WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION

The 2021 National Drug Price Negotiation (NDPN) policy in China significantly improved availability and utilization of anticancer drugs, with a notable decrease in cost, though regional disparities persist. The study highlights the policy's success in enhancing drug accessibility and affordability, yet calls for continuous monitoring to further improve drug availability.

WHO approved Bavarian Nordic's MVA-BN mpox vaccine for adults, with conditional use for babies, children, teens, and pregnant women in outbreak settings. Critics argue the vaccine's safety and efficacy in pediatric populations are unproven, questioning WHO's approval. The vaccine, sold as Jynneos in the US, is also criticized for diverting resources from broader public health issues in Africa.

COVID vaccines have saved over 1.4 million lives in WHO's European region. SARS-CoV-2 continues to evolve, affecting immunity. Australia has updated vaccines four times, now considering a fifth targeting JN.1. JN.1 vaccines should protect against newer subvariants like FLiRT and FLuQE. Regulatory bodies like the FDA and TGA are evaluating JN.1 vaccines, with Moderna and Pfizer's Spikevax and Comirnaty under review in Australia. Safety and efficacy data show improved immune responses against newer variants. Novavax, a protein-based vaccine, offers an alternative for those unable to receive mRNA vaccines. Challenges include vaccine uptake and quicker approval processes.

FDA approves Roche's Ocrevus Zunovo for MS and Eli Lilly's Ebglyss for eczema. Walgreens to pay $106.8 million for fraudulent billing. WHO supports Bavarian Nordic's mpox vaccine distribution in low-income countries.

FDA approves Roche's subcutaneous MS treatment; Walgreens to pay $106.8M for prescription fraud; WHO approves mpox vaccine for global access; China to promote marriage and childbirth; Eli Lilly's eczema drug gets FDA approval; studies on mammography and heart disease, video visits for end-of-life care; Uganda's mpox cases rise; Nebraska allows abortion ballot measures; Pfizer targets rare lung cancer mutation.

DOH warns against unauthorized mpox vaccines; WHO prequalifies MVA-BN vaccine for mpox, emphasizing urgent scale-up for equitable access.

Cascadia's U.S. Senators voted on major issues during the legislative week ending September 13th, 2024, including bills to counter Chinese government influence, bar contracts with Chinese biotechnology firms, respond to Hong Kong's erosion of autonomy, and exclude vehicles with Chinese-made components from federal tax credits. The Senate also confirmed several district court judge nominations.

WHO prequalified MVA-BN as the first mpox vaccine, aiming to boost access and contain outbreaks. Bavarian Nordic plans to supply 10 million doses by 2025. The vaccine is 99.2% effective after two doses, according to CDC data.

CSL and Arcturus Therapeutics' KOSTAIVE®, the first self-amplifying mRNA COVID-19 vaccine, was approved for adults in Japan, targeting the JN.1 Omicron subvariants, with distribution starting in October.

NICHE-3 study, approved by NedMec, enrolled adults with dMMR resectable colon adenocarcinoma. Patients received nivolumab and relatlimab, followed by surgery. Primary endpoint was pathologic response (≤50% RVT), with secondary endpoints including safety and survival. Study used a Simon’s two-stage design, aiming for a response rate of 85%. Pathologic response was assessed by central histopathologic review. Safety and efficacy populations were defined, with binary endpoints reported as proportions. MMR status was assessed via immunohistochemistry.