Credits: Canva
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Credit: iStock
Even as Uganda works to contain what is already the third-largest Ebola outbreak on record, centred in neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the country is now facing the risk of the Marburg virus, another deadly filovirus disease.
Media reports have indicated a possible Marburg virus case in Uganda, although the country has not yet publicly declared an outbreak.
Uganda, however, formally reported a case of Marburg virus disease to the World Health Organization (WHO) on June 30, according to a STAT News report.
On June 29, the US Embassy in the Ugandan capital, Kampala, also issued a health alert regarding a possible case of Marburg virus disease in the country.
"The US Embassy is aware there are reports of a potential case of Marburg Virus Disease, a viral hemorrhagic fever, in western Uganda," the embassy said in its advisory.
The alert was issued as a Level 4 travel advisory, warning Americans not to travel to Uganda.
Also read: WHO Issues First Clinical Care Guidelines On Ebola And Marburg Disease
Uganda has extensive experience managing outbreaks of viral hemorrhagic fevers. The country last reported a Marburg virus outbreak in 2017, when there were four cases and three deaths.
However, responding to a potential Marburg outbreak while simultaneously battling Ebola could complicate public health efforts.
Both Ebola and Marburg virus disease are viral hemorrhagic fevers caused by closely related filoviruses. So far, Uganda has reported a total of 20 cases of the rare Bundibugyo species of Ebola, including two deaths. Of these, 15 cases were imported from the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Marburg virus disease belongs to the same virus family as Ebola and has a case fatality rate that has varied widely across outbreaks.
The virus is primarily carried by fruit bats and can spread to humans through prolonged exposure to infected bats or contaminated environments. Once a person is infected, the virus spreads from person to person through direct contact with the blood, bodily fluids, or contaminated surfaces and materials used by infected individuals.
Marburg virus disease typically begins with a sudden onset of high fever, severe headache and muscle pain. Other common symptoms include diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain and weakness.
In severe cases, patients may develop internal and external bleeding, organ failure and shock, which can be fatal.
There is currently no approved specific treatment or vaccine for Marburg virus disease. However, supportive care significantly improves survival, and several vaccines, antiviral drugs and immune therapies are under development, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
According to the WHO, Marburg virus disease has killed between 24 per cent and 88 per cent of infected patients in previous outbreaks, depending on the virus strain and the quality of medical care available.
The virus was first identified in 1967 after simultaneous outbreaks occurred in Marburg and Frankfurt in Germany, and Belgrade in present-day Serbia. A total of 31 people were infected and seven died.
The outbreaks were traced to African green monkeys imported from Uganda for laboratory research. Fruit bats are now recognized as the natural reservoir of the virus, although other animals can also become infected.
Past outbreaks have been reported in countries including Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Ghana, Kenya, South Africa, Uganda and Zimbabwe.
Outside Africa, only a handful of Marburg cases have been reported. Two fatal cases occurred in travelers who had visited bat-inhabited caves in Uganda—one in Europe and one in the United States.
Credit: AI-generated image
The Indian Society of Anaesthesiologists (ISA) has issued an urgent advisory asking anaesthesiologists and hospitals across the country to immediately stop administering Hyperbaric Bupivacaine manufactured by Themis for spinal anaesthesia until further notice.
Themis Hyperbaric Bupivacaine is commonly administered as a spinal anaesthesia. According to the ISA and the Anaesthesia Patient Safety Association (APSA), the anaesthesia resulted in several suspected adverse events.
These reports were significant enough to warrant an immediate nationwide safety alert, even though the exact cause and frequency of the adverse events have not been revealed yet.
However, according to Medical Dialogues, the Indian Society of Anaesthesiologists has suspected that the adverse incidents linked to Themis Hyperbaric Bupivacaine were reported at Apollo Hospitals and Yashoda Hospitals. They also said that Adverse Drug Reactions (ADRs) related to the drug have been reported, and an investigation is underway.
The associations also stressed that the advisory is strictly precautionary and does not imply that the drug is defective or that Themis is responsible for any negligence or unethical practices.
Apart from stopping the administration of Themis Hyperbaric Bupivacaine, the advisory has also asked hospitals and healthcare facilities to:
Dr Sherry Mathews, President of the Hyderabad Metro City Branch of the Indian Society of Anaesthesiologists, said, “This is a precautionary advisory issued in the interest of patient safety. Reports of serious adverse events have been received from multiple hospitals, and until the investigation is completed, we have advised doctors to stop using the product.”
Also read: Are Sea Squirts The Future Of Skin Cancer Treatment? New Study Says They Can Kill Melanoma Cells
A separate notice issued by the ISA's Hyderabad Metro City Branch directed consultants, resident doctors, anaesthesia technicians and operation theatre staff to immediately stop the use of Themis Bupivacaine for spinal anaesthesia.
It also said that no ampoules of the product should be used for neuraxial administration until an official clearance is issued. It added that any inadvertent use must be reported to the head of the department without fail.
The authorities are currently investigating these suspected adverse reactions, particularly their nature and association with the drug.
Themis Hyperbaric Bupivacaine, marketed under brand names like Bupicain Heavy, is manufactured by Themis Medicare Limited, a 53-year-old Indian pharmaceutical company.
