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.

GLP-1 drugs widely used to manage and treat obesity and type 2 diabetes may also help people stay healthier at work. A new study finding that the medications were associated with a 17.3% reduction in absence due to sickness among employed adults.

The study, conducted by researchers from the University of Copenhagen, the University of Chicago, Duke University, and the ROCKWOOL Foundation, analyzed nationwide Danish health and employment records to examine whether GLP-1 treatment affects the conditions of labour market.

Researchers found that people who started GLP-1 therapy experienced significantly fewer episodes of medically certified sick leave lasting longer than 30 days compared with similar patients who began treatment later.

"We find that GLP-1 treatment reduces long-term sickness absence by 17.3% over four years," the researchers wrote in the working paper.

The reduction became more pronounced over time, increasing from around 0.8 percentage points in the first two years after treatment began to 1.1 percentage points during years three and four.

Benefits Of GLP-1 Drugs Beyond Weight Loss

Also read: Can Ozempic-Like GLP-1 Drugs Slow Aging, Boost Longevity?

GLP-1 receptor agonists, including Ozempic and Wegovy, have become best known for helping people lose weight. However, researchers say their benefits may extend well beyond weight loss. The study also found that patients receiving GLP-1 therapy had:

• Fewer emergency department visits.
• Lower use of cardiovascular medications.
• Reduced reliance on long-term sickness benefits.

Together, these statistics translated into estimated annual savings equivalent to 1.3% to 1.5% of an employed person's yearly income through fewer prolonged absences from work.

"Our findings suggest meaningful fiscal spillovers from GLP-1 treatment through reduced sickness absence," the authors said.

However, the researchers found no significant evidence that the medications increased overall employment, labor-force participation, or earnings during the four-year follow-up period.

How Can GLP-1 Drugs Reduce Sick Leave?

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The researchers believe the medications likely improve people's overall health enough to reduce serious illnesses that keep them away from work.

GLP-1 drugs work by mimicking a hormone called glucagon-like peptide-1, which helps regulate appetite, blood sugar and digestion. They are known to:

• Improve blood sugar control.
• Promote substantial weight loss.
• Lower the risk of cardiovascular complications.
• Reduce obesity-related health problems.

These health improvements may translate into fewer hospital visits and fewer prolonged medical absences.

Researchers Warn

The researchers cautioned that the findings should not be interpreted as evidence that GLP-1 drugs automatically improve workplace productivity.

The study was based on Danish national data, where healthcare access and paid sick-leave policies differ from those in countries such as the United States and India.

In addition, the study focused on patients prescribed GLP-1 medications for medical reasons, including obesity and type 2 diabetes, rather than people using the drugs primarily for cosmetic weight loss.

The findings add to a growing body of evidence suggesting GLP-1 drugs may offer benefits beyond managing diabetes and obesity. Previous research has linked these medications to lower risks of heart disease, kidney disease, obstructive sleep apnea, and certain liver conditions.

If confirmed across different countries, the latest findings suggest that the drugs could also provide broader economic benefits by reducing long-term sickness absence and easing the burden on healthcare systems.

Millions of Americans rely on cetirizine, the generic version of Zyrtec, to keep seasonal allergies at bay. But a recent nationwide recall has raised concerns after some tablets were found to be contaminated with another medication, prompting FDA to warn consumers to check their medicine bottles.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced that India-based company Unique Pharmaceutical Laboratories, a division of J.B. Chemicals & Pharmaceuticals Ltd., is voluntarily recalling four lots of Cetirizine Hydrochloride Tablets USP 5 mg because of potential cross-contamination with ranitidine, a medication used to treat heartburn and stomach ulcers.

Why Was The Allergy Medicine Recalled?

According to the FDA, the recall was initiated after a pharmacy technician noticed unusual tablets. Some cetirizine tablets had red dots or discoloration, which led to a proper investigation. The company later confirmed that certain tablets had been cross-contaminated with ranitidine during manufacturing.

The FDA, in its recall announcement, said, "Unique Pharmaceutical Laboratories is voluntarily recalling four lots of Cetirizine Hydrochloride Tablets USP 5 mg to the consumer level due to cross contamination with Ranitidine."

Although no adverse events have been reported so far, the company is recalling the medication as a precaution because taking an unintended drug could pose health risks for certain patients.

Why Is Cross-Contamination A Grave Concern?

Cross-contamination occurs when traces of one medication accidentally end up in another drug during manufacturing or packaging.

In this case, people expecting to take an allergy medicine could unknowingly consume ranitidine which could lead to adverse effects.

While ranitidine was once commonly used to treat acid reflux and heartburn. The medication decreases the amount of acid made in the stomach, according to MedlinePlus and the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

The accidental exposure is particularly concerning for people who are hypersensitive to ranitidine or its ingredients.

According to the FDA, these individuals could experience reactions ranging from mild allergic symptoms to potentially life-threatening conditions.

