Global Health Updates: Vaccine Disparities, Legal Developments, and Medical Insights

This summary of current health news highlights vaccine challenges during Africa's mpox outbreak, the US FDA's approval of new treatments, a $106.8 million settlement by Walgreens, WHO's vaccine access scheme, China's birth rate concerns, studies on mammography and heart disease, FDA reviews on liver disease drugs, and key abortion rulings in Nebraska and North Dakota.

Rich nations hold millions of mpox vaccine doses while Africa struggles with its outbreak; will they share? With hundreds of millions of vaccine doses stockpiled, countries like Japan, the US, and Canada face pressure to help Africa, where donations have fallen woefully short amid the fast-