The Union Health Ministry implemented a ban on 156 "irrational" FDC medicines, effective immediately. These medicines, including widely used antibiotics, painkillers, and multivitamins, were commonly used to treat fever, cough, and infections. The ban was imposed due to the associated health risks and lack of therapeutic justification for the ingredients in these FDCs.

What are FDC medicines?

FDCs or fixed-dosed combinations, also known as "cocktail drugs," are medications that combine multiple drugs in a single pill. They are designed to treat multiple symptoms or conditions simultaneously. While they offer convenience, they can pose significant risks. These risks include the possibility of overdose, adverse interactions between the drugs, and the development of antibiotic resistance. Additionally, many FDC medicines lack sufficient scientific evidence to support their safety and efficacy.

Expert opinions on FDC medicines

Experts have raised concerns about the use of FDC medicines. They believe that many of these combinations lack sufficient scientific evidence to support their safety and effectiveness. Additionally, the combination of multiple drugs in a single pill can increase the risk of adverse side effects and interactions with other medications.

Experts have also found that FDC medicines may not be as effective as individual drugs in treating certain conditions. It is important to note that safer and more effective alternatives are available for most of the medical conditions that FDC medicines were used to treat. One particular concern is the inclusion of antibiotics in some FDCs. Overuse of antibiotics can contribute to the development of antibiotic resistance, a major public health threat.

The risks of FDC medicines

The use of FDC medicines can lead to adverse effects, including serious ones. Additionally, safer alternatives, tested in clinical trials, are available to treat the same medical conditions. Experts recommend prescribing drugs individually based on a patient's clinical symptoms rather than combining them in FDCs.

The ban on irrational FDC medicines by the Union Health Ministry can be seen as a positive step towards promoting rational drug use and protecting public health. The goal is to eliminate unnecessary and potentially harmful drug combinations. This is a step forward in reducing the risks associated with medication and ensure safer and more effective treatment options for patients.

The Democratic Republic of Congo's Ebola outbreak has become the deadliest in the country's history, with more than 2,300 deaths and almost 5000 cases reported. Yet the World Health Organization (WHO) says the outbreak can still be brought under control within the next three months if they get the resources they urgently need.

The outbreak, caused by the Bundibugyo species of Ebola virus, was declared in May and has now spread to six provinces. At least 2,325 people have died among nearly 4,945 confirmed cases, according to Reuters.

It has already surpassed the previous record for deaths from Ebola in the DRC and has become the second-deadliest Ebola outbreak ever recorded globally, behind the 2014-2016 West African epidemic.

The situation has turned grim as health teams are struggling to keep pace with transmission. Around 70% to 80% of new cases have no known link to previously identified infections, suggesting that the virus is spreading through chains that surveillance teams have not yet detected.

WHO Says The Outbreak Can Still Be Contained

Despite the alarming numbers, WHO officials say the window for containment has not closed and that it can be controlled within the next few months.

Thierno Balde, WHO's regional emergency director for Africa, said the outbreak could still be brought under control within three months if sufficient resources are made available.

“About the next plan for the three months, yes, if you have the necessary resources, I think it will be possible to do that,” Balde told Reuters.

One of the biggest problems in front of the authorities is that the response is underfunded. Of the estimated $115 million needed for the next phase of the response, only about 60% has been raised.

WHO is therefore pushing for additional international support while attempting to expand surveillance, treatment and community-level response.

Also read: DR Congo Ebola Outbreak Becomes Deadliest In Country's History As Death Toll Hits 2,325

Why Is This Ebola Outbreak Challenging To Control?

One of the biggest challenges is that health workers are finding many infections outside the existing contact-tracing network.

Normally, once an Ebola case is identified, teams trace people who have been exposed, monitor them and rapidly isolate anyone who develops symptoms. That system becomes much less effective when people with Ebola have no known connection to an existing case.

Conflict and population movement are contributing to the expanding outbreak. WHO has warned that the response is taking place in a remote and densely populated setting.

Health workers are also struggling with limited resources and delayed salaries. Several reports of protests among Ebola response workers over unpaid wages also surfaced recently.

Also read: Ebola Outbreak Is Claiming 1 Life Every 30 Minutes In DR Congo: UN Humanitarian Official

Course Of Action For Next 3 Months

The current epidemic is caused by Bundibugyo virus, rather than the Zaire Ebola virus responsible for some of the largest previous outbreaks.

There is currently no approved vaccine or specific treatment for Bundibugyo Ebola, although candidate vaccines and treatments are being evaluated. WHO has said work is underway to test promising candidates.

WHO's three-month target does not mean the outbreak will automatically end in 90 days. It means health authorities believe rapidly scaling up the response could still interrupt transmission before the epidemic becomes even more difficult to control.

The response is already being expanded, with additional treatment capacity, including around 400 new beds, and more epidemiologists being deployed to affected areas.

A key chemical used in many gel nail polish products has been banned in England, Wales and Scotland.

The “gel nail ban” applies to one ingredient — Trimethylbenzoyl Diphenylphosphine Oxide, commonly known as TPO. It is used in some gel manicures to help the polish achieve a glossy finish and cure properly.

What Is TPO?

