Health

Digital Receipts: A Healthier and More Sustainable Future

Expert Insights from Dr. Ganesh Dhanuka, Internal Medicine & Nephrology Specialist, International Modern Hospital

As daily transactions become increasingly digital, a growing body of research is shining light on the hidden health and environmental risks of traditional thermal paper receipts. These slips—common in supermarkets, restaurants, retail stores, and ATMs—often contain bisphenol chemicals such as BPA and BPS, known endocrine disruptors linked to hormonal imbalance and potential long-term effects.
Dr. Ganesh Dhanuka, a highly experienced Internal Medicine & Nephrology Specialist at International Modern Hospital, highlights the urgent need to re-evaluate how receipts are currently used and handled.

The Push Toward Digital Receipts for Better Health and Environment

According to Dr. Dhanuka, shifting entirely toward digital receipts can play a significant role in reducing health risks associated with thermal paper.
He explains that BPA and BPS, widely used in thermal printing, can be absorbed through the skin—especially among retail workers who handle receipts repeatedly throughout the day.

“A full transition to digital receipts would significantly reduce public exposure to chemicals found in thermal paper. These substances are known endocrine disruptors and are linked to several health concerns. Digital systems are safer, practical, and much more environmentally responsible,” says Dr. Dhanuka.

Beyond health, thermal paper contributes to environmental waste as it is not easily recyclable due to its chemical coating. Digital systems, by contrast, eliminate unnecessary paper use and reduce carbon footprint.

Are There Safe Alternatives to Thermal Paper?

Dr. Dhanuka confirms that several safer solutions already exist:

Phenol-free thermal paper, which uses non-phenolic developers and is considered less harmful
Ink-based POS systems, which rely on traditional ink rather than heat-activated chemicals
Fully digital receipts, delivered through email, SMS, or QR code

“These alternatives reduce exposure to harmful chemicals and are more sustainable for both consumers and workers,” he notes.

Global Regulations: A Growing Trend

Several countries and health authorities have already taken action to limit or ban the use of BPA-containing thermal paper:

The European Union banned BPA in thermal paper in 2020.
U.S. states such as California and Massachusetts have strict controls and require disclosure of safer alternatives.
Organizations like OSHA recommend minimizing thermal paper exposure, especially for retail workers.

Many global retailers have voluntarily shifted to digital receipts as part of wider sustainability and health-protection policies.

Should Local Health Authorities Introduce Regulations?

Dr. Dhanuka strongly believes that introducing new regulations at the national level would be beneficial.

“Reducing or phasing out thermal paper containing BPA or BPS will protect workers who handle receipts frequently, reduce exposure among vulnerable groups like pregnant women and children, and support long-term environmental sustainability,” he says.

He recommends a gradual regulatory approach—starting with mandatory labeling, followed by reduction, and eventually complete elimination of harmful thermal receipts.

How to Reduce Reliance on Paper Receipts: Practical Solutions

Dr. Dhanuka outlines several strategies that businesses and community members can adopt to accelerate the shift toward safer alternatives.

A. Technological Solutions

Make digital receipts the default option.
Use QR codes that allow customers to instantly download their invoices.
Offer email or SMS receipts at checkout.
When physical copies are needed, use ink-based printing systems instead of thermal paper.

B. Public Awareness

Launch awareness campaigns about the potential health risks of BPA/BPS exposure.
Educate staff to avoid using hand sanitizers before handling receipts, as they increase chemical absorption.
Encourage consumers to choose digital options whenever possible.

C. Business-Level Policies

Introduce “Digital Receipt First” policies in major malls, supermarkets, and retail chains.
Offer incentives or recognition for businesses that successfully transition to digital systems.
Place visible signage promoting digital receipts as healthier and eco-friendly alternatives.

Toward a Safer, Smarter, and Greener Future

With safer alternatives readily available and digital technology becoming the norm, Dr. Ganesh Dhanuka emphasizes that the time is right for a nationwide transition to digital receipts. Such a move would drastically reduce exposure to harmful chemicals, protect workers and consumers, and contribute to a more sustainable environment.

As the UAE continues advancing in digital transformation and public health leadership, adopting safer receipt systems can be a small but meaningful step toward a healthier society.

Health

Novartis: Rare muscle disease drug shows early promise

Novartis (NOVN.S), opens new tab said on Thursday an experimental drug, which it acquired as part of its $12 billion takeover of ‌Avidity, showed promise in an early-to-mid-stage study in patients with a type of genetic muscle disorder characterized by slowly progressive muscle weakness.

The Swiss ⁠drugmaker said the drug, known as del-brax, lowered two blood markers linked to the disease and showed reduced signs of muscle damage in patients with facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy.
Novartis said the drug shows potential to become the first disease-modifying ‌treatment ⁠for FSHD, which can cause weakness in the face, shoulders, arms and other muscles.
The company estimates it affects about 45,000 to ⁠87,000 people in the U.S. and EU.
The drug’s safety profile was consistent with previous ⁠results, the company said.
Novartis plans to discuss the data with health regulators ⁠around the world, while a late-stage study of the drug is currently enrolling patients.

The Thomson Reuters

Health

Obesity drug shows promise in reducing belly and liver fat

Boehringer Ingelheim said on Sunday its experimental obesity drug cut visceral and liver fat while minimizing loss of lean mass in ‌a late-stage study, data showed, bolstering its case for benefits beyond weight loss as competition in obesity drugs intensifies.