It contains Bupivacaine hydrochloride 0.5% (5 mg/mL), a local anaesthetic. It also contains Dextrose, which makes the solution hyperbaric (heavier than cerebrospinal fluid), which helps anaesthesiologists control how the anaesthetic spreads through the spinal canal.
Hyperbaric bupivacaine is commonly used for:
Hyperbaric bupivacaine is widely trusted for spinal anaesthesia globally. Many pharmaceutical companies manufacture it. The concern raised by the Indian Society of Anaesthesiologists is not against the drug, but about one manufacturer's production.
Credit: Times Network
The Times Network India Health Summit 2026 – South Edition, held on June 20 in Hyderabad, honored the outstanding contributions of doctors and innovations across the Indian healthcare sector.
The event brought together leading voices from government, medicine, research, and the healthcare industry to discuss the future of India's healthcare system.
Across three panel discussions, experts deliberated on the growing burden of obesity and anemia in the country, the role of artificial intelligence in healthcare and whether AI could outpace doctors, as well as the increasing incidence of violence against doctors and healthcare workers.
The summit featured renowned doctors, policymakers, hospital leaders, researchers and healthcare innovators. Discussions also covered preventive healthcare, artificial intelligence, women's health, public health policy and medical innovation.
The event was powered by Tamashii, with Gigglu as the associate partner, BMW Krishna Automotive as the automobile partner, Sumadhura as the real estate partner, and VOH (Voice of Healthcare) as the knowledge partner.
| S.No | Award Category | Award Winner Name |
| 1 | Eminent Excellence in Functional Neuro Surgery (Telangana) | Dr Dhanunjaya Rao - Apollo Hospitals |
| 2 | Eminent Excellence in Robotic Joint Replacement Surgery (Telangana) | Dr Vikram Byre - Yashoda Hospitals |
| 3 | Legendary Excellence in Joint Replacement Surgeries (Telangana) | Dr K Sudhir Reddy - Landmark Hospitals |
| 4 | Legendary Excellence in Internal Medicine & Intensive Care (Telangana) | Dr Rajib Paul - Apollo Hospitals |
| 5 | Centre of Excellence in Varicose Veins | AVIS Vascular Center |
| 6 | Legendary Excellence in Neurosurgery & Brain Stroke Prevention Public Health Services (Telangana) | Dr Uday Goutam - Goutam Neuro Care |
| 7 | Outstanding Philanthropic Contribution to Hearing Impairment Rehabilitation & Inclusion | SAHI (Society to Aid the Hearing Impaired) |
| 8 | Centre of Excellence in Advanced Fertility Treatments (Telangana) | Hegde Fertility |
| 9 | Lifetime Achievement Award in Gastrointestinal & Minimally Invasive Surgery (Telangana) | Dr G V Rao - Director AIG Hospitals |
| 10 | Best Emerging Multi Specialty Hospital (Telangana) | Sindhu Hospitals |
| 11 | Centre of Excellence in Advanced Dentistry (Khammam) | Sri Srinivasam Dental Hospital (Khammam) |
| 12 | Centre of Excellence in Advanced Personalized Orthopedic Care (Telangana) | My Ortho Centre |
| 13 | Legendary Excellence in Dental Implants (Telangana) | Dr Venkat Ratna Nag - The Dental Specialists |
| 14 | Legendary Excellence in Advanced Otology (Telangana) | Dr Jaswinder Singh Saluja - Apollo Hospitals |
| 15 | Excellence in Robotic & Minimally Invasive Gynecological Surgery (Telangana) | Dr T Rajeshwari Reddy – Continental Hospitals |
| 16 | Eminent Excellence in Transplant Pulmonology (Telangana) | Dr Tapaswi Krishna - Yashoda Hospitals |
| 17 | Legendary Excellence in Precision Eye Surgery (Telangana) | Dr Sangeeta Das - Malla Reddy Hospital |
| 18 | Excellence in Agentic AI for Clinical Diagnostics | Neurologic.AI |
| 19 | Centre of Excellence in Advanced Clear Aligner & Smile Design Treatments (Telangana) | PARK Dental Care |
| 20 | Eminent Excellence in Surgical Oncology & Robotic Surgery (Telangana) | Dr Ajay Chanakya Vallabhaneni |
| 21 | Lifetime Achievement in Women's Healthcare & Maternal Excellence | Dr Evita Fernandez - Fernandez Hospitals |
| 22 | Best Emerging Hospital in Vascular & Plastic Surgery (Telangana) | IKIGAI Hospitals |
| 23 | Emerging Excellence in Voice & Airway Disorders Management (Telangana) | Dr Madhav Koka - Apollo Hospitals |
| 24 | Legendary Excellence in Advanced Proctology & Anal Canal Surgery (Telangana) | Dr Sanjeev Singh Yadav - EPIC International Hospital |
| 25 | Lifetime Achievement Award in Global Oncology Excellence | Dr Nori Dattatreyudu |
| 26 | Excellence in Advanced Medical Care & Innovation | AJ Hospital & Research Centre |
| 27 | Visionary Excellence in Robotic Laparoscopic Surgery | Dr Rooma Sinha - Apollo Hospitals |
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