Medical Bulletin 09/July/2026

• The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda declared Ebola outbreaks on May 15, 2026, following lab-confirmed cases of the Bundibugyo virus. • Infections were specifically identified in northeastern DRC and Kampala, the capital city of Uganda.

• A new wave of pharmaceutical approvals is expected to hit local pharmacies in 2026, introducing a series of "breakout drugs." • These medications are designed to lower overall public health costs and provide more accessible treatment options for patients.

• Dr. Daniel Pilch of Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School and co-founder of TAXIS Pharmaceuticals has detailed the effectiveness of a new drug, TXA079, designed to combat MRSA. • Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is highlighted as a critical danger due to its resistance to common antibiotics, making it difficult to treat.

• Researchers have identified specific blood biomarkers that can indicate the metabolic impact and consumption levels of ultra-processed foods. • A separate study highlights that moderate, chronic sleep deprivation significantly contributes to weight gain and increases the risk of obesity-related conditions.

• The FDA has approved the first generic version of baloxavir tablets for the treatment and postexposure prophylaxis of influenza. • The medication is indicated for patients aged 5 years or older, including those who have been exposed to an individual with the flu.

• The PARTNERS trial has begun enrolling patients in the Democratic Republic of the Congo to scientifically determine effective treatments for Bundibugyo virus disease. • This initiative is a joint collaboration between the Institut National de Recherche Biomédicale in Kinshasa, the Institute of Tropical Medicine in Antwerp, and Oxford's Pandemic Sciences Institute.

• On April 1, 2026, the FDA approved Foundayo (orforglipron) for adults struggling with obesity or overweight conditions associated with medical problems. • Developed by Eli Lilly and Co, Foundayo is the first non-peptide oral GLP-1 receptor agonist approved by the FDA for this indication.

• GlobalRPH has released a medical news summary for clinicians covering the period from June 29 to July 5, 2026. • A primary focus of this week's update is the shifting geography of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) across the United States.

• Stanford Medicine specialists have issued a warning regarding the rising use of cannabis among adults over 65, noting that modern marijuana is significantly more potent than in the past. • The experts highlighted five specific risks associated with cannabis use in older populations, suggesting that the potential dangers may currently be underestimated.

• The Department of Health and Social Care is launching pioneering pilot schemes to allow NHS patients to access cutting-edge medicines months earlier than previously possible. • New funding and a dedicated commissioner have been appointed to improve the safety, fairness, and consistency of maternity and neonatal care across England.

• Health Canada has issued a warning to physicians advising them not to start new patients on the prescription medication TAVNEOS. • The agency is currently reviewing the drug's evidence after concerns were raised regarding the integrity of data from its key clinical trial.