Japan could become one of the first countries in the world to end the HIV epidemic, says the president of Gilead Sciences Japan, Kennet Brysting. The idea for now could seem a little too ambitious, but it is not entirely unrealistic, given that the availability of medicines that can prevent transmission of HIV. Drugs are not the cure, but control over the spread of virus to the point where the disease is no longer a major public health threat.

What Is The Role Of Preventative HIV Medicines?

Gilead's have two key drugs, Truvada and lenacapavir. These two are playing a crucial role in prevention. Truvada is taken as a daily pill, while lenacapavir requires two injections per year. It can make the virus undetectable in infected individuals and prevent transmission to those who are not infected yet. In trials, lenacapavir showed 100% efficacy in preventing HIV infections. This is why it is describe as "almost a vaccine".

In 2024, Japan also approved Truvada for HIV prevention, but the country has yet to approve lenacapavir for the same. Until now, people in Japan had been importing generic versions of Truvada or purchasing it from clinics that source it from overseas.

HIV In Japan

Up until now, Japan reported around 25,000 HIV infections, whereas 669 new cases were reported in 2023. For seven consecutive years, the number of new infections remained under 1,000. The downward trend thus shows that the virus has been controlled, however, getting to zero new infections remains the ultimate goal.

Brysting too acknowledged that simply having effective drug is not enough. What is important is to have a proper implementation, access and healthcare support to make sure that these treatments are widely available and effective.

What Are The Challenges In Implementation?

The biggest challenges is testing rates. There is a need to increase testing rates. At this very moment, around 86% people infective with Japan have been tested, but the goal is to increase it up to 95%, with an ideal goal of 100%. Without widespread testing, many infected people may not even know that they are infected and it could transmit the virus.

Another measure issue is the cost of preventative medication. While Japan's health insurance covers treatments for diseases, it does not cover preventative drugs. Those who purchase Truvada for prevention, pay around $470 per month. Some clinics in Tokyo offer generic alternatives too, which is cheaper, but they are not ideal.

Better Healthcare Support

Brysting expressed concern that individuals importing medications might not be consulting doctors regularly, which is essential for monitoring HIV status and overall health. Truvada users need to be tested for HIV initially and every three months, along with screenings for other infections and kidney function checks. Without proper medical supervision, there is a risk of misuse and inadequate protection.

Gilead is in discussions with Japanese authorities to improve access and insurance coverage for Truvada, and progress is being made. Japan has shown efficiency in approving critical medicines, as seen during the COVID-19 pandemic when Gilead’s remdesivir was approved in just three days.

What Is The Way Ahead?

Gilead at this moment is not only focused on HIV and hepatitis C, but also expanding into oncology with innovative treatments like CAR-T cell therapy, which strengthens a patient's immune system to fight cancer.

However, Japan’s strict approval processes can slow down drug availability. Phase 3 clinical trials often need to be conducted within the country, and Japan tends to approve medicines much later than other regions. For instance, Truvada was approved for prevention in Japan 12 years after the U.S. and nearly 20 years after its approval for treatment. inancial factors also play a role. The Japanese government adjusts drug prices annually, often reducing them, which can make long-term investment challenging for pharmaceutical companies.

Indian President Droupadi Murmu, on the occasion of World Sickle Cell Day 2026, today expressed confidence that the country can eradicate sickle cell disease well before the 2047 target.

Addressing the International Sickle Cell Day commemoration at Omkareshwar, Madhya Pradesh, President Murmu noted that the National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission, launched in 2023, has so far "screened seven crore people, ranging from newborns to those up to 40 years of age."

Calling it "one of the largest initiatives for genetic disease screening in the world," she added that the mission has detected sickle cell disease "in approximately 2.5 lakh people so far, and over 20 lakh carriers of the disease have also been identified."

"Through the collective strength and active engagement of all states, we will succeed in achieving our national goal of eradicating sickle cell-related diseases from the country well before the year 2047," the President said.

The President highlighted three key dimensions of the mission:

• Spreading large-scale awareness and providing pre-marital genetic counselling;
• Identifying the disease in a timely manner through comprehensive screening; and
• Ensuring continuity of care while guaranteeing a holistic approach to management.

