Until law, GLP-1 drugs were used to treat diabetes, obesity and even the recent evidences suggest that it could as well be used to treat chronic kidney problems. There is yet another research, published in JAMA Psychiatry on February 25, titled Once-Weekly Semaglutide in Adults With Alcohol Use Disorder: A Randomized Clinical Trial that explores if GLP-1 receptor agonist semaglutide reduce alcohol consumption and cravings in adults with alcohol use disorder.

What Do Studies Say?

The research was conducted over a period of 9 weeks, where in the randomized clinical trial, the participants who were administered semaglutide, it led to reductions in some but not all measures of weekly consumptions. It also reduced weekly alcohol and craving related to placebo, and also led to a greater relative reduction in cigarettes per day.

The research also found that weekly injections of semaglutide, which is the active ingredient in weight loss drugs like Wegovy also helped reduce cravings in people with alcohol use disorder.

The lead author Christian Hendershot said that these findings will help in developing new approaches to treat alcoholism. "Two drugs currently approved to reduce alcohol consumption aren't widely used. The popularity of Ozempic and other GLP-1 receptor agonists increases the chances of broad adoption of these treatments for alcohol use disorder," said Hendershot in news release by the University of Southern California's Institute for Addiction Research, where he is the director.

The study is government-funded research and was funded by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, part of the National Institutes of Health.

How Was The Study Conducted?

The study was small, and took in account for only 48 adults over two months, thus experts say that it is not yet clear how safe these drugs are for people who do not need to lose weight. Though the results do add up with the evidence form animal studies on drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy on how it helps manage cravings, not just for food, but also for tobacco and alcohol. Scientists are also studying these drugs on smokers, people with opioid addiction and cocaine users.

Co-author Dr Klara Klein of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill who treats people with obesity and diabetes said, "This is such promising data. And we need more of it. We frequently will hear that once people start these medications that their desire to drink is very reduced, if not completely abolished."

Why Does It Work So Well Against Alcoholism?

The GLP-1 receptor agonists work by mimicking hormones GLP-1 in the gut and brain that regulates appetite and feelings of fullness. This response is what helps one lose weight, and what helps one curb their craving for alcohol. These drugs that mimic the functioning of your brain, which is responsible to tell your body when to stop consuming, are the same hormones that tell your body about other kinds of consumptions, including alcohol. Therefore by consuming the weight loss drugs one can treat alcohol use disorder.

However, the researchers have pointed out on the limited data on the research and have suggested to continue using the three approved drugs by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, namely, Disulfiram, Naltrexone, and Acamprosate to treat alcohol use disorder until large studies confirm these findings.

Europe is facing a record heatwave, and the extreme heat has reportedly claimed 212 lives in Spain between June 21 and June 24, according to estimates from a public institute.

The estimate is based on the MoMo monitoring system, which collects daily statistics on deaths in Spain and calculates variations in mortality by comparing them with predictable levels based on historical data.

Record June Temperatures In Spain

Mainland Spain this week recorded its highest daily average temperatures in June since at least 1950, with Monday's figure of 28.08°C followed by 28.17°C on June 23, AFP reported.

Those two days also marked the highest average minimum temperatures for June since 1950, with 20.14°C recorded on Monday and 19.81°C on June 23. These so-called "tropical nights" make sleep challenging and can threaten public health.

Spain had also recorded its highest heat-related mortality for the month of May since records began in 2015, as per data from the Health Ministry. As per the MoMo system, May 2026 recorded 101 deaths attributable to high temperatures, the highest figure for this month since the series began in 2015.

Heatwave Triggers Alerts Across Europe

Also read: WHO Sounds Alarm on Europe's Extreme Heat: Here's How Hot It Could Get Across Countries

The extreme heat is not limited to Spain. The June 2026 heatwave has triggered red alerts across France, Spain, Italy, and the United Kingdom, and killed dozens of people.

In France, the heatwave forced the early closure of major Paris tourist attractions, including the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre Museum. At least 40 people have drowned seeking relief from the heat since June 18, as per the French Prime Minister

Poultry farmers across France say that hundreds of thousands of their livestock have died during the extreme heat.

The UK has provisionally recorded its warmest June night on record, surpassing a record set in 1976. Temperatures could climb to 37-38°C, potentially breaking the June heat record for a second consecutive day.

