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.

Men in the UK could face limited access to prostate cancer testing under updated guidance that gives GPs authority to decide if some men without symptoms should receive a PSA blood test.

The development comes after the UK Government rejected calls for routine prostate cancer screening for all men. It instead backed a targeted approach in which those at highest genetic risk would be considered first.

Why Is The UK Changing Prostate Cancer Testing Guidance?

Under existing NHS guidance, men aged 50 and over can request a PSA test after discussing the benefits and limitations with their GP.

The new guidance states that the decision to authorise PSA testing ultimately rests with the doctor. Recent reports suggested that the policy has sparked criticism from cancer charities and campaigners.

Regardless, a PSA test can find prostate cancer, but it cannot reliably tell doctors which cancers are dangerous and which may be manageable with treatment.

The UK National Screening Committee (UK NSC) concluded in May that routine screening of the whole male population could do more harm than good.

It said that for every 1,000 men aged 50 to 60 screened using PSA, up to two lives could be saved, but as many as 20 men could experience overdiagnosis.

Also read: Prostate Cancer: NHS England's New Precision Radiotherapy Offers Hope In Just 5 Sessions

Who Will Be Eligible For Regular Screening?

The UK NSC has recommended targeted screening every two years for a much smaller group who are more likely to get prostate cancer. It includes men in the age group of 45 to 61 who have a BRCA2 gene variant and a family history of breast, ovarian, pancreatic or prostate cancer.

Importantly, the committee did not recommend targeted screening for other groups at higher risk, including Black men or men with a family history but no BRCA2 variant. It said that more evidence is needed to take a call on those matters.

What Is A PSA Test?

PSA, or prostate-specific antigen, is a protein produced by prostate cells. Higher levels can be associated with prostate cancer. But they can also increase because of non-cancerous prostate enlargement or inflammation.

This means screening can produce false alarms and lead to biopsies or treatment that some men may never need. Cancer Research UK says PSA testing may also fail to detect some prostate cancers.

Also read: Testicular Cancer Warning: Be Vigilant About These Unnoticeable Signs, Doctor Warns

Why Are Black Men Ineligible Despite Being In Higher Risk Group?

Black men have a substantially higher risk of developing and dying from prostate cancer, but the UK NSC said there is currently insufficient evidence to establish whether routine screening of Black men would help.

At the same time, the UK Government has expanded access for Black men to the TRANSFORM prostate cancer screening trial, which is designed to find a better way of detecting clinically significant prostate cancer.

The change does not mean PSA testing is being banned. Men with symptoms or particular risk factors can still be assessed by their GP, and doctors can request testing when it is clinically appropriate.

The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is expanding at a rapid pace. According to a senior United Nations humanitarian official, the virus now estimated to be claiming one life every 30 minutes.

Tom Fletcher, UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, issued the warning on August 14, calling for urgent international response as the outbreak continues to overwhelm communities and health systems in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

“The outbreak is the fastest growing on record,” Fletcher said, according to reports, urging the international community to step up support.

The latest warning comes as the outbreak has crossed a grim milestone. According to Reuters, DRC had recorded 4,449 confirmed Ebola cases and 2,061 deaths as of August 11.

What Makes It One Of The Most Rapidly Spreading Ebola Outbreaks?

The outbreak was officially declared in mid-May, but WHO has since found evidence that transmission may have started months earlier. Early patients were reportedly misdiagnosed with illnesses such as malaria or typhoid, allowing the virus to spread before Ebola was identified.

Currently, the virus has also moved far beyond its epicentre in Ituri province. WHO reported in July that cases had spread across five provinces and 46 health zones, with the outbreak concentrated in Ituri but also affecting North Kivu, South Kivu, Haut-Uele and Tshopo.

More recent reporting indicates that the outbreak has now reached a sixth province, while more than 2,100 deaths have been reported.

Also read: Ebola 2026 Outbreak Spreading Faster Than Any Before, On Track To Become Deadliest: WHO Chief

DRC Ebola Outbreak Is Challenging To Contain

Apart from an overwhelmed healthcare system, conflict, uncontrolled population displacement, poor infrastructure, lack of protective equipment and mistrust of health authorities are making it harder for health workers to identify contacts and reach patients. Health workers have also gone on strike due to nonpayment of wages, which has further weakened the response.

Reports suggested that 60% to 70% of newly detected infections are occurring outside known contact chains, a crucial sign that indicates contact tracing is struggling to keep up with transmission.

