Health Equity & Access Weekly Roundup: June 19, 2026

• MedPage Today reports on several critical health trends, including a progesterone supply shortage affecting patients, clinicians, and pharmacists. • Experts warn that extreme heat, rather than infectious diseases, may represent the primary health risk for attendees at the upcoming World Cup.

• The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is experiencing a period of instability characterized by the loss of thousands of employees through terminations or resignations. • The agency's accumulated expertise has been eroded, particularly within the drug and biologics centers, including the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research.

• Experts gathered at the European Hematology Association (EHA) 2026 Congress to present the latest clinical trial updates and investigational research. • The event focused on advancing treatment options for patients suffering from leukemia, lymphoma, multiple myeloma, and various other hematologic malignancies.

• The U.S. FDA has approved Merck's pneumococcal vaccine for expanded use in children and teenagers with chronic health conditions that increase their risk of infection. • This follows a June 2024 approval for adults and is based on a late-stage trial of 874 participants where the vaccine matched or outperformed the older PPSV23 version.

• In early 2026, the FDA implemented four strategic actions to modernize drug development, shifting focus toward flexibility and human-centric science. • The agency is prioritizing evidence quality and analytical sophistication over the sheer volume of data, acknowledging that advances in genomic medicine and biomarkers have outpaced old frameworks.

• The FDA approved a third over-the-counter version of naloxone nasal spray on Tuesday, June 16, to increase accessibility and reduce costs for overdose reversal. • Separately, a reported disruption in breast biopsy services is expected to impact patient care and may necessitate adjustments to clinical management.

• US drug overdose fatalities decreased by 14% in 2025 compared to the previous year, marking a significant improvement in public health data. • Experts attribute this decline to the broader availability of addiction treatment services and the expansion of harm reduction strategies.

• Health workers in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo are struggling to contain an Ebola outbreak due to severe resource shortages. • One month after the WHO declared an international emergency, officials report a critical lack of personnel for case identification, ambulances for transport, and materials for isolation wards.

• The 2025 gastroenterology year in review highlights significant medical progress, including new FDA approvals and breakthroughs in treating Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). • A key development is the introduction of IL-23 therapies and updated American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) guidelines that advocate for the early use of advanced therapies in Crohn's disease.

• Declining vaccination rates have led to a resurgence of measles, prompting biotech companies and researchers to seek pharmaceutical treatments for the disease. • Dr. Plemper of Georgia State University is working on a drug that could potentially be used off-label to treat measles patients if approved.

• Millions of Americans remain interested in GLP-1 medications for weight loss and health management but have not yet begun treatment. • According to Ondra Health, the primary obstacle for these potential patients has shifted from a lack of awareness or access to a lack of trust in the medications.