Pharma

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.