The FDA has approved Moderna's mRNA-based influenza vaccine, mFLUSIVA, for US adults aged 50 and over, marking the first mRNA flu vaccine authorized in the US, leveraging technology from the Covid-19 pandemic.
Researchers identified key enzymes in toxic plants wolfsbane and larkspur, demonstrating how to recreate complex diterpenoid alkaloids in the lab for future medicines.
AstraZeneca CEO Sir Pascal Soriot, 67, is under scrutiny for a potential $400bn merger with Bristol Myers Squibb, which could jeopardize his legacy and expose the company to debt and patent cliff risks.
Syngenta will stop selling paraquat in Australia due to new regulations making it commercially unviable, despite the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) finding no increased Parkinson’s disease risk from approved uses. The decision follows June's restrictions to mitigate acute exposure and animal risks.
Australia's Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has warned about a "rare but severe" eye disorder, non-arteritic anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy (NAION), linked to type 2 diabetes and obesity treatments like Ozempic and Mounjaro. The warning, based on 36 reported cases, advises patients to seek urgent medical attention for sudden vision loss but not to stop treatment without consulting a doctor.
Astronauts on long Mars missions face medicine expiration. A UC San Diego study proposes growing pharmaceuticals mid-flight, cultivating cowpea mosaic virus (CPMV) on plants in simulated microgravity. This method could provide fresh medicine, addressing issues like blood clots and routine ailments experienced on the ISS.
Russia has deployed the Koshchey hexacopter to Ukraine's special military operation area, enabling stealthy delivery of water, provisions, and medicines to hard-to-reach units. The upgraded drone can also drop 10-kg anti-tank mines and has an operating range of up to 30 km.
The European Commission expects EU generic medicines to be exempt from new U.S. tariffs announced by Donald Trump, citing a 2025 transatlantic trade deal. Trump's plan, aiming to boost U.S. pharmaceutical production, proposes 100% tariffs on generic drugs by 2028, escalating to 200% in 2029.
US President Donald Trump announced a phased tariff regime on imported generic medicines, starting with zero duty for two years, then 100% for one year, and 200% thereafter, effective August 1, 2026. The policy aims to encourage domestic pharmaceutical manufacturing and protect US citizens.
Novo Nordisk is suing Eli Lilly, alleging "false and misleading" advertisements for its weight-loss and anti-diabetes treatments, Zepbound and Mounjaro. Novo Nordisk claims Lilly used outdated studies comparing its highest doses against lower doses of Novo Nordisk's drugs, creating a deceptive impression of superiority. Eli Lilly defends its ads, citing the Surmount-5 trial as the only direct comparison.
Online networks are reportedly 'gamifying' violence and encouraging self-harm, targeting children in games like Roblox and Minecraft, with cases globally. Meanwhile, Iran declares 'full-scale war' with the US, and Andy Burnham becomes the UK's new prime minister, pledging to end rough sleeping.
China's market approvals in the first half of the year were dominated by domestically produced novel drugs, accounting for over 80% of clearances. This includes CARsgen Therapeutics' Satri-cel, the world's first CAR-T treatment for solid tumors, and Neuracle Medical Technology's implantable brain-computer interface system.
Human trials for a new Ebola vaccine, developed by Oxford University using technology similar to the COVID-19 vaccine, have been approved by UK regulators. The vaccine targets the Bundibugyo species of Ebola, responsible for an ongoing epidemic in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Fitness influencers associated with Gencore Global, a UK wellness brand, are promoting illegal steroids and performance-enhancing drugs through an underground Telegram network. The network, rebranded as Anabolic By Nature, was initially called Rohm. Experts warn of a blurred line between fitness culture and illegal drug promotion.
Health groups and doctors urge Andy Burnham to scrap the UK-US trade deal on medicines, warning it prioritizes pharmaceutical profits over NHS patients and could lead to hundreds of thousands of avoidable deaths due to increased drug costs.
An Indian senior citizen's experience with US healthcare, detailing exorbitant medicine costs (Rs 2,500 in India vs. Rs 42,000 in the US) and delayed service, has gone viral. The account highlights perceived advantages of living in India, such as affordable services and conveniences.
A UK-US pharmaceutical trade deal may cause 229,000 excess deaths in the UK by 2036 due to diverted NHS funding, according to BMJ research, as billions are allocated to US medicines with no additional NHS funding
Analysis suggests a UK-US trade deal agreed last December will force the NHS to divert £45bn from essential services to pay for new medicines by 2036, potentially causing over 200,000 avoidable deaths. Ministers defend the deal, while health experts and campaign groups express alarm over its impact on patient care.
US pharmaceutical company Indivior will withdraw its "life-saving" opioid dependency drug Sublocade from the Australian market by December 31, citing commercial reasons. The decision has alarmed doctors and pharmacists, who note Sublocade's effectiveness and patient preference over alternatives like Buvidal. This follows AstraZeneca's recent withdrawal of Zoladex, also due to commercial viability concerns.
India launched "Operation Amistad" sending two IAF C-17 aircraft with a field hospital and over 35 tons of relief supplies to Venezuela following devastating earthquakes. The operation includes a 41-member Indian Army medical team and BHISHM Cubes, as the death toll in Venezuela rises to 235.
Australia's APVMA will allow the continued use of the herbicide paraquat, banned in over 70 countries, with stricter conditions. Despite calls from Parkinson's groups and scientists citing a strong correlation, the regulator found no causal link.
A comprehensive review of IVF add-ons found most lack reliable evidence of effectiveness, offering false hope and financial strain to patients. Only three showed weak evidence of possible benefit.
BRICS member nations will utilize the bloc's common reserve funds for mutual support, according to Russian Security Council Secretary Sergey Shoigu. The reserves will include resources like hydrocarbons, fertilizers, LNG, oil, and medicines to ensure certainty and reliance among member countries.
Australia's APVMA will continue to allow the use of the herbicide paraquat, banned in over 70 countries, with stricter conditions. Despite calls from Parkinson's groups and scientists citing a correlation with the disease, the regulator found no causal link.