She also stressed the need for collective efforts to raise awareness and eliminate the genetic blood disorder, particularly among tribal communities.

Also read: Sickle Cell Disease: Why India Must Add Curative Treatment to Meet Its 2047 Elimination Goal

What Is Sickle Cell Disease?

Sickle cell disease is an inherited blood disorder that affects the shape and function of red blood cells. Instead of being round and flexible, the red blood cells become sickle- or crescent-shaped, making it difficult for them to move smoothly through blood vessels.

The chronic single-gene disorder causes a debilitating systemic syndrome characterized by chronic anemia, acute painful episodes, organ infarction, chronic organ damage, and a significant reduction in life expectancy.

"Sickle cell disease (SCD) is one of India’s most pressing inherited blood disorders, with an estimated 1 in 86 births among tribal and disadvantaged groups affected," Dr Manisha Madkaikar is Director - ICMR-National Institute for Research on Blood and Immune Disorders – Mumbai, told HealthandMe.

Children living with the condition often experience repeated hospital visits, missed school days and limitations in daily activities. Parents frequently face emotional distress, financial strain and the challenge of managing a lifelong medical condition.

What Is the National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Program?

Read More:No Women Aged 20-24 Died of Cervical Cancer in England Over Five Years, Thanks to HPV Vaccine

The National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Program, introduced in the Union Budget 2023, focuses on addressing the significant health challenges posed by sickle cell disease, particularly among tribal populations in the country.

Implemented across 17 high-focus states, the programme aims to improve care and outcomes for sickle cell disease patients while reducing the prevalence of the disorder. The states are Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Assam, Uttar Pradesh, Kerala, Bihar, and Uttarakhand.

Implemented in mission mode under the National Health Mission (NHM), the program aims to eliminate sickle cell genetic transmission by 2047.

Over a three-year period from 2023-24 to 2025-26, the program targets screening approximately seven crore people, promoting early diagnosis and intervention on a large scale.

Did COVID-19 emerge naturally or from a laboratory leak? Nearly seven years after the pandemic began in late 2019, and despite more than 7.1 million confirmed deaths worldwide and numerous investigations, there is still no definitive answer about the virus's origins.

Now, Tulsi Gabbard, on her last day as the Director of National Intelligence, US, has reignited the debate by alleging that Anthony Fauci, who led the scientific and medical response to the COVID-19 pandemic in America, funded research at China's infamous Wuhan Institute of Virology that contributed to the pandemic.

"The COVID-19 pandemic caused tremendous hardship and pain for millions of Americans and countless people around the world," Gabbard said in a statement.

"After years of lies, censorship, and cover-ups, the American people deserve transparency, truth, and accountability."

What Are the Documents?

According to Gabbard's office, the materials were released following a year-long declassification review conducted by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) as part of President Trump's transparency initiative.

During the review, officials reportedly gathered testimony from intelligence community whistleblowers who alleged they faced retaliation for challenging official assessments of the virus's origins.

Gabbard said the testimony revealed a pattern of suppressing dissenting views, discouraging debate, and sidelining evidence that conflicted with prevailing intelligence assessments.

Also read: COVID-19 Vaccination Reduced Risk of Heart Attacks and Strokes in Elderly by 40%: Study

What Does The Documents Show?

According to Gabbard, the newly declassified communications and documents reveal that

• Fauci worked with intelligence officials to suppress information related to the COVID-19 lab-leak theory and allegedly had a role in directing US funding for coronavirus research.
• Fauci influenced Intelligence Community assessments regarding the origins of COVID-19.
• Fauci misled Congress during his 2024 testimony when he denied knowledge of or participation in discussions with intelligence officials about viral research.
• Fauci held significant influence during the pandemic and occupied multiple roles that shielded him from scrutiny.
• Fauci funded coronavirus research linked to efforts to develop so-called "universal vaccines."
• Fauci selected scientific advisers who encouraged intelligence agencies to support a natural-origin theory while downplaying the lab-leak hypothesis.
• Fauci publicly promoted narratives that discouraged debate over alternative explanations for the origins of COVID-19.
• Fauci maintained close relationships with intelligence officials, enabling him to influence both intelligence assessments and public narratives surrounding the pandemic.
• Fauci's statement — "not to my knowledge about COVID" — was inconsistent with documented communications regarding interactions with intelligence agencies.

