New antidepressant prescriptions lower than pre-pandemic levels, study finds - The Pharmaceutical Journal

• Tuberculosis cases in the U.S. reached a 14-year high in 2024 and remain elevated in 2025, sparking alarm among public health experts. • The surge is attributed to critical gaps in screening and underfunded contact tracing, which leave vulnerable communities exposed to the disease.

• The FDA updated a Salmonella outbreak warning on June 30, 2026, reporting 119 illnesses across 36 states, including 32 hospitalizations. • The expanded recall now includes products from TNVitamins, Live it Up, Doctor's Pride, and Why Not Natural.

• The U.S. healthcare system is facing a potential crisis as a Supreme Court ruling could pave the way for mass deportations. • Experts warn that these deportations would exacerbate existing staffing shortfalls in hospitals and emergency rooms, with the long-term healthcare sector expected to suffer the most significant disruptions.

• The World Health Organization (WHO) has launched a clinical trial for two Ebola therapeutics in the Democratic Republic of Congo, enrolling the first patient this Thursday. • The trial aims to reduce mortality rates during an outbreak that began in May and has already resulted in 1,406 confirmed cases and 438 deaths.

• The PARTNERS clinical trial has officially opened patient enrolment in the Democratic Republic of the Congo to identify the first effective treatments for Bundibugyo virus (BVD). • This international effort focuses on evaluating potential therapies for Ebola disease specifically caused by the BVD strain, utilizing facilities like the ALIMA Ebola Treatment Centre.

• A recent Ebola outbreak highlighted critical failures in early detection after weeks were wasted testing for the wrong viral strain. • Infectious disease experts Krutika Kuppalli and Placide Mbala argue that the inability to rapidly identify the specific pathogen hindered effective containment efforts.

• On June 2, 2026, the FDA approved ensitrelvir for the post-exposure prophylaxis of COVID-19 in patients aged 12 years and older. • The regulatory decision follows positive results from phase 3 clinical trials, confirming the drug's efficacy in preventing infection.

• The United States risks losing its official measles-free status, which it has maintained since 2000, following a surge to 2,134 cases in 2026. • The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) will conduct a formal review in November 2026 to determine if the country still meets elimination criteria.

• The CDC paused diagnostic testing for rabies, mpox, and over 24 other diseases in March 2026 following significant staffing reductions. • As of July 1, the agency has not provided public clarity regarding the restoration status of these critical diagnostic services.

• The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved 22 novel drugs during the first half of 2026, expanding treatment options across various medical specialties. • Key approvals include copper histidinate (formerly CUTX-101) for Menkes disease, supported by two open-label studies involving 129 patients treated with subcutaneous administration for up to 3 years.

• The Trump administration is reversing a decade-long policy of providing federal funding for clean needle programs, leaving syringe services in a state of uncertainty. • Experts, including former White House official Regina LaBelle, warn that these cuts may force programs to reduce hours or eliminate services, potentially triggering new outbreaks of blood-borne diseases.