In Italy, heatwave leaves 4 dead as 17 cities face red alert. Authorities warn even healthy people are at risk as temperatures remain dangerously high.

WHO Warns of Growing Health Risks

“Europe’s heatwave is closing schools and putting people’s health at risk. The data are clear: temperatures across Europe are rising at roughly twice the global average rate, increasing the likelihood and severity of extreme heat in the future,” Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, shared in a post on social media platform X.

“We cannot afford further delay. Leaders must prioritize investment in climate-resilient health systems, while also accelerating #ClimateAction and mitigating the drivers of the climate crisis,” he added.

What Is Driving the Extreme Heat?

Read To Know: UK Met Office Warns of 'Pollen Bomb': What Hay Fever Patients Need to Know

According to meteorologists, the soaring temperatures are being driven by a weather pattern known as an "omega block".

This blocks cooler Atlantic air from entering the region while drawing hot air northward from North Africa and the Sahara. The persistent high-pressure system acts like a lid, trapping heat near the ground and allowing temperatures to climb steadily over several days.

How Does Heat Impact Health?

Health experts warn that prolonged exposure to extreme heat can have serious and sometimes fatal consequences, particularly for older adults and people with underlying medical conditions.

According to the WHO, extreme heat can overwhelm the body's ability to regulate temperature, increasing the risk of heat exhaustion and heatstroke. As the body works harder to cool itself, it places added strain on the heart and kidneys, potentially worsening chronic conditions such as cardiovascular, respiratory, mental health and diabetes-related illnesses, and increasing the risk of acute kidney injury.

The health impact of heat depends on factors such as its intensity, duration and timing, as well as how well people and local systems are adapted to high temperatures.

Tips to Beat the Heat:

To reduce the health risks associated with extreme temperatures, the WHO suggested to:

• Stay hydrated - Drink enough water throughout the day. Bring a refillable water bottle. Avoid excessive caffeine and alcohol.
• Watch your urine color - Dark yellow may indicate you are not drinking enough water.
• Wear light clothing – Opt for breathable, loose-fitting light-colored clothes and a hat to shield yourself from the sun.
• Use sunscreen – Apply SPF 30+ sunscreen regularly to protect your skin.
• Seek shade – Take breaks in shaded areas or air-conditioned spaces when possible.
• Know the signs of heat illness – Watch for dizziness, nausea, or confusion. Seek medical help if needed.
• Cool down – Use wet towels, misting fans, or splash water on your face and arms to enhance thermal comfort.
• Stay well – if you have a medical condition or take medicines regularly, check with your doctor.

India has taken a significant step to strengthen the safety and authenticity of medicines by expanding its QR code-based drug traceability system.

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has amended the Drugs Rules, 1945, bringing additional categories of medicines—including vaccines, anti-cancer drugs and antimicrobials—under the Schedule H2 track-and-trace framework.

The move is aimed at enhancing supply chain transparency, curbing counterfeit medicines and enabling patients to verify key details about their medicines through a simple QR code scan.

In 2025, the government made it mandatory for the top 300 pharmaceutical companies to print or affix QR (Quick Response) codes on the packaging of the medicines they sell.

The new amendment significantly expands its coverage to include:

• Vaccines
• Antimicrobials
• Anti-cancer medicines
• Narcotic and psychotropic drugs

Also read: India Ends OTC Sale of Cough Syrups, Doctor's Prescription Now Mandatory

What Does The Amendment Say?

The amendment applies to all vaccines, antimicrobials, narcotic and psychotropic drugs covered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985.

All anti-cancer drugs have also been included under Schedule H2 of the Drugs Rules, 1945.

What Patients Can Check With The QR Code

According to the Health Ministry, manufacturers of these drug formulations will now be required to print or affix a Bar Code or Quick Response (QR) Code on the primary packaging label of the product or, where there is inadequate space, on the secondary packaging label.

The QR code shall store information that can be accessed through software applications to facilitate authentication and verification of the product throughout the supply chain.

The QR code will contain key product information, including:

• Unique product identification code
• Generic and brand names
• Name and address of the manufacturer
• Batch number
• Manufacturing and expiry dates
• Manufacturing license number
• Details of excipients, wherever applicable.