TPO (Trimethylbenzoyl Diphenylphosphine Oxide) is a photoinitiator commonly used in UV- and LED-cured nail products. It makes the varnish more durable and helps it hold its color for longer.

When Did the Gel Nail Ban Start?

The European Union banned TPO in cosmetic products from September 1, 2025. In the UK, the ban came into effect on August 15.

The ban means manufacturers can no longer sell new products containing TPO. However, salons can continue to offer gel manicures using existing TPO-containing products until February 14, 2027, or until their stocks run out.

Nail technicians will not be able to purchase new stock containing TPO. TPO-containing products continue to be used in the US, Australia and Asia.

Why Has TPO Been Banned in the UK?

The ban follows several animal studies that linked TPO to long-term fertility damage and reproductive issues.

Caroline Rainsford, Director of Science at The Cosmetic, Toiletry and Perfumery Association (CTPA), said the EU ban was based on the chemical's hazardous properties and how a substance might behave in a “worst-case” situation when the body is exposed to a very large amount.

“This is not how TPO is used in cosmetics. The amount of this ingredient used in nail products is over a thousand times less than the amount which could have any negative effect on fertility, and these products are applied to the nail, so the potential for the ingredient to be absorbed into our bodies is even smaller,” Rainsford was quoted as saying in media reports.

What Will Salons Use Instead?

TPO is used only in some gel polishes and is not found in traditional air-dried nail polishes. There are already TPO-free gels on the market, and many salons use these products. While some alternatives may belong to the same chemical family, different compounds have different safety ratings.

TPO-free gel systems now use alternative photoinitiators that meet regulatory standards while still delivering similar results.

TPO-free options are available across:

• Gel polish
• Builder gels
• BIAB-style systems
• Extension and overlay products

How to Maintain Healthy Nails

• Include foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, lean proteins, and iron.
• Hydrate your nails with regular moisturizing to keep them from becoming brittle.
• Trim nails when they are soft and don't cut too far down.
• Select non-toxic polishes and minimize use of harsh removers.
• Replace stress-relief activities with stress balls to break nail-biting habits.
• Smoking stains nails with nicotine and damages overall nail condition.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has declared a national outbreak of Salmonella in the UK, with health officials suspecting a possible link to imported eggs.

According to the UKHSA, 207 confirmed cases were detected between August 11, 2025, and August 1, 2026, with the majority reported in 2026. Of those affected, 38% were admitted to hospital, and one person has died.

Where Have Cases Been Reported?

Cases have been reported across the UK:

• England: 199 cases
• Scotland: 6 cases
• Wales: 1 case
• Northern Ireland: 1 case

Among cases in England, London reported 47 cases, the highest number, followed by Yorkshire and the Humber with 38 cases.

Imported Eggs Suspected as Possible Source

The UKHSA identified an increase in Salmonella Enteritidis infections caused by a single strain through whole-genome sequencing (WGS) data.

The agency has launched an investigation to identify the source of the outbreak. Initial findings suggest that the outbreak may be linked to eggs imported from outside the UK. However, the source has not been definitively established, and investigations are continuing.

Dr Kathleen O'Reilly, Associate Professor at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, said the investigation involves identifying additional cases and examining possible common sources of infection.

Dr Damien Tully, Associate Professor at the Medical Research Council at LSHTM's Uganda Research Unit, added that the number of confirmed cases is likely to be “just the tip of the iceberg.”

What Is Salmonella?

Salmonella is a bacterial infection that commonly causes diarrhea and gastrointestinal illness.

Common symptoms include:

• Diarrhea
• Stomach cramps
• Vomiting
• Fever

Salmonella is generally a self-limiting infection. However, young children, older adults and people with weakened immune systems can develop more severe complications.

These may include bloodstream infections, infections at other sites, sepsis and multiorgan failure.

How Does Salmonella Spread?

The UKHSA stated that Salmonella Enteritidis is the most common Salmonella serovar in England and a leading cause of salmonellosis.

Like other non-typhoidal Salmonella infections, it can spread through contaminated food, including:

• Eggs
• Poultry
• Meat
• Unpasteurized dairy products
• Fresh produce

The bacteria can also spread through contact with contaminated environments or from person to person.

How To Reduce Salmonella Risk

Dr O'Reilly advised fully cooking eggs before eating them and maintaining good food hygiene.

Key precautions include:

• Cook eggs thoroughly, including omelettes that remain runny.
• Wash your hands with soap after handling food and during food preparation.
• Clean chopping boards and utensils after preparing food.
• Check food hygiene ratings when choosing catering outlets.

People who develop diarrhea or stomach cramps should rest and drink plenty of fluids. Young children, older adults and other vulnerable people who become ill should seek medical advice.

Salmonella Outbreak in US

The US is also experiencing a Salmonella outbreak linked to eggs. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) upgraded the recall to its highest risk level and classified nearly 1.6 million dozen eggs as “Class I.” The agency defines a Class I recall as a situation in which there is a reasonable probability that exposure to the affected product could cause serious adverse health consequences or death.

The FDA said illness usually occurs 12 to 72 hours after consuming food contaminated with Salmonella, with symptoms typically lasting four to seven days.