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• The Pharmaceutical Journal reported on several key healthcare developments, including progress toward a single national formulary and the potential introduction of a pharmacy performers list. • The publication highlighted a "stark lack of government response" regarding the valproate redress scheme, signaling ongoing frustration over compensation for affected individuals. • Efforts are underway to establish closer regulatory ties between the UK, India, and the United States to streamline pharmaceutical oversight.

• The WHO Europe chief has warned that AI tools are being rapidly deployed in healthcare across 53 member countries without sufficient oversight. • Data reveals a stark imbalance: while two-thirds of these nations use AI for diagnostics and half use AI chatbots, only 8% (one in twelve) have a health-specific AI strategy. • This lack of governance risks causing biased diagnoses and eroding public trust in healthcare systems.

Ofcom concerned platform’s age verification is ineffective, leaving some at risk of seeing posts about self-harm and suicideTikTok is under formal investigation over concerns it has failed to protect children from harmful content, the UK’s online regulator, Ofcom, has announced.The social media platform’s approach to checking the ages of users has sparked “particular concerns” at the watchdog, almost a year after measures to protect children from the worst of online content came into effect under the Online Safety Act. Continue reading...

• President Tharman Shanmugaratnam concluded a state visit to Malaysia, emphasizing the need for both nations to collaborate in driving ASEAN's economic growth. • The two countries aim to focus on high-potential sectors, specifically targeting advancements in green energy and the digital economy. • President Tharman highlighted a shared commitment to upholding the rule of law and ensuring the region avoids splitting into competing geopolitical blocs.

Councillors pass motion that paves way to setting up drugs-consumption facility where users can be helped and treatedUK politics live – latest updatesBristol has been formally declared a “city of harm reduction”, with local politicians pledging to focus on helping and treating users of illegal drugs rather than punishing them.Green councillors, who lead the city council, said the declaration was a clear signal that public health rather than criminal justice solutions were needed to tackle the UK’s growing drugs crisis. Continue reading...

• Spain's EU-harmonised 12-month inflation rate remained steady at 3.6% in June 2024. • According to statistics from the National Statistics Institute (INE), the figure aligned with both previous data and market forecasts. • This stability provides a key indicator of price trends within the Eurozone, influencing broader economic assessments of the region.

• Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), and nine colleagues sent a formal letter to OMB Director Russ Vought demanding the reversal of a proposed federal regulation. • The lawmakers argue that the proposed rule change would negatively impact American science, research, and innovation by creating restrictive political barriers. • This action matters because the senators believe the rule could lead to the loss of American jobs and the exportation of domestic innovation due to "partisan games."

• A UN scientific panel has warned that the rapid advancement of AI capabilities is currently outpacing regulatory oversight, potentially leading to "catastrophic harm." • Experts expressed specific concerns regarding the risks of AI deception, safety failures, and the concentration of global control. • Despite these risks, AI is driving significant progress toward Sustainable Development Goals, such as predicting over 200 million protein structures to accelerate vaccine and drug discovery.

• The FDA has issued reminders to over 2,200 medical product companies and researchers to comply with clinical trial results submission requirements. • Data shows that 29.6% of required trial results are currently missing from ClinicalTrials.gov, with negative outcomes frequently going unreported. • This lack of transparency creates a publication bias that distorts the reality of drug development by overrepresenting successes and hiding failures.

Report by HM inspector of prisons for England and Wales comes as spending on frontline education falls by up to 50%“Brutal” cuts to prison education and training by Labour ministers are leading to an increase in drug use, self-harm and violence, a watchdog’s withering final annual report has said.Charlie Taylor, who steps down as HM inspector of prisons for England and Wales in the autumn after six years, has also warned the authorities must keep a “close eye” on the impending release of thousands of prisoners later this year. Continue reading...

Thousands of people begin receiving their first deliveries of once-a-day medication made by Novo NordiskBusiness live – latest updatesA once-a-day Wegovy weight-loss pill has gone on sale at high street and online pharmacies in the UK, but is not yet available on the NHS.Thousands of people began receiving their first deliveries of the pill, made by the Danish drugmaker Novo Nordisk, on Monday. It contains the same active GLP-1 ingredient as the Wegovy jab, semaglutide, and is similarly effective, according to studies. Continue reading...

