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.

India’s food safety regulators have stepped up scrutiny on multiple fronts this week. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has tightening packaging rules for pan masala and Maharashtra’s Food and Drug Administration (FDA) taking action against retail outlets over alleged hygiene violations.

From what goes into packaged products to how food is stored and handled before it reaches consumers, these developments come at a time when food safety in India is under tight scrutiny.

FSSAI Bans Plastic And Aluminium Foil In Pan Masala Packaging

Under the new Food Safety and Standards (Packaging) Amendment Regulations, 2026, notified on August 10, pan masala packaging can no longer use plastic-based materials, plastic laminates, aluminium foil or metallised layers.

Pan masala can now be packaged in materials made of paper, paperboard, cellulose and other naturally derived materials, provided they are completely free from plastic and synthetic polymers. Tin and glass containers are also allowed.

The decision follows an earlier draft notification issued by FSSAI in April, which proposed adding specific packaging materials for pan masala to the food packaging regulations.

Also read: Why FSSAI Seized 18,000 Boxes Of Diageo Whisky, Vodka Bottles

Why FSSAI Is Targeting Pan Masala's Packaging?

Pan masala sachets have traditionally relied heavily on plastic and foil materials as they are lightweight, inexpensive and the contents are shielded from moisture.

However, such multilayer plastic packaging is difficult to recycle and contributes to persistent plastic waste. The new rules push manufacturers towards packaging made of paper and other naturally derived materials that won't harm the environment.

This does not mean that pan masala itself safer to consume. Pan masala, particularly those containing tobacco or areca nut, continues to be harmful. The regulation is primarily about packaging standards and waste.

Also read: From Liquor to Dabur to VKC Nuts, FSSAI Crackdown Puts Food Safety in Focus: Why It Matters

Maharashtra FDA Cracks Down On Retail Food Safety

On the other hand, Maharashtra FDA suspended the food license of a Blinkit facility in Malad West after it reportedly found cockroach infestation, improper storage and other hygiene violations that posed health safety dangers.

Officials also flagged expired and damaged products, inadequate pest control, poor waste management and improper food storage practices. The license was suspended under Section 32(3) of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.

The incident highlights why storage conditions matter even when food has already passed manufacturing and packaging checks.

Also read: Why Indian Doctors Are Seeking A Ban On Junk Food Ads And Mandatory Warning Labels On Packaging?

Reliance Retail Outlet Under Investigation Over Kaju Katli Complaint

In a separate case in Buldhana, Maharashtra FDA flagged a Reliance Retail outlet after a consumer complaint alleging fungal growth and live larvae in packaged kaju katli.

Officials inspected the outlet on August 8 and seized 54 kaju katli boxes reportedly. The specific batch mentioned in the complaint was no longer available, while another batch of the same product was found in stock.

These incidents underscore an important point: food safety does not end when a product leaves the factory. Packaging, transportation, storage, pest control, temperature management, expiry checks and hygiene at retail outlets all form part of the food-safety chain.

For consumers, checking the product's packaging, expiry dates, storage instructions and signs of contamination remains important. If a packaged food looks, smells or tastes abnormal, it is safer not to consume it and to report it to the food-safety authority.

England is on the verge of becoming one of the first countries in the world to eliminate hepatitis C, after more than 100,000 people received the life-saving pioneering antiviral drugs through the NHS that was rolled out in 2015.

NHS England said the country has already surpassed the World Health Organization’s target of treating at least 80% of patients diagnosed with hepatitis C. The latest numbers show that 81.5% of people diagnosed with chronic hepatitis C between 2015 and 2024 had started treatment.

Professor Frankie Swords, NHS national medical director, said hepatitis C can cause serious complications including liver failure and cancer. She also said that many people may live with the infection for years without knowing they have it.

“That’s why the NHS has worked hard alongside public health teams and charities to find and treat hidden cases,” she said, adding that England is now “leading the world” on the path to eliminate the disease.

“We are making significant progress towards eliminating Hepatitis C as a public health threat,” said Dr Sema Mandal, Deputy Director – Blood Safety, Hepatitis, STIs and HIV Division at UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).

She added, "The sharp fall in cases since 2015 shows the impact of expanded testing and sustained access to modern curative treatments, and the commitment of health services and community partners across England."

“Treating over 100,000 people in just 10 years is a remarkable achievement and brings England closer than ever to becoming one of the first countries in the world to eliminate this disease as a public health threat,” Mandal said.

