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.

While you may be buying fast-fashion clothes that are easy on your pocket and also give your children trendy looks, a new study highlights the risk of being laced with a highly toxic ingredient: lead.

The preliminary research, based on lab tests of several shirts from different retailers in the US, found that all the samples exceeded the country’s federal regulatory lead limits.

The US Consumer Product Safety Commission currently has a 100 parts per million (ppm) lead limit for children's products like toys and clothing.

"I started to see many articles about lead in clothing from fast fashion, and I realized not too many parents knew about the issue," said Kamila Deavers, principal investigator of the study, at Marian University in the US.

Deavers began the study after her young daughter’s lab reports showed elevated levels of lead in her blood from toy coatings.

How was study conducted?

The team tested 11 shirts that spanned the rainbow—red, pink, orange, yellow, gray, and blue. All brightly colored fabrics, particularly reds and yellows, showed higher levels of lead compared to more muted tones.

"We saw that the shirts we tested were all over the allowed limit for lead of 100 ppm," said Priscila Espinoza, from Marina.

The researchers explained that some manufacturers use lead (II) acetate as an inexpensive way to help dyes stick to the materials and produce bright, long-lasting color.

Children At Greater Risk

The researchers found the risk is particularly higher among younger kids as they tend to playfully suck or chew their clothes during play.

"Even briefly chewing these fabrics could expose children to dangerous lead levels,” they found in the study, to be presented at the forthcoming meeting of the American Chemical Society.

According to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), lead exposure can lead to behavior problems, brain and central nervous system damage, as well as other negative health effects in children.

The agency considers children under six years old to be most at risk from exposure. Even low levels of lead in the blood of children can result in:

• Behavior and learning problems
• Lower IQ and Hyperactivity
• Slowed growth
• Hearing Problems
• Anemia

The researchers also pointed out safer alternatives to lead-based dyeing agents that already exist. These include natural and less harmful substances such as:

• Plant-based tannins (e.g., oak bark, pomegranate peel)
• Rosemary
• Alum.

In a surprising video, a woman who ordered a tub of Kwality Wall's Frozen Dessert - Fruit & Nut in Rajasthan found the bottom of the container filled mostly with oil, raising questions about the quality of the product.

In the clip, the distressed customer was heard saying: "It is not even melting and has a weird flavor. I am never eating this ice cream again. I have asked my husband not to purchase this again. It was my favourite ice cream, but now I feel very disappointed."

However, after the post went viral, many X users pointed out that the brand sells frozen dessert, instead of ice cream and that frozen dessert contains palm oil which could explain why she found oil floating inside the container.

What Did Kwality Wall's Say?

As the video continued to go viral across the country, an official spokesperson of Kwality Walls India Limited confirmed that an investigation had been launched into the product's quality.

Speaking about what could have gone wrong, they told NDTV: "Given that ice cream/frozen dessert requires a continuous cold chain from factory to outlet and then to the freezer at consumers' homes, and as it is a sensitive product, temperature variations-especially during peak summer-can impact it.

"We are closely examining all stages of the supply chain for any deviations in storage or handling at the front end. We continue to work with our partners to ensure strict adherence to temperature-controlled protocols until the product reaches consumers' homes."

READ MORE: Zepto Customer Claims To Find 'Plastic' Inside Eggs, FSSAI Says Impossible

Frozen Desserts vs Ice Cream

Ice cream is essentially defined a frozen food dessert made from dairy products, such as milk and cream. For a product to qualify as ice cream, it has to contain atleast 10 percent milk fat and have a rich, creamy texture.

Often, natural color is used in ice cream to enhance its visual appeal, maintaining a healthier alternative to artificial dyes. The process involves churning a sweetened mixture of cream, milk, and flavors while freezing, incorporating air to create a light and airy consistency.

On the other hand, frozen desserts are typically made of a mixture of fats (vegetable oil or milk fat), sweeteners (sugar, glucose), milk solids and stabilizers/emulsifiers to create a smooth, creamy texture. They include diverse range of options, from fruit-based sorbets to creamy non-dairy alternatives.

Unlike ice creams, frozen desserts often use vegetable fats like palm oil, along with additives to manage texture and hold their shape longer when melting, and often have higher stabilizer content.

Due to being made from hydrogenated vegetable oils as well as are high in added sugars, saturated fats and processed ingredients, most frozen desserts are not considered healthy.