Also read: Common Antidepressant May Ease One Of Long COVID's Debilitating Symptoms, Landmark Trial Suggests

Which Medicines Are Affected In The Recall?

Consumers should check the lot numbers listed in the FDA recall notice to determine whether their medication is affected. The recall involves:

• Product: Cetirizine Hydrochloride Tablets USP 5 mg
• Package: 100-count HDPE bottles
• Distributor: Rising Pharma Holdings Inc.
• Expiration: October 2028
• National Drug Code No. – 16571-401-10
• Lot numbers – GY825029, GY825030, GY825031, GY825032

What Are The Potential Health Risks?

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Although Unique Pharmaceutical Laboratories said it has not received any reports of adverse reactions related to the recalled tablets, the contamination could pose a serious risk for people who are allergic or hypersensitive to ranitidine.

According to the recall notice, individuals who unknowingly take the contaminated tablets could experience anaphylaxis, a severe and potentially life-threatening allergic reaction that requires immediate medical attention. Symptoms of anaphylaxis may include:

• Difficulty swallowing
• Loss of consciousness
• Hypotension (low blood pressure)
• Dyspnea (shortness of breath)
• Angioedema (sudden swelling beneath the skin)
• Swelling of the throat or face
• Pruritus (itching)
• Urticaria (hives)

What Should You Do If You Have The Recalled Medication?

Consumers who have the affected cetirizine tablets should stop using the product and check whether their bottle belongs to one of the recalled lots. Anyone who develops symptoms like swelling of the face or throat, difficulty breathing or swallowing, hives, or dizziness after taking the medication should seek immediate medical attention.

The United Nations has warned that health workers responding to the rapidly expanding Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) are facing growing risks as the virus has infected new areas, prompting urgent calls for stronger infection control measures, funding and global support.

The warning comes as the World Health Organization (WHO) reported that the outbreak has become one of the largest ever recorded in the country, with more than 2,400 confirmed Ebola cases and nearly 1,000 deaths. WHO said the outbreak continues to expand despite intensive response efforts.

According to WHO, the epidemic is being caused by the Bundibugyo ebolavirus, a strain for which there is currently no approved vaccine or specific treatment, making containment and treatment even more challenging.

UN Warns Frontline Responders

The UN and its agencies have expressed concern that healthcare workers remain among the most vulnerable because they are in direct contact with infected patients and often work in unsafe environments conditions.

"Health workers are on the front line of this response and must be protected through adequate infection prevention measures, personal protective equipment, training and support," WHO officials have stressed as response teams continue to battle the outbreak.

On Monday, the UN warned on Monday that Ebola could spread in displacement camps in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, adding that overcrowding could increase transmission and new cases.

Also read: Ebola Outbreak: Confirmed Cases Hit 2,344, Deaths Rise To 930

The UN aid agency OCHA said that confirmed Ebola cases had been reported in "at least 16 displacement sites" across Ituri, the epicentre of outbreak.

"These sites host more than 270,000 displaced people, with overcrowding and limited access to basic services increasing the risk of disease transmission," OCHA said in a statement.

Separately, the UN's International Organization for Migration (IOM) warned that the movement of Ebola victims' bodies between different regions is increasing the risk of transmission, especially in communities where traditional burial practices involve close contact with the deceased.

"Transporting bodies over long distances creates additional opportunities for the virus to spread," the UN agency warned, urging safer burial practices.

Ebola Outbreak In DRC Expanding Faster Than Response

According to the World Health Organization, there have been 2,344 confirmed cases of Ebola in the DRC and at least 930 deaths.

More than 460 patients have recovered, while there are 192 suspected cases.

Marking the 17th outbreak, the current Ebola epidemic was declared on May 15 after several deaths were reported in Ituri.

WHO has warned that the outbreak is expanding faster than the response efforts, with transmission now occurring across multiple provinces. The agency said that even though some affected areas are starting to see stability, several hotspots continue to report persistent transmission and new cases.

Also read: Why Transporting Ebola Victims' Bodies Is Fueling Congo's Outbreak, UN Agency Issues Warning

"We are tailoring our response according to different transmission patterns," WHO officials said, noting that surveillance, contact tracing and treatment capacity continue to be expanded.

Health authorities are also increasingly concerned about infections with unknown transmission chains, suggesting that some cases are being detected too late for effective contact tracing.

Status Of Ebola Outbreak In Uganda

In neighboring Uganda, officials have reported encouraging progress. The country has discharged its last Ebola patient and has entered the WHO-required 42-day countdown before it can officially declare the outbreak over, provided no new infections are detected.

Uganda has recorded 20 confirmed Ebola cases, most linked to cross-border transmission from the DRC, and has not reported a new case since late June.

WHO, the UN and African health authorities continue to call for increased international funding, rapid deployment of medical teams and stronger protection for frontline healthcare workers.