Peptides approved so far have limited human research - ABC17NEWS

• The White House signed secretive agreements with 26 drugmakers that may exempt various medicines from mandatory price reductions in Medicare. • A new analysis indicates these deals could drastically reduce the projected savings from the "most-favored nation" pricing policy, which aims to align U.S. drug costs with lower prices paid abroad.

• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention declared that the record-setting cyclosporiasis outbreak linked to iceberg lettuce has ended. • Health officials confirmed that all contaminated iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico and recalled by Taylor Farms de Mexico is now off the market.

• The World Health Organization classified Candida albicans, C. auris, Aspergillus fumigatus, and Cryptococcus neoformans as critical priority fungi. • These specific fungi were selected based on their widespread prevalence and the high mortality rates associated with invasive mycoses, or deep-tissue fungal infections.

• A narrative review synthesized global data from 2000 to early 2026 to analyze the escalating crisis of antimicrobial resistance. • The study utilized surveillance data from the World Health Organization and Global Research on Antimicrobial Resistance to outline the scale of the problem.

• The FDA approved a new treatment for pancreatic cancer to help patients fighting one of the deadliest forms of the disease. • Drug manufacturers may offer expanded access programs that allow patients who do not qualify for clinical trials to receive these newly approved therapies.

• A new study released on September 10, 2026, found that statin therapy significantly reduces major heart-related events among older adults. • The research indicates that these medications lead to a 30% reduction in major cardiovascular events for this age group.

• The Department of War and the National Institutes of Health signed an interagency agreement to develop medical countermeasures against emerging infectious diseases and CBRN threats. • The partnership focuses on research and development for pandemic influenza and chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear hazards.

• The FDA approved six cancer drugs in August 2026, including a new pill for pancreatic cancer called Rasonque. • Patients taking Rasonque lived a median of 13.2 months compared to 6.7 months for those on chemotherapy, reducing the risk of death by roughly 60%.

• A new wave of illegal fruity vapes has emerged, posing health risks to users, particularly among youth and young adults. • Researchers and healthcare providers are noting an increasing trend of children being prescribed GLP-1s, a type of medication typically used to treat type 2 diabetes and obesity.

• The Indian Medical Association has requested intervention from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the National Medical Commission regarding long working hours and harassment faced by doctors, which is causing severe burnout. • WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom has praised India's progress in primary healthcare, maternal and child health, and non-communicable disease prevention and control, during a meeting with Union Health Minister J P Nadda.

• The Respiratory Illnesses Data Channel provides information on COVID-19, flu, and RSV activity across the United States. • The channel offers data on the level of respiratory illness activity in different communities, allowing users to track local and national trends.