Serena Williams has revealed her use of GLP-1 weight loss drugs, sharing her experience of weight loss and improved well-being after struggling with her body's response to traditional methods. While acknowledging the benefits, she also addressed the stigma surrounding these medications, highlighting the importance of self-care and the potential risks involved.
A total of 96 individuals in Argentina may have died due to bacterial contamination in medical-use fentanyl, with an official count currently at 87 and additional deaths under investigation. Authorities are tracing the source of the contaminated drug to HLB Pharma, which has denied direct responsibility for the outbreak.
China is gearing up for its 11th centralized bulk-buy program, with medical institutions instructed to submit procurement volumes for 55 types of medicines. The program allows institutions to specify brands and requires them to report annual demand that reflects at least 80% of their average usage while accommodating flexibility for essential and pediatric drugs.
President Trump's plan to impose substantial tariffs on European pharmaceutical imports has triggered concerns among European drug companies and investors, leading to a decline in share prices. Several companies are responding by planning significant investments in US drug manufacturing to avoid the tariffs.
Novo Nordisk's stock plummeted after the company announced a new CEO and lowered its profit expectations, citing competition from compounded weight-loss drugs that are impacting Wegovy sales. The pharmaceutical giant is taking steps to combat these copycat drugs, including legal action, while also facing a leadership transition.
China's drug regulators have approved a new, domestically developed flu medication that requires only a single dose for the entire treatment course, representing a significant advancement in influenza treatment. Clinical trials demonstrated the drug's effectiveness in treating the flu, with a low incidence of adverse reactions reported, including minimal gastrointestinal side effects.
China's National Medical Products Administration approved a rice-derived human albumin injection, offering a new treatment for hypoalbuminemia. The product, developed by Wuhan Healthgen Biotechnology, utilizes rice as a bioreactor, potentially reducing reliance on imported albumin and increasing production capacity.
Meta is standing firm on its pay-or-consent model in Europe, a move that could lead to fresh antitrust charges and substantial daily fines from the European Commission. The company maintains it complies with the Digital Markets Act, while regulators believe the model still violates rules designed to curb Big Tech dominance.
Chinese Vice-Premier Liu Guozhong emphasized the importance of improving basic research and technological capabilities in the pharmaceutical sector during his visit to Peking University's School of Pharmaceutical Sciences.
The National Healthcare Security Administration has launched the 11th round of centralized drug procurement, incorporating 55 drug varieties aimed at stabilizing clinical supply and ensuring quality. This procurement excludes innovative drugs and prioritizes established, off-patent products, with a commitment to high standards over low pricing.
Speaker Johnson highlighted a welfare reform bill as a significant step in supporting the vulnerable and holding able-bodied adults accountable, believing it's a message that resonates across America.
President Trump plans to impose tariffs on imported semiconductors and pharmaceuticals, potentially reaching 200% on medicines, while giving drugmakers about a year to adjust. The administration is investigating the pharmaceutical industry due to national security concerns about reliance on foreign drug production, with details on the tariffs expected at the end of the month.
South Africa, a powerhouse in medical research with a history of groundbreaking discoveries against major diseases, is facing a crisis as funding dries up and research facilities close.
Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill is investigating CVS for allegedly misusing customer data to send texts opposing a bill that could impact its operations, specifically concerning pharmacy benefit management.
Senators Bernie Sanders and Angus King introduced a bill to ban prescription drug ads across various media platforms, citing concerns over rising healthcare costs and the influence of pharmaceutical advertising. This initiative is supported by Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Chinese researchers have developed a drug combination that shows greater effectiveness than the current standard treatment for a specific type of lung cancer, leading to a significant increase in progression-free survival. This breakthrough, presented at a major oncology conference, highlights the potential of domestic innovation in cancer treatment.
An experimental AI-powered drug has shown encouraging safety and efficacy results for treating idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis in its phase two clinical trial. Developed by Insilico Medicine, Rentosertib targets a newly identified protein and significantly shortens the traditional drug development timeline.
The European Union fined Apple and Meta hundreds of millions of euros for violating new regulations designed to curb the power of Big Tech, marking the first sanctions under the Digital Markets Act. Both companies are challenging the decisions, while regulators continue investigations into other tech giants like Google and X.
In 2023, U.S. spending on weight-loss drugs, particularly GLP-1 class medications, reached approximately $71 billion, a staggering increase from under $14 billion in 2018. This surge correlates with rising popularity fueled by social media and celebrity endorsements, highlighting the ongoing demand for effective weight-loss treatments.
While anxieties grow in Tokyo over potential U.S. tariffs, major Japanese pharmaceutical companies are demonstrating market stability, unlike the downturn seen in sectors like autos and semiconductors.
