Global Scans · Drugs · Weekly Summary

• [New] Drugs such as semaglutide and tirzepatide are transforming obesity treatment, but without affordable, healthy food and appropriate support, they could widen health inequalities in the UK. EurekAlert!
• [New] Injectable GLP-1 drugs turned Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly into two of the most important pharmaceutical companies in the world, but injections were always going to limit adoption for some patients. Windows Forum
• [New] Patients using semaglutide-based weight loss drugs showed a significantly higher risk of developing NAION vision loss, a condition that can result in sudden and irreversible blindness. Medical Daily
• [New] Semaglutide products have been identified among drugs expected to be included in future negotiation rounds, with negotiated prices beginning to take effect later in the decade. Noom: Lose weight and keep it off.
• [New] The U.S. is being held back by vulnerabilities like fragile supply chains for generic drugs and the lack of a cutting-edge biotech infrastructure. MM+M - Medical Marketing and Media
• [New] 2026 will be impactful due to the enactment of recent changes to coverage under the Medicare program, including cost-sharing and out-of-pocket caps on medical spending and prescription drugs, which are expected to increase government outlays. AAF
• [New] Nigeria flagged a vulnerability that has surfaced repeatedly in recent years: contaminated excipients, the inactive ingredients used to bind, dissolve or preserve active drugs. Health Policy Watch
• [New] China's alignment with international regulatory standards, its participation in global harmonization initiatives, and its growing portfolio of first-approved and first-in-class drugs create opportunities for regulatory cooperation. PubMed Central (PMC)
• [New] The U.S. relies heavily on overseas manufacturing for generic drugs, with India supplying roughly 47% of volume and depending on shipping routes affected by the U.S.-Iran conflict - disruptions that could further strain availability of essential medications. Becker's Hospital Review | Healthcare News & A
• A massive study of more than 600,000 U.S. veterans suggests that popular GLP-1 drugs such as semaglutide may do far more than help with diabetes and weight loss - they could also fight addiction itself. ScienceDaily
• Combining daraxonrasib with other drugs - such as a single-mutation KRAS drug - could produce longer-lasting benefits. Scientific American
• Many generic drugs are now made mainly outside of Europe, especially in China and India, which is now viewed as a supply risk. Chemistry World
• Microbiome drugs are expected to hold 61.0% share in 2026 because defined products offer clearer development pathways than traditional donor-dependent approaches. FactMr
• The annual US spending on oral cancer drugs has surpassed $947 million and is expected to increase 12% to 15% annually through 2027. The Journal of Hematology Oncology Pharmacy
• Drugs facing generics with a 2028 pipeline catalyst is a waiting game. The Bird Bath

Last updated: 22 June 2026