The drug, survodutide, was licensed from Denmark’s Zealand Pharma (ZELA.CO), opens new tab. An injectable that mimics the proteins GLP-1 and glucagon to create a feeling of fullness, its weight-loss trial results were announced in April, showing patients lost an average of 16.6% over 76 weeks.

Analysis of a group of patients who had MRI measurements at the start and end of a 76-week trial showed that survodutide reduced harmful ⁠abdominal fat by up to 34% and liver fat by up to 63.1% from the baseline, Boehringer said.

Analysts have said the weight-loss numbers were broadly comparable to existing GLP-1 injections from Novo Nordisk (NOVOb.CO), opens new tab and Eli Lilly (LLY.N), opens new tab and below newer rivals in development, and that the company needed to differentiate the drug’s benefits.

Lean mass accounted for no more than 10.8% of the change in body composition at the highest dose of 6 milligrams, suggesting the weight loss was driven mainly by fat reduction.

The drug’s effect on liver-fat reduction and preservation of lean mass are central to whether it will be able to stand out commercially, alongside tolerability and how long patients stay on the drug. Detailed data from the study could help Boehringer make a ‌stronger case ⁠that survodutide should be judged not only by pounds lost but by where weight is lost.

“We believe survodutide will become an important new option at the intersection of obesity and liver disease, two conditions that are deeply connected but rarely addressed together,” said Boehringer executive Shashank Deshpande, who leads the company’s human medicines business.

Boehringer acquired the rights in 2011 to solely develop and commercialise survodutide from Zealand, which is ⁠entitled to royalty payments on global revenue.

PATIENTS WITH LIVER DISEASE BENEFIT

In a separate late-stage study of overweight or obese patients with a fatty liver disease called MASLD, survodutide met both its main goals.

After 48 weeks, up to 84.2% of patients on the drug showed ⁠a liver fat reduction of at least 30%, compared with 24.3% for those on placebo. Patients on survodutide also lost up to 12.2% of their body weight, versus 1% for placebo.

In 61% of the patients the drug helped achieve liver fat ⁠normalization, or a liver fat content below 5%, compared with 5.7% on placebo.

U.S. biotech Altimmune (ALT.O), opens new tab is also developing a drug that targets both the appetite-suppressing gut hormone, GLP-1, and glucagon.

Survodutide is also being tested in other late-stage studies, including for patients with fatty liver disease and fibrosis.

REUTERS

Health

Millions with breast cancer could safely skip chemotherapy

Millions of people with breast cancer could safely avoid chemotherapy as scientists have developed a DNA test that can distinguish between patients who are likely to benefit from the treatment and those who are not, according to trial results.

The international study found that more than two-thirds of its participants could be spared the side of effects of chemotherapy and treated with hormone therapy alone.

Chemotherapy can cause fatigue, nausea, hair loss, a weakened immune system and fertility issues.

The study, led by University College London (UCL), involved more than 4,000 newly diagnosed patients over the age of 40 in the UK, Norway, Sweden, Australia, New Zealand and Thailand.

Scientists used a gene test called Prosigna to measure the activity of 50 genes involved in breast cancer growth and calculate a patient’s risk of the disease returning.

Those who received a low score – two-thirds of the group – were not treated through chemotherapy. The five-year survival rate of their group was 93.7%, compared with a 94.9% rate among patients who received chemotherapy as part of their care.

The primary treatment for breast cancer is usually surgery to remove tumours. Chemotherapy is often recommended afterwards to diminish the risk of return.

It is also regularly offered to people with early-stage breast cancer that has spread to the nearby lymph nodes.

Clinicians are concerned the treatment provides little benefit to those with the most common type of breast cancer, UCL said.

The university said more than 5,000 NHS patients a year could avoid chemotherapy as a result of the trial.

Karen Bonham, from Cardiff, took part in the trial and said the results are an “immense relief” and feel “like Christmas”.

The 64-year-old avoided chemotherapy thanks to the Prosigna test and has instead received radiotherapy and hormone therapy over eight years.

“Cancer diagnosis and treatment can be shocking,” she said.

“It certainly propels you into a world of uncertainty. Life priorities realign – you simply want to survive.”

The findings of the study will be presented at the world’s largest cancer conference, the American Society of Clinical Oncology’s annual meeting, in Chicago, United States, on Saturday.

Professor David Miles, a leading cancer specialist, described the findings as “practice-changing”.

“We can now confidently predict many patients will get no benefit at all, and therefore there’s no need for them to have the chemotherapy,” he told BBC’s Newshour.

He added that the test would allow doctors to “confidently define a large population of women who simply aren’t going to benefit and don’t need to go through all that unpleasantness for no benefit at all.”

“We used to give chemotherapy to 100 women to benefit 10, knowing that 90 didn’t need it,” he said.

Tanya Hutson, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2022 and had chemotherapy as part of her treatment, called the new DNA test “absolutely amazing”.

“It just proves what happens when money is put into research,” she said, adding that chemotherapy had been “brutal”.

“For all these people out there who don’t need it but are still getting it – it’s an absolute game changer.”

It is not known whether the findings apply to people under the age of 40, with a result still several years away, according to UCL.

BBC