3 Things A cancer drug to get cheaper, Punjab fence demand, and a wife frames husband
Jan 23, 2026
Sohini Ghosh, a healthcare journalist, discusses a pivotal Delhi High Court ruling allowing a cheaper version of nivolumab, questioning the intersection of public health and patent rights in India. Then, Kanchan Vasdev, a reporter specializing in Punjab issues, explains farmers' demands to relocate the security fence near the Pakistan border due to access constraints. Lastly, a bizarre case from Lucknow reveals a wife's attempt to frame her husband over cow slaughter, leading to legal turmoil for police officers involved.
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Court Favours Access Over Short Patent Hold
- Delhi High Court prioritized public interest to allow an Indian firm to sell a biosimilar before patent expiry.
- The ruling signals courts may weight affordability over short remaining patent terms for life-saving drugs.
Nivolumab's Wide Clinical Reach
- Nivolumab is an immunotherapy that boosts the immune system to attack tumours and can be used across many cancers.
- Its broad effectiveness made it a global blockbuster and central to cancer treatment advances.
Price Drop May Still Exclude Many
- Current vial prices in India range roughly from Rs 45,000 to Rs 1,00,000 depending on strength and market deals.
- Even a biosimilar reduction to one-quarter or half may still leave treatment unaffordable for many patients.