Despite Medicare’s decision to cover Wegovy, a weight-loss drug, for seniors with obesity and heart disease, many doctors report difficulty in obtaining coverage for their patients. While Medicare prohibits coverage for weight-loss medications, the drug’s high cost and limited coverage raise concerns about access for older Americans.
Tonix Pharmaceuticals has reiterated its commitment to developing its live attenuated virus vaccine, TNX-801, as a potential solution to prevent mpox and other infectious diseases. TNX-801, based on horsepox virus, offers advantages like single-dose administration and improved tolerability compared to older vaccinia vaccines.
While the World Health Organization declared a global emergency for Mpox outbreaks, India’s Health Ministry maintains a low risk of surge in the country. Despite 30 confirmed cases since 2022, the last case was reported in March 2023. The ministry is taking precautionary measures including issuing advisories to entry points and holding a meeting to review the situation.
Following the brutal rape and murder of a young doctor in Kolkata, doctors across India are staging a nationwide strike demanding improved safety measures and swift action against violence against healthcare professionals. The Union health ministry has ordered hospitals to file police reports within six hours of any reported violence, and the Indian Medical Association (IMA) is spearheading the strike, which will disrupt most medical services except emergencies.
Incyte Corporation announced positive results from a Phase 3 trial evaluating Monjuvi (tafasitamab) for relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma, potentially expanding its use beyond diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. The trial met primary and key secondary endpoints, indicating the drug’s efficacy and safety.
Pfizer and BioNTech’s combined mRNA vaccine for influenza and COVID-19 has shown mixed results in a Phase 3 trial. While it met one of its primary immunogenicity objectives, it demonstrated lower responses against the influenza B strain compared to a licensed flu vaccine. The companies are evaluating adjustments to improve the vaccine’s effectiveness.
Parvovirus B19, known for its distinctive ‘slapped cheek’ rash, is experiencing a surge in the US, prompting a health alert from the CDC. While the virus is common, doctors are observing an unusual number of complications among pregnant individuals and those with blood disorders. The CDC recommends preventive measures like handwashing and avoiding close contact with those who are ill.
The FDA has approved AstraZeneca’s Imfinzi (durvalumab) in combination with chemotherapy for adult patients with resectable early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who do not have certain genetic mutations. This approval is based on positive results from the AEGEAN trial, demonstrating a significant reduction in the risk of recurrence and improved pathological complete response rates. Imfinzi is also being evaluated for use in limited-stage small cell lung cancer.
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) advises travelers to regions of Africa affected by monkeypox to consider getting vaccinated due to a new, potentially more severe strain. While the WHO declared a global emergency, the ECDC assesses widespread transmission risk as low. The new Clade 1b strain has been linked to hundreds of deaths in the Democratic Republic of Congo, highlighting its potential for rapid spread and increased severity.
The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) is actively monitoring the situation of mpox in India, conducting serosurveys and maintaining ongoing surveillance. Despite the WHO declaring mpox a global public health emergency, India has not reported any new cases since last year. The ICMR is collaborating with Serum Institute of India to develop a vaccine, and the country is taking proactive measures to prevent a major outbreak.
