Medical Bulletin 04/July/2026

• National TV drug advertising spending rose 16% year-over-year in 2025, with the most significant growth occurring in the cancer, mental health, and weight loss categories. • Despite increased FDA enforcement regarding pharmaceutical advertising, industry experts believe sweeping rule changes are unlikely to occur in the near future.

• The FDA approved six novel drugs for pediatric patients under 18 in 2026, including Copper histidinate (Zycubo) by Sentynl Therapeutics Inc. • Approved on January 12, 2026, Zycubo is indicated for the management of Menkes disease in children via subcutaneous formulation.

• The World Health Organization (WHO) has launched the first-ever clinical trial to test treatments against the Ebola Bundibugyo virus in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). • The study will evaluate the efficacy of an antiviral drug and an antibody cocktail, with the first patient already enrolled in a trial that could include up to 1,200 participants.

• Between June 27 and July 4, 2026, the FDA issued two major approvals: expanding Casgevy gene therapy for sickle cell disease patients aged 2 and older, and approving Tregzi, the first Treg cell immunotherapy for chronic graft-versus-host disease. • The roundup also tracks critical healthcare developments across the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and the EU, including NHS funding updates, EMA regulatory decisions, and various biotech deals.

• A recent AJMC podcast highlighted the critical underutilization of the FIB4 liver screening tool, which Dr. Chika Anekwe describes as a noninvasive, guideline-supported method for detection. • Dr. Naim Alkhouri noted that FDA approvals for resmetirom and semaglutide to treat aggressive metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) have increased the urgency for early screening.

• The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is investigating reports of neurological complications in patients of Venezuelan ancestry following the administration of anesthesia. • The probe focuses on identifying a potential link between specific anesthetic agents and adverse neurological reactions unique to this demographic.

• A comprehensive review published in The Lancet reaffirms that approved mRNA vaccines are safe and highly effective across diverse populations, including children and immunocompromised patients. • Led by researchers from the University of British Columbia and Imperial College London, the study analyzed data from billions of doses, combining clinical trials with real-world surveillance.

• The World Health Organization (WHO) has launched the "Partners" clinical trial in the Democratic Republic of Congo to test treatments for the Bundibugyo Ebola virus. • The study will evaluate the efficacy of MBP-134 and remdesivir in up to 1,200 patients currently affected by the outbreak.

• Genmab's epcoritamab showed successful results in treating diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), while BRUKINSA achieved a win in treating mantle cell lymphoma (MCL). • The FDA approved Tregzi for the treatment of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), providing a critical new tool for patients undergoing allogeneic stem cell transplantation.

• A randomized platform trial has launched in the Democratic Republic of Congo to evaluate therapies for the Bundibugyo virus, a strain of Ebola with no existing licensed vaccines or treatments. • The study tests whether the monoclonal antibody MBP134, the antiviral drug remdesivir, or a combination of both can improve survival rates across patients of all ages.

• A study published in Nature Health on June 15, 2026, reveals that new antidepressant prescriptions in England have fallen below pre-pandemic levels. • The research analyzed primary care dispensing data spanning from 2019 to 2024 to track prescribing trends across the country.