STAT+: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about weight loss drugs, a cell therapy for melanoma, and more
China has more obese people than anywhere else in the world, and they are increasingly turning to weight loss drugs, fueling a gray market.
Good morning, everyone, and welcome to another working week, which is getting off to a late start on this side of the pond thanks to a holiday break. Whatever your timetable, we hope you are feeling invigorated and inspired, because another busy day is on the way. To cope, yes, we are firing up the trusty coffee kettle and brewing cups of stimulation. Our choice today is toasted coconut mocha. As always, you are invited to join us. Meanwhile, here is the latest list of interesting items we have assembled for your reading pleasure. We hope you have a smashing day and conquer the world. And of course, do keep in touch. …
China has more obese people than anywhere else in the world, and they are increasingly turning to weight-loss drugs to solve the problem, The Wall Street Journal explains. That is fueling a gray market of drug sellers and buyers, who have little trouble getting around China’s rules on the use of Ozempic. Ozempic is not available for weight loss in the country, instead being reserved for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. But users on e-commerce platforms are able to buy the shots, colloquially known as “miracle drugs,” simply by declaring they have been diagnosed with diabetes — without providing proof.
A leading U.K. cancer charity warned that potential new treatments for brain cancer are being hampered by the failure of pharmaceutical companies to provide drugs required for research and by regulatory delays, The Guardian writes. Brain Tumor Research wants a new framework that treats the disease as a clinical priority. One lawmaker is campaigning for a law to require the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency and the National Institute for Care and Excellence to fast-track applications for approving treatments for rarer cancers, and for new regulations requiring drug companies to provide a supply of drugs to treat brain tumors.
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