While some options have lower calories or fat than traditional ice cream, they are considered ultra-processed treats.

Experts recommend looking for fewer ingredients, less sugar, and dairy-based rather than palm-oil-based options as well as opting for single-serve items like small bars or cups to avoid overeating to stay healthy.

From higher costs on syringes, catheters, and MRIs, to medical supply shortages and longer wait times, the increasing geopolitical tensions around the Strait of Hormuz, which is likely to prolong, can spell trouble for the healthcare industry.

Amid a 48-hour "ultimatum" from US President Donald Trump to "fully open" the crucial waterway, Iran on Sunday said the Strait of Hormuz remains open to all shipping except that of its “enemies”.

Also Read: Shigella Cases Rise To 12 In Kerala: Doctor Explains Why The Bacterial Infection Is Fatal For Young Kids

The ongoing conflict has already spiked prices for medical devices—specifically plastics for syringes and catheters – due to the rising cost of raw materials. If disruptions persist, it can also warn of potential shortages, experts told HealthandMe.

In a statement, the Association of Indian Medical Device Industry (AiMeD) noted that the medical device input costs have already risen by nearly 50 percent for critical plastics, over 20 percent for packaging, and self-generated power running on diesel. It noted that PNG gas prices used for power generation and process heating have nearly doubled due to reduced availability.

This is eroding razor-thin margins on essentials like syringes, nitrile gloves, catheters, and plastic disposable medical devices in a highly competitive, volume-driven market.

“A shortage of liquid helium could impact the installation of new MRI scanners, each of which requires around 1,500 liters for the initial magnet fill. Supply disruptions linked to the war may delay new installations and push up costs, as helium prices are likely to rise amid tighter availability,” Dr. Harsh Mahajan, Mentor FICCI & Founder Mahajan Imaging & Labs, told HealthandMe.

Also read: Middle East Crisis Disrupting Health Services, Fueling Diseases & Environmental Hazards: WHO

Hormuz Blockade: No Shortage Now

The expert noted that there is no immediate concern for existing MRI machines.

It is because most currently installed scanners use K4 technology with zero boil-off systems, allowing them to operate efficiently without frequent helium refills.

“Typically, a top-up is needed only once every three years, when the magnet’s cold head is replaced. As a result, the existing installed base is expected to continue functioning without disruption in the near term,” Dr. Mahajan said.

According to experts, while one to three week shipment delays are manageable via buffers, prolonged disruptions risk production halts, hospital shortages, and costs due to inflated prices from market abuse by dominant large raw materials players.

Rajiv Nath, Forum Coordinator, AiMeD, has assured that “as of now, there are no shortages of syringes or other medical disposables, contrary to circulating rumors—there is no need to panic”.

While many manufacturers have adjusted product pricing by 10-20 percent to sustain operations, there is no acute shortage in key polymer grades like Polypropylene, HDPE, or LDPE, he added.

Also read: Black Rain Over Iran's Capital Tehran Sparks Health Fears

Long-term Hormuz Blockade Can Affect Critical Medical Supplies

However, the rapidly deteriorating situations and a longer blockade of Hormuz can lead to “substantial price increases, longer lead times, and highly elevated freight costs, which are pressuring cost structures and planning cycles”.

Nath said evolving global supply chain dynamics require close monitoring to prevent impacts on production timelines and industry stability.

The Medical Technology Association of India (MTaI) also warned that the ongoing US/Israel-Iran conflict and disruption in the Strait of Hormuz directly threaten India’s access to critical and life-saving medical technologies.

"Modern healthcare systems operate on just-in-time inventory models with minimal buffer stock. When large consignments - like those shipped by sea - are delayed or stranded, there is simply not enough inventory in the system to compensate, even through costlier alternatives like air freight," Pavan Choudary, Chairman, MTaI, told HealthandMe.

He also noted that shipment delays beyond March 31 can lead to "budget lapse, forcing a fresh approval cycle - thereby compounding delays that often stretch to months".

It is because many public institutions in India front-load procurement toward the financial year-end.

The industry experts urged the government to take urgent action to safeguard over 5 lakh jobs, ensure affordable healthcare access under Atmanirbhar Bharat, and protect exports to the US and EU.

The AiMeD also urged the Indian government not to reduce import duties on medical devices based on rumors of shortages.