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The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) on Wednesday (9 January) announced that the novel type 2 oral polio vaccine (nOPV2) has been quality-assured (prequalified) by the World Health Organization (WHO). Developed by a team including scientists from the MHRA, nOPV2 is considered a safer polio vaccine that helps to protect children from the disabling and life-threatening disease and lower the risk of vaccine-derived outbreaks. The vaccine received WHO Emergency Use Listing three years ago, and since then 950 million doses have been delivered worldwide. The UN health agency's decision to add it to the list of prequalified vaccines is based on the analysis of outcomes in vaccinated populations that has confirmed strong safety profile and effectiveness.

The British Association of Dermatologists (BAD) has raised concerned about rising cases of scabies in the UK, and suggested that the current shortage of medicines is contributing to the outbreak. Usually, this skin condition is treated using topical creams or oral medication in more severe cases, but shortage of scabies drugs has been reported since May 2023. Both permethrin 5% cream and malathion liquid, which are two main topical treatments for scabies, are in limited supply in the U.K. Paula Geanau, a spokesperson for BAD, told Fox News Digital on Friday (19 January) that the rate of scabies is double the seasonal average, with three cases per 100,000 of the population recorded at the end of November by the Royal College of GPs.

The World Health Organization (WHO) issued a warning on Thursday regarding falsified semaglutide medications used for treating type 2 diabetes and obesity in select countries. This WHO Medical Product Alert addresses three falsified batches of the specific brand Ozempic that were detected in Brazil (October 2023), the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland (October 2023), and the United States (December 2023). These falsified semaglutide products were distributed through the regulated supply chain. Novo Nordisk, the genuine manufacturer of Ozempic, confirmed that the three products mentioned in the alert are falsified and were not produced by the company. Healthcare professionals, regulatory authorities and the public are advised to remain vigilant regarding these falsified batches of medicines. Dr Yukiko Nakatani, WHO Assistant Director-General for Access to Medicines and Health Products, urged stakeholders to stop any usage of suspicious medicines and report them to relevant authorities.