Read More: Sleeping Too Little or Too Much? Neurologist Explains Health Risks

Why Does This Matter?

The enhanced traceability mechanism is aimed at facilitating authentication of medicines at various stages of the supply chain and enabling improved tracking and verification of drug products, the Ministry noted.

The measure is expected to strengthen regulatory oversight and support efforts to curb the distribution of spurious medicines in the market.

It will also contribute to the national fight against antimicrobial resistance (AMR) by enabling better identification and monitoring of counterfeit and substandard antimicrobial products.

Recognizing the need to provide adequate time to industry and other stakeholders for implementation, the Ministry has also prescribed phased timelines for compliance.

From When Will It Be Applicable?

As per the Ministry, the provisions relating to vaccines, narcotic and psychotropic drugs, and anti-cancer medicines shall come into force from July 1, 2027.

The provisions relating to antimicrobials shall become effective from July 1, 2028.

Increasing Counterfeit Medicines In India

The government's QR code move comes amid mounting concern over counterfeit and substandard medicines in the Indian market.

In May, the Central Drugs Laboratories identified 46 drug samples as Not of Standard Quality (NSQ), while State Drugs Testing Laboratories identified 113 drug samples as Not of Standard Quality (NSQ), according to the Health Ministry.

Further, one drug sample from Assam was identified as a spurious drug. It was manufactured by unauthorized manufacturers using a brand name owned by another company. The matter is under investigation and action will be taken as per the Act and Rules.

After a hantavirus outbreak aboard the luxury cruise ship MV Hondius sparked global concern in May, the World Health Organization (WHO) said its outbreak response is expected to conclude on July 2 if no additional cases are reported.

The WHO had recommended active health monitoring for all evacuated passengers for 42 days from their last exposure date, either in designated quarantine facilities or at home. The monitoring period ended on June 21.

The rat-borne virus outbreak claimed three lives and infected 13 people. It was caused by the Andes strain of hantavirus, which carries a risk of human-to-human transmission. There is currently no specific antiviral treatment or vaccine for the virus.

The Dutch-flagged ship departed from Ushuaia, Argentina, on April 1, visiting remote islands in the South Atlantic Ocean, including Tristan da Cunha, before heading to Tenerife in Spain's Canary Islands, where the remaining passengers were evacuated.

Hantavirus: Over 650 Contacts Traced Across 33 Countries

Also read: Immunotherapy Shows Early Promise Against Severe Hantavirus Lung Disease: Study

In a post on social media platform X, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that more than 650 contacts were identified and monitored by health authorities across 33 countries and territories.

"All but 54 contacts have completed their period of quarantine, and the remaining contacts are scheduled to complete their quarantine period by July 2," he told a press conference at WHO headquarters in Geneva.

"If no further cases are reported by then, WHO will consider the outbreak to be over," he added.

The WHO chief noted that the WHO would continue efforts to better understand both the outbreak and the virus.

The UN health agency is working with partners who collected environmental samples from the ship and is coordinating a study among those exposed to better understand how the disease develops.

"We are also working on having a sample of the virus shared with the WHO BioHub in Switzerland," he said.

"This will be important for developing diagnostics, therapeutics, and vaccines for future outbreaks."

Hantavirus: CDC Ends US Response

Read More: Can Hantavirus Spread Through Semen And Breast Milk? What Experts Say

Meanwhile, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which officially ended its hantavirus outbreak response on June 24, said none of the 18 Americans who were aboard the cruise ship became ill during the outbreak or the subsequent 42-day incubation period.

“The successful conclusion of this response demonstrates the strength of a coordinated response to infectious disease threats that occur outside of our borders,” said CDC Acting Director Jay Bhattacharya in a statement.

“I am grateful for the world-class team at CDC, whose dedication and swift action helped identify potential exposures, provide clear guidance, and protect the American people. As a result, we prevented any new cases from arising in the US."

What Is Hantavirus?

According to the WHO, hantaviruses are zoonotic viruses that naturally infect rodents and are occasionally transmitted to humans.

Globally, an estimated 100,000 to 200,000 hantavirus infections occur each year, with the majority reported in Asia, particularly China. Most cases are sporadic or occur in small clusters linked to contact with infected rodents.

In humans, hantavirus infection can cause severe disease and may be fatal, although the clinical presentation varies depending on the virus strain and geographic region.