six.

Over January and February 2026, 41 children were diagnosed with measles in Tikari village in Madhya Pradesh.

However, swift action by health authorities with proactive frontline engagement and data-driven rapid response prevented an escalation into large measles outbreaks. These sporadic outbreaks also highlighted the critical importance of measles-rubella (MR) vaccination in protecting children and communities.

Measles in Bangladesh

As per official data, till April 19, Bangladesh recorded 3,443 confirmed measles cases and more than 23,600 suspected infections.

While over 12,000 patients have recovered, the outbreak has resulted in at least 36 confirmed deaths and 181 deaths among suspected cases, MNTV reported.

In response, Bangladesh has vaccinated more than 1.9 million children against measles and rubella in an emergency nationwide campaign.

Health Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Husain said the situation has begun to stabilize due to early intervention, adding that vaccine supplies remain sufficient to sustain the campaign through June.

What Is Measles?

Measles is a highly contagious virus that spreads through direct contact or through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It is a vaccine-preventable disease that can cause devastating complications, including blindness, pneumonia, encephalitis, and long-term immune dysfunction.

Symptoms typically appear seven to 14 days after exposure and may include:

• high fever,
• cough,
• runny nose,
• red eyes,
• rashes across the body.

To safeguard against measles, individuals should ensure timely vaccination, especially for children.

Maintaining good hygiene, such as frequent handwashing and covering the mouth while coughing or sneezing, helps reduce transmission.

Avoiding close contact with infected individuals and ensuring proper nutrition to boost immunity are also important.

Public awareness and community health programs play a crucial role in prevention.

Weight loss drugs appeal to many for their convenience, but according to some experts, there are a number of noteworthy side effects. From rapid weight gain to sagging skin, several side effects of weight loss drugs have been identified through studies. Now, new research has found that weight loss drugs can cause more muscle loss than clinical expectations. The results, presented at the American College of Physicians Internal Medicine (ACP-IM) meeting in San Francisco, add to existing evidence on the possible adverse effects of GLP-1.

Why does muscle loss occur during weight loss?

When a person loses a considerable amount of weight, they also lose bone mass, muscle mass, and some connective tissue. Experts at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill found that no studies directly associate muscle loss with a decline in physical function or strength. However, this clinical gap underscores the need to assess strength and mobility alongside weight loss in patients receiving this therapy. The systematic review identified 36 randomised clinical trials that measured changes in muscle mass and fat among adults using incretin-based obesity medications such as tirzepatide, dulaglutide, or semaglutide.

Each study measured body composition using MRI, CT scans, and bioelectrical impedance analysis. Most of them used DEXA along with other methods to obtain information about lean muscle mass, bone mineral density, and the distribution of body fat. The average age of participants ranged from 20 to 63.7 years. Only four studies included participants aged 60 years and above. None of the studies focused on adults aged 65 years or older.

Average muscle loss on weight loss drugs

Researchers noted a concerning trend: patients’ estimated muscle loss exceeded the 25 per cent threshold. Clinicians had expected a 25 per cent reduction, but not more than that. Experts also found that 68 per cent of people who used the drugs exceeded the 25 per cent benchmark, compared to 50 per cent of those who relied on placebos and lifestyle interventions. None of the studies measured whether the loss of muscle mass was correlated with function or strength loss.

Muscle mass diminishes with age

Despite being a concerning side effect of weight loss drugs, muscle mass is likely to diminish anyway with age. Additionally, the loss is more significant in older adults. Therefore, doctors advise caution when prescribing these drugs to individuals who are more prone to losing muscle function at an advanced age. Ideally, doctors should recommend exercise or physical therapy to patients taking weight loss medications.

The final word

According to experts, weight loss drugs do have a positive side — and that extends beyond obesity treatment. These drugs are also beneficial for diabetes and help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. However, it is important to support treatment with the right kind of diet and a proper exercise regimen. Solely depending on the medication can lead to weight gain once it is discontinued. Therefore, for healthy weight loss, it is best to rely on sustainable methods for long-lasting results.