WORLD HEALTH ORGANISATION

Two new clinical trials involving 95 participants demonstrate that replacing bread with specific Indian mango varieties produces similar or lower glycemic responses in type 2 diabetes patients.

India's Subject Expert Committee has recommended upgrading Biological E's Corbevax COVID-19 vaccine from emergency use authorization to full drug approval for individuals aged 5 years and above after reviewing extensive safety and efficacy data.

• Indigenously developed HPV test kits for cervical cancer screening were launched in Delhi, targeting the seven to eight most common cancer-causing HPV types specific to India's population. • The RTPCR-based diagnostic kits, validated through collaborative research led by AIIMS Delhi, offer a cost-effective alternative to traditional Pap smears and HPV DNA tests for national cancer screening programs. • With cervical cancer being the second most common cancer among Indian women and accounting for 25% of global mortality, these kits align with WHO's recommendation for HPV testing as the preferred screening method.

• Lenacapavir, a twice-yearly HIV prevention drug, is being fast-tracked for registration in South Africa, potentially revolutionizing the fight against new infections. • Clinical trials have demonstrated lenacapavir's high effectiveness, with up to 100% protection against HIV in certain groups, marking it as a promising preventative measure. • South African regulatory authorities are expediting the approval process, leveraging international programs to reduce review times from years to months. • The drug's long-acting formulation enhances adherence to treatment, but its cost-effectiveness is under review to ensure affordability for the South African healthcare system.

The European Medicines Agency's advisory committee issued a positive opinion on lenacapavir for pre-exposure prophylaxis, marking the final regulatory hurdle before formal approval by the European Commission.