News

The Central Bank of Iran has announced that foreign currency allocations for importing medicines, pharmaceutical raw materials, and medical equipment have exceeded $1.04 billion, supplied through both preferential and non-preferential exchange rates. According to the approved quarterly budget, a total of $800 million in preferential currency and $400 million in non-preferential currency was planned for the first quarter of the year. Despite delays in preferential funding by related agencies, the Central Bank — under the directive of its Governor and in recognition of the critical importance of public health — successfully provided over $525 million in preferential and $520 million in non-preferential currency by June 7 (18 Khordad). This total surpasses the original target, reflecting the government’s commitment to maintaining the flow of essential medical supplies and treatments.

Merck announced that its new oral medication successfully met its primary endpoint in two phase III clinical trials, significantly lowering a specific type of cholesterol. The company is testing its non-statin pill, called enlicitide decanoate, for the treatment of hyperlipidemia — a condition that leads to excessive fat buildup in blood vessels, increasing the risk of heart attacks and strokes. The drug demonstrated a notable reduction in LDL-C (low-density lipoprotein cholesterol), commonly referred to as "bad cholesterol." Enlicitide decanoate works by inhibiting PCSK9, a protein that plays a key role in cholesterol regulation, whereas statins function by blocking the enzyme responsible for cholesterol production in the liver.

Albert Bourla, CEO of Pfizer, announced that the company — along with other pharmaceutical firms — has been in talks with the Trump administration to lower drug prices in the U.S. However, no clear agreement has been reached so far. Last month, President Trump issued an executive order calling for drug prices in the U.S. to be aligned with those paid in other developed countries. Under the order, the government was tasked with establishing a “Most Favored Nation” pricing mechanism within 30 days. However, it remains unclear what exact strategy the U.S. government will use to enforce lower drug prices. Analysts and legal experts have warned that implementing this policy could face significant challenges.

More than 60 scientists and staff members at the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) have issued a rare open letter, strongly criticizing the Trump administration’s sweeping budget cuts. According to the letter, these reductions jeopardize public health, politicize scientific research, and waste public resources. The letter, addressed to the NIH Director, the U.S. Secretary of Health, and members of Congress, was released ahead of a key Senate Appropriations Committee hearing on the NIH budget. In total, over 340 current and former NIH employees signed the letter — with approximately 250 requesting anonymity. The letter outlines that since Trump took office, more than 2,100 research projects worth $9.5 billion have been canceled, along with contracts totaling $2.6 billion. These canceled initiatives were said to be critical for supporting scientific progress — from funding lab equipment to staffing clinical trials.

A new study reveals a sharp rise in the use of the weight-loss drug Wegovy among American teenagers — a trend largely driven by growing trust among families and healthcare providers in the drug’s safety and effectiveness for treating obesity in adolescents. According to an analysis by Truveta, a healthcare data company, Wegovy prescriptions among teens increased by 50% over the past year, reaching 14.8 prescriptions per 100,000 adolescents. This marks a significant jump compared to the 9.9 prescriptions per 100,000 in 2023 — the first full year the drug was approved for teens aged 12 and older. The trend has continued into early 2025, with the rate rising to 17.3 prescriptions in the first quarter of this year. Despite this growth, Wegovy usage still represents only a small fraction of the estimated 23 in 100,000 teenagers with obesity, and remains far lower than adult prescription rates.

Rob Dixon, a 33-year-old music producer from Hampshire, has opened up about his horrifying experience after taking Finasteride, a popular drug used to treat hair loss. He began using the medication at the age of 24 after a simple online search led him to believe it was safe. "I purchased and used the drug without a prescription. Within just two weeks, I completely lost my sexual desire and ability," he recalls. Things took a turn for the worse after stopping the medication. Rob experienced panic attacks, tinnitus, blurred vision, digestive issues, joint pain, and suicidal thoughts. It took him four years to gradually recover. In April 2024, the UK’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) issued new safety warnings, including updated labels on Finasteride packaging, to highlight the risks of depression, suicidal ideation, and erectile dysfunction.