Read More: 1 in 6 Americans May Be Suffering From Long COVID, Study Finds

Whistleblower Allegations

Importantly, the declassified materials also include testimony from whistleblowers who claim analysts supporting the lab-leak theory faced professional consequences. These include:

• A contractor was reportedly dismissed shortly after submitting a whistleblower complaint to ODNI.
• Analysts advocating for the lab-leak hypothesis were allegedly warned that career advancement decisions rested with leadership.
• Some whistleblowers claimed senior officials created barriers to anonymous reporting, fostering an atmosphere of intimidation.

Read: COVID Pandemic Left 55,000 Cancer Cases Undiagnosed In 7 Nations, Including Australia and the UK

What Happens Next?

Gabbard said these allegations have been referred to the intelligence community's inspector general for further review.

Whether the allegations lead to congressional hearings, legal action, or additional independent review remains uncertain.

Any conclusions will depend on careful examination of the documents, corroborating evidence, and responses from those named in the allegations. Fauci is yet to comment on the allegations.

The UK's human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination program, initiated in 2018, has achieved a remarkable milestone: no women aged 20 to 24 died from cervical cancer in England between 2020 and 2024, according to a study published in the journal The Lancet.

England introduced the HPV vaccine for girls in 2008 and expanded the program to boys in 2019. By 2024, vaccine coverage among women aged 20-24 had reached nearly 90 per cent.

Researchers found that there were no cervical cancer deaths in this age group during the five-year period, compared with an estimated 23 deaths that would have been expected based on historical trends.

The study also estimated that HPV vaccination has prevented approximately 200 cervical cancer deaths among young women in England since the program began.

"It's amazing news that no women aged between 20 and 24 died from cervical cancer in the whole of England between 2020 and 2024," said Peter Sasieni, Professor of Cancer Epidemiology at Queen Mary University of London.

"That remarkable fact is thanks to nearly 90% of Gen Z women having received the HPV vaccine through the school vaccination and catch-up programs," he added.

This marks the first time that zero cervical cancer deaths have been recorded in this age group and provides compelling evidence of the vaccine's life-saving impact.

Children Vaccinated At 12-13 Had Near-Zero Risk

Read More: HPV Vaccine Can Help Curb Rising Head And Neck Cancers, Says Top US Doctor

The study found that girls vaccinated at ages 12-13 had an almost zero risk of dying from cervical cancer before the age of 30, highlighting the success of the school-based vaccination program.

While several countries have reported declines in cervical cancer rates following HPV vaccination campaigns, evidence linking vaccination programs directly to reductions in cervical cancer deaths has been limited.

"This is the first national-level evidence, albeit observational, linking high HPV vaccination coverage to a major reduction in cervical cancer deaths," the researchers noted.

How The Study Was Conducted

Researchers analyzed HPV vaccination rates and cervical cancer mortality data among women in England between 2001 and 2024.

In addition to recording zero cervical cancer deaths among women aged 20-24 between 2020 and 2024, the study found an 80 per cent reduction in cervical cancer deaths in the same age group between 2015 and 2019.

The findings underscore the importance of achieving high vaccination coverage against a disease that remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths among younger women worldwide.

"We estimate that since its introduction, HPV vaccination has prevented nearly 200 young women from dying from cervical cancer in England," said Sasieni.

"But that's just the tip of the iceberg. As vaccinated generations grow older, we'll see many more lives saved from cervical cancer. It is incredible to think that a single jab can almost eliminate a particular type of cancer."

What Is HPV? How A vaccine helps?

Also read: Affordable India-Made HPV Test Offers Hope For Early Cervical Cancer Detection

The human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common viral infection worldwide, with more than 200 known types. While some types lead to benign skin warts, others are responsible for severe health threats, such as cervical, throat, anal, and penile cancers. The HPV vaccine provides strong protection against the most lethal strains, avoiding long-term health complications.

The HPV vaccine helps the immune system recognize and fight off high-risk strains of the virus before they cause harm. It protects against:

• Genital warts
• Cervical cancer
• Vaginal, vulvar, anal, and penile cancers
• Mouth, throat, head, and neck cancers linked to HPV.