Vaccine For Bundibugyo Ebola Strain

Also read: Ebola Death Toll Tops 2,000 In DRC: New Study Reveals Likely Source Of Bundibugyo Virus Outbreak

The widely used Ervebo vaccine targets the Zaire variant of Ebola, not Bundibugyo virus. WHO says there is currently no licensed vaccine or specific treatment for Bundibugyo virus, although several candidates are now being investigated.

WHO experts have recently recommended a clinical trial to determine whether Ervebo could provide some protection against Bundibugyo, after encouraging results in animal studies.

Meanwhile, clinical trials of potential vaccines and treatments are underway in affected areas.

Progress Made

Despite the challenges, WHO chief Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said significant progress has been made towards containing and eradicating the virus. It includes:

• More than 21,000 community health workers have been trained.
• Treatment centres, safe burial teams, laboratories and community engagement teams are operating across the affected provinces, reaching hundreds of thousands of people.
• A total of 886 patients have recovered, even without specific therapeutics and vaccines, which are progressing through trials.
• For the first time, two vaccines specifically designed against Bundibugyo virus have entered Phase 1 safety trials in humans.
• Two new animal studies of a vaccine against Zaire ebolavirus — the more common species — have shown promising evidence of cross-protection in animals, Tedros said.

Kenya recently approved seven semaglutide-based drugs, expanding access to a class of drugs that has rapidly moved from diabetes treatment to one of the most talked-about weight-management therapies.

The Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB) said the medicines were assessed by regulatory authorities for quality, safety, and effectiveness. The move adds new options as demand for GLP-1 drugs continues to rise in the country.

Kenya Approves New Semaglutide-Based Medicines

Kenya already had Novo Nordisk’s Ozempic and Wegovy in the market. The five newly registered generic semaglutide products have been approved for treating and managing type 2 diabetes. A generic product called Truglyx was also launched in Nairobi in July.

An important thing to remember considering using these drugs is that even though they have the same active ingredient, it does not mean these medicines can be used interchangeably.

“While these products contain the same active ingredient, their approved uses are not necessarily interchangeable and must be understood with reference to the indication approved for each product,” PPB Chief Executive Officer Dr Ahmed Mohamed said.

Ozempic And Wegovy Cannot Be Used Interchangeably

Also read: GLP-1 Weight Loss Drugs Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro Tied To Over 60 Reported Deaths In Australia

Although Ozempic and Wegovy contain the same active ingredient, they are not simply two names for the same treatment.

Ozempic is approved for adults with type 2 diabetes whose blood sugar is not adequately controlled, alongside diet and physical activity.

Wegovy is intended to be used for weight management in adults with a high BMI, alongside diet and exercise.

That is why the PPB has warned patients against assuming that all semaglutide products can be substituted for one another.

“While these products contain the same active ingredient, their approved uses are not necessarily interchangeable,” PPB Chief Executive Officer Dr Ahmed Mohamed said.

The regulator has also stressed that semaglutide medicines are prescription-only drugs and should be used only after assessment and prescription by a qualified healthcare professional.

Semaglutide Drugs Have Become Increasingly Popular

Also read: UK Woman Dies After Sudden Abdominal Pain Following Increase In Her Mounjaro Dose

The drugs have become popular for their ability to reduce appetite and help lose weight. But the effects of these drugs extend way beyond the weighing scale.

A 2026 analysis of the SELECT trial found semaglutide was associated with fewer hospital admissions and shorter hospital stays among people with overweight or obesity and cardiovascular disease who did not have diabetes.

At the same time, the rapid expansion of the market means there will be more competition. South Africa’s regulator was reviewing 12 generic semaglutide applications in July after patent expiry opened the door to generic competition.

Brazil also approved five new injectable semaglutide medicines last month, showing that manufacturers are rapidly responding to growing demand of GLP-1 drugs.

Are GLP-1 Drugs Completely Safe?

Just as GLP-1 medicines are steadily gaining popularity, reports emerged stating that semaglutide had the highest number of reported deaths with suspected associations, followed by Tirzepatide, Liraglutide and Dulaglutide.

62 deaths in Australia have been reported to the medicines regulator, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), with suspected associations with GLP-1 medicines, including Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro.

The TGA has also received reports of nearly 3,000 serious adverse events involving these medicines, which are used by hundreds of thousands of Australians, The Herald Sun reported.

Reported adverse reactions include nausea, pancreatitis, suicidal thoughts and a rare eye condition that can cause blindness.