UK's Public Health Milestone

Also read: How Chronic Hepatitis Quietly Progresses To Liver Cirrhosis: Why Early Action Can Save Your Liver

Hepatitis C is a blood-borne virus that primarily affects the liver. If the infection becomes chronic and remains untreated, it may lead to cirrhosis, liver failure and liver cancer. But hepatitis C differs from many other chronic viral infections as it can be cured.

Since 2015, England has significantly expanded access to direct-acting antiviral medicines. These tablets are generally taken for just 8 to 12 weeks and can clear the virus in more than 90% of the patients.

An estimated 50,200 adults were living with chronic hepatitis C in England in 2024, down 61.1% from an estimated 129,000 in 2015.

Deaths linked to hepatitis C have also fallen, with NHS England reporting a 36% reduction over the past decade.

Testing Still Remains Crucial

The biggest challenge for the health officials right now is finding people who do not know they are infected with hepatitis C.

The UKHSA estimates that 84.6% of people living with chronic hepatitis C had been diagnosed between 2015 and 2024. While the number is is encouraging, it still below the WHO target of 90%.

Past or current injecting drug use remains the most important risk factor in England. People who received blood transfusions or blood products before widespread hepatitis C screening was introduced are also considered at risk.

Elimination does not mean that hepatitis C will disappear completely. Under WHO criteria, it means reducing transmission, illness and deaths to very low levels while maintaining strong testing, treatment and prevention systems in public health.

The progress is especially significant because the world is currently far away from WHO’s 2030 viral hepatitis elimination targets. WHO estimates that about 47 million people were living with hepatitis C globally in 2024, while around 240,000 people died from hepatitis C-related causes.

Even as the US faces major outbreaks of Cyclospora and Salmonella infections, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has finalized safety guidance for operations handling ready-to-eat (RTE) fresh-cut produce.

The guidance incorporates public comments received on the October 2018 draft and replaces the FDA’s 2008 guidance on fresh-cut produce.

“This guidance represents the agency’s current thinking on the issues related to preventing contamination in fresh-cut produce,” the FDA said.

The agency also encouraged the industry to continue advancing food safety practices, including through best-practice documents tailored to specific commodities and processes.

The FDA’s guidance targets manufacturers and processors of fresh-cut produce and recommends measures such as sanitation controls, supplier verification and refrigeration amid ongoing outbreaks of cyclosporiasis and salmonella linked to fresh produce.

What Does the FDA Guidance Include?

The FDA recommendations are not legally binding and are aimed at manufacturers and processors of products such as chopped lettuce, sliced cantaloupe, diced onions, shredded carrots, coleslaw mixes and fruit salads.

Fresh-cut produce can include a single commodity, such as cut lettuce, sliced cantaloupe, diced celery, diced onions and shredded carrots, or combinations of two or more produce items, such as coleslaw mixes and fruit salads.

The FDA has focused on contamination with pathogens including salmonella, cyclospora, E. coli and listeria.

Fresh-cut produce processors should assess whether these pathogens pose potential hazards that require preventive measures, including supply-chain controls, the FDA said.

The recommended measures include:

• Using safe water
• Washing fruits and vegetables with antimicrobial solutions
• Training personnel
• Improving facility design
• Implementing sanitation controls
• Verifying suppliers
• Maintaining appropriate refrigeration

Why Is Fresh-Cut Produce at Risk?

Fresh-cut produce can be particularly susceptible to contamination because pathogens may be introduced at multiple points, including during growing, transportation, manufacturing, commingling with other products or at retail.

The opportunity for contamination can increase at each stage before the food reaches consumers.

Fresh-cut produce also does not undergo a kill step to eliminate pathogens that may be introduced during these processes, and most products are sold ready to eat.

The guidance provides recommendations and examples of how Preventive Controls for Human Food can be implemented to protect fresh-cut RTE produce from biological hazards.

Cyclospora and Salmonella Outbreaks

The guidance comes as the US investigates outbreaks linked to contaminated lettuce and jalapenos that have sickened thousands of people.

The cyclospora outbreak linked to iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms has spread to 15 states, with Michigan hit the hardest.

“Americans should feel confident in eating fresh produce, including leafy greens at this point,” Diamantas said during an appearance on CNBC. The FDA said it remains confident that iceberg lettuce linked to the cyclospora outbreak had been effectively removed from the market following the July 17 recall.

The US Department of Health and Human Services also said Tuesday on X: “Cyclospora: contained, American food: safe.”

However, the FDA and CDC say the investigation into the cyclospora outbreak remains ongoing.

Separately, Taylor Farms said Monday that it was recalling prepared foods containing jalapenos from retailers in several states because of potential salmonella contamination.