A newly announced policy introducing tariffs on certain imported pharmaceuticals could gradually increase prescription drug costs for patients across the United States. The measure applies primarily to brand-name medications that remain under patent, along with some of their active ingredients, with tariff rates potentially reaching up to 100 percent depending on compliance with pricing or domestic production conditions. While generic medications and biosimilars are currently exclud

U.S. President Donald Trump announced a sweeping policy shift on Saturday, April 18, aimed at accelerating access to medical research and treatments involving psychedelic drugs. The executive order, signed in the Oval Office, directs the US Food and Drug Administration to expedite the review process for substances such as ibogaine, which some veteran advocacy groups say may help treat post-traumatic stress disorder. The signing event included federal health officials, advocates, and podcaster Joe Rogan, highlighting growing public and institutional interest in alternative mental health therapies. Focus on veterans and severe mental illness treatment Trump said the initiative is designed to “dramatically accelerate access” to experimental therapies that have shown potential in addressing severe mental health conditions. He emphasized that these treatments could be particularly impactful for U.S. military veterans suffering from PTSD and depression. The order instructs federal agencies to reduce administrative barriers, enhance data sharing between the FDA and the Department of Veterans Affairs, and streamline the process for rescheduling psychedelic substances once they receive regulatory approval. Funding and expanded access under Right to Try law As part of the initiative, the federal government will allocate $50 million to support state-level research on ibogaine. The administration is also expanding pathways for patients with critical conditions to access experimental treatments under the Right to Try law enacted during Trump’s first term. Officials said this approach could allow certain patients to receive psychedelic-based therapies before full FDA approval, provided safety protocols are followed. Health officials cite urgency of mental health crisis Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr. described the executive order as a decisive step in addressing what he called one of the nation’s most pressing public health challenges. He said the policy would remove legal and regulatory barriers that have historically limited research into psychedelic treatments. Kennedy added that the changes aim to enable scientists, clinicians, and researchers to better study these substances and, where appropriate, develop safe therapeutic protocols for their use in treating mental health conditions.  

WASHINGTON — Health officials are warning of a rising number of extensively drug-resistant shigella infections in the United States, describing the trend as a growing public health threat linked to increasing antibiotic resistance. In a report released on Wednesday, April 9, 2026, federal health authorities said drug-resistant cases of shigella have steadily increased over the past decade. According to surveillance data, such cases accounted for 0% of reported infections between 201

​REDWOOD CITY, California — Revolution Medicines announced positive results from a late-stage clinical trial evaluating its experimental drug daraxonrasib, showing a significant survival benefit for patients with advanced pancreatic cancer who had previously undergone treatment. According to the company, patients receiving the once-daily oral therapy lived a median of 13.2 months, compar

A California-based pharmaceutical company has expa

Health officials in Northern Virginia have confirmed two new measles cases, prompting a public health alert and an extensive list of potential exposure sites in and around Manassas. The Virginia Department of Health is urging residents who may have visited the identified locations during specific time windows to monitor themselves closely for symptoms and take appropriate precautions. According to the department, at least 10 locations have been flagged as possible measles exposure sites. Ind

New Jersey health officials have confirmed the first pediatric death linked to influenza during the 2025–26 flu season, underscoring growing concerns about an early and intense wave of respiratory illness across the state. The child, who was under the age of five and lived in northern New Jersey, died as a result of flu-related complications, according to a statement released by the New Jersey Department of Health. State officials reported that influenza activity this season has a

President Donald Trump’s recently announced agreements with pharmaceutical companies are expected to have a limited effect on what most Americans pay for prescription drugs, according to health policy experts who say the scope and structure of the deals leave many patients unaffected. Since Sept. 30, the Trump administration has reached agreements with 14 drugmakers in exchange for relie

In a major development for obesity treatment, the US Food and Drug Administration has approved the first oral version of Wegovy, marking a significant shift in how weight-loss medications can be administered. The approval was announced by Danish pharmaceutical giant Novo Nordisk, which described the tablet

Health authorities in the United States have confirmed the country’s first human case of the H5N5 bird flu virus after a Washington state resident tested positive for the strain earlier this month. The infection marks the first documented instance of H5N5 in a person anywhere in the world, underscoring what experts describe as the unpredictable evolution of avian influenza viruses. Officials emphasized that the overall public risk remains low, but the case is being closely monitored due to the unusual nature of the strain. According to Washington state health officials, the patient became severely ill in early November, presenting with a high fever, significant breathing difficulty, and episodes of confusion. The individual was initially treated at a medical facility in Grays Harbor County, approximately 100 miles from Seattle, before being transferred to a hospital in King County for advanced care. Authorities revealed that the patient is older and has underlying health conditions, though no further identifying information was provided. Laboratory testing confirmed that the patient had contracted H5N5, a subtype of bird flu previously detected only in birds. Until now, human infections in the United States have involved the more widely recognized H5N1 strain. Researchers say the emergence of H5N5 in a human highlights the ongoing adaptability of influenza viruses circulating in domestic and wild bird populations. Investigators believe the patient’s exposure likely came from their own property, where they kept a mixed backyard flock of domestic poultry. The area is also frequented by wild birds such as ducks and geese, which are known carriers of various avian influenza strains. Officials stated that either domestic birds or wild species could have transmitted the virus, and both scenarios are under review. Despite the unusual circumstances, health authorities maintain that the case does not indicate increased transmission risk to the broader public. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Washington state officials reiterated that there is no evidence of human-to-human spread associated with H5N5. Individuals who had close contact with the patient were evaluated and tested, and no additional infections have been identified. Experts also clarified that H5N5 is not a newly discovered virus; it has been circulating among birds for some time. This instance simply marks the first confirmation of the strain infecting a human. Because influenza viruses regularly mutate as they pass between species, scientists continue to track their behavior, particularly when new patterns of infection appear. This case is the first recorded human bird flu infection in the United States in at least eight months. The country has been dealing with a widespread bird flu outbreak since early 2022, during which 71 human infections have been documented. One fatality was reported in Louisiana. Only a handful of cases have occurred so far this year, reflecting the sporadic and largely low-risk nature of avian influenza transmission to people. Health agencies continue to monitor bird populations, agricultural settings, and human cases to better understand how avian influenza evolves and to ensure timely guidance for the public. While the H5N5 infection represents a rare event, officials stressed that prevention measures, including avoiding contact with sick or dead birds and practicing proper hygiene around poultry, remain important tools in reducing exposure risks.

Health officials across the United States are closely monitoring a rapidly spreading H3N2 influenza strain that has already led to unusually large outbreaks in several countries. The early and aggressive activity observed abroad is raising concern that the U.S. may be headed toward a more challenging flu season than in recent years. Countries including Canada, the United Kingdom, and Japan have recorded stronger-than-normal waves of influenza infection, with some regions reporting significant

US Congresswoman Haley Stevens announced on Thursday, September 25, that she will introduce articles of impeachment against Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr. The move marks an escalation of her opposition to Kennedy’s policies, which she described as creating “healthcare chaos” across the country. In her post, Stevens stated that the time for patience has ended, declaring “enough is enough” and pledging to pursue formal impeachment proceedi

Novo Nordisk has announced a major price cut for its popular diabetes medication Ozempic, offering the drug for just $499 per month for patients in the United States who are uninsured or paying out-of-pocket. This move represents a significant reduction from the previous list price of nearly $1,350, and it is aimed at improving access for patients who otherwise struggle to afford the medication. The drug will now be available at the lower price through the comp