WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION

Doctors warn of risks from knock-off versions of Ozempic, emphasizing the importance of pharmaceutical-grade medications prescribed by licensed doctors to avoid potential harm from unregulated sources.

References discuss lenalidomide maintenance in myeloma patients, profiling second primary malignancies, therapy-related myeloid neoplasms, and clonal hematopoiesis.

BARDA selected opaganib for joint development & funding as a medical countermeasure to treat Ebola virus disease. Opaganib showed a statistically significant increase in survival in an in vivo EBOV model, advancing on the FDA Animal Rule pathway. The 10th anniversary of the West Africa Ebola epidemic highlights the urgent need for effective therapies, with EBOV proving fatal in around half of all cases. Opaganib, a novel host-directed drug, has shown mutation-resistant antiviral and anti-inflammatory activity, representing an alternative therapeutic strategy for biodefense and global health preparedness.

This article examines the complexities of managing symptoms with medication in palliative care, emphasizing the importance of correct decisions to minimize harm. It highlights the challenges in medication management, including assessment, medication choice, dose, and anticipatory prescribing. The role of patients, carers, and professionals in the process is discussed, along with the need for clear communication and coordination across different care settings. The article underscores the significance of patient and family education, technology, teamwork, and support to ensure effective symptom management at the end of life.

Article references on menopause, including physiology, symptoms, and management, as well as socioeconomic and lifestyle factors affecting age at natural menopause, and the impact of menopause on various aspects of health such as sleep, cognition, and mood.

New research highlights the potential of a point-of-care HCV RNA assay (Xpert HCV) to expedite diagnosis and treatment in high-risk settings, particularly among individuals under community supervision. Study results showed that 30 individuals, including 2 with acute HCV infection, could have received immediate diagnosis using this assay. The FDA granted marketing authorization for the Xpert HCV test in June 2024, simplifying the HCV testing process. The test demonstrated high sensitivity (96.8%) and specificity (99.4%) for detecting HCV RNA, but its use in community supervision settings remains unexplored.

Multiple African countries begin mpox vaccine rollout to combat rapid spread; DR Congo most affected with 22,000 infections and 700 deaths; WHO recommends three vaccines: MVA-BN, LC-16, and ACAM2000; vaccines advised for high-risk groups; Rwanda first to roll out vaccines, also battling Marburg virus; WHO monitoring for virus mutations and adjusting strategies as needed.

Unprotected anal sex as the receptive partner increases mpox risk among gay and bisexual men fivefold, according to a CDC study. A second report highlights the spread of a drug-resistant mpox strain in the U.S., emphasizing the need for additional therapeutics. Vaccination with Jynneos remains the most effective prevention method, though vaccine protection wanes within a year.