• A major UN summit opened in Geneva on Monday to address the urgent need for global AI governance and safety frameworks. • The summit focuses on balancing the potential for AI to benefit humanity with the need to prevent "catastrophic harm" and ensure fair distribution of technology. • Estonian Ambassador Rein Tammsaar highlighted that AI could serve as a "great equalizer" by boosting economic development, productivity, and health systems globally.

• 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. • Pharma marketers are maintaining their linear TV investments for high-impact disease areas and major events while simultaneously expanding into targeted CTV and digital campaigns.

• The Indian stock market closed higher, with the Sensex gaining 262 points and the Nifty index finishing above the 24,250 mark. • Growth was driven by the IT, pharma, and realty sectors, with Nifty Realty leading the gains at 2 percent, followed by Nifty IT and Nifty Pharma at 1.7 percent each. • Top performing stocks included HCL Technologies, Max Healthcare, and Apollo Hospitals, while Axis Bank, SBI, and L&T were among the biggest losers.

• 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. • This shift is significant as it provides a comprehensive look at how mental health treatment patterns have evolved following the COVID-19 pandemic.

Between 1949 and 1976, an estimated 185,000 babies were taken from unmarried mothers and placed for adoption in England and WalesGood morning. Keir Starmer is clearing the decks in his last three weeks in office, and today he is going to settle one unresolved issue when he delivers a formal apology on behalf of the state to victims of forced adoption policies that were in place in the middle of the last century.Between 1949 and 1976, an estimated 185,000 babies were taken from unmarried mothers and placed for adoption in England and Wales as a result of a culture of shame surrounding pregnancy outside marriage. The mother and baby homes involved were mostly run by religious organisations, but councils were involved in placing children for adoption.Survivors of historical forced adoption are to get the state apology they have spent decades campaigning for when Keir Starmer says sorry in parliament.The prime minister is expected to stand in the Commons and acknowledge the harm caused when an estimated 185,000 babies of unmarried mothers were adopted in England and Wales between 1949 and 1976. Continue reading...

• Paradigm Health formally submitted its response to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) Request for Information (RFI) regarding the Real-Time Clinical Trial (RTCT) Initiative on June 30, 2026. • As the sole technology provider currently operationalizing the FDA's RTCT proof-of-concept studies, Paradigm Health based its submission on insights from biopharma sponsors and healthcare providers. • This move is critical for refining the framework of real-time clinical trials, aiming to accelerate drug development and improve the efficiency of regulatory oversight.

• Investor Ruchir Sharma argues that the AI boom is currently the dominant driver of global financial returns, establishing a new "AI-based world order." • The shift is benefiting nations that export critical AI hardware, including circuits and servers, specifically highlighting Mexico, Thailand, and Vietnam. • Other key players in this new ecosystem include Malaysia and Singapore, which serve as both exporters and major hubs for data centers.

• Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has announced a policy direction to reclassify 14 specific peptides, though the exact regulatory mechanics are still being finalized. • The current challenge is that none of these 14 peptides have undergone the formal FDA approval process, which requires phase 1 through 3 clinical trials and manufacturing validation. • This shift matters because it highlights a gap between how patients typically use these peptides and the rigorous safety and efficacy reviews required for a New Drug Application.

• The American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy has outlined the pharmaceutical pipeline for novel drug approvals anticipated between 1Q 2026 and 4Q 2026. • The upcoming pipeline focuses on therapies for rare inherited genetic disorders, immunologic and inflammatory diseases, and advancements in gene therapy and targeted oncology. • This tracking is critical for health-system pharmacists to effectively manage hospital formularies, allocate financial resources, and optimize patient care.

• MarketBeat’s stock screener tool identified Eli Lilly and Company, Pfizer, and Abbott Laboratories as the top pharmaceutical stocks to watch on June 24th. • These companies are highlighted for their roles in the research, development, manufacturing, and sale of medicines and healthcare products. • This selection serves as a guide for investors looking to monitor high-potential assets within the pharmaceutical sector.

Donna Ockenden inquiry finds ‘bullying’ culture and ‘cruel’, dismissive attitude to women contributed to avoidable deathsOckenden report: latest updates – liveMaternity care scandal review: what are the key findings?More than 500 mothers and babies came to harm or died as a result of inadequate care in Nottingham, an inquiry into the NHS’s biggest ever maternity scandal has revealed.A total of 444 women and 76 newborn babies suffered “potentially avoidable” outcomes because they received substandard treatment over 13 years from Nottingham University hospitals NHS trust (NUH), a damning report led by the childbirth expert Donna Ockenden has found.A “bullying and toxic culture” persisted at NUH over many years and impeded moves to improve care.Maternity service managers and the trust’s senior leaders were repeatedly warned about a host of serious problems in the maternity units at both hospitals but did not take effective action.Maternity staff displayed “a culture of not admitting women who were seeking admission in labour”, despite the risks this posed to them and their babies.Both maternity units were consistently seriously short-staffed and could not cope with the number of births and complexity of cases they had to handle.One baby girl who died early in gestation was “inadvertently disposed of as clinical waste by laboratory staff after her postmortem examination”, compounding her parents’ distress. Continue reading...

State budget suggests Minns government is addicted to pokies revenue, with tax take predicted to jump from $1.6bn to $2.2bn annually within four yearsFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAnti-gambling advocates say surging tax revenue from poker machines in New South Wales is a betrayal of the Minns government’s promise to reform the industry.Tuesday’s state budget forecasts the annual revenue from all gambling taxes will rise from $3.8bn in 2025-26 to $4.7bn by 2029-30. That includes an annual rise in revenue from poker machines in pubs and hotels of 7.5%, outstripping inflation, meaning the government expects to pocket $2.2bn from pokies in 2029-30 compared with $1.6bn this financial year. Continue reading...

Christie’s sale in London in September carries estimates up to £150,000, with some instruments also used by Noel Gallagher and Bernard SumnerJohnny Marr is preparing to auction off about 80 of his guitars, including the Rickenbacker heard on This Charming Man.Marr has partnered with Christie’s for the auction, which will take place on 17 September in London, with the collection – including amps and other equipment – available for the public to view in London and New York prior to the sale. Continue reading...

• Indian stock markets declined on Friday, driven primarily by a slump in IT stocks as investors engaged in profit-taking near the 24,150 mark. • Despite the dip, analysts indicate that the broader recovery trend remains stable as long as the market stays above 23,700. • Key companies including Sun Pharma, Tata Motors, and ONGC are drawing investor attention due to strategic repositioning, acquisitions, and new order wins.

• At the Reuters Pharma USA 2026 event, industry experts discussed the shift toward "optichannel" engagement to better influence physician prescribing habits. • AstraZeneca’s IO Women’s Cancer Lead, Dicla Veliz Salce, highlighted that strong clinical trial data alone is often insufficient to change medical behavior. • The panel emphasized that real-world evidence (RWE) is critical, as physicians are more likely to adopt new therapies when they see recurrence risks validated in practical settings.

• Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) defeated Gujarat Titans (GT) in the Indian Premier League 2026 Final, posting 161/5 in 18 overs against GT's 155/8. • Virat Kohli played a pivotal role in the victory, scoring 75 runs off 42 balls and achieving his fastest IPL fifty of his 19-season career. • The win secures the championship for RCB, marking a historic milestone for the franchise and Kohli.

Supply problems pose risk to health, with common painkillers, epilepsy medication and HRT affectedBritons are facing some of the “most severe” shortages of NHS medicines on record including common painkillers, epilepsy drugs and HRT, health leaders have warned, even forcing some patients with impaired digestive systems to skip meals.The National Pharmacy Association (NPA) has warned that medicine shortages pose a “serious risk to patient safety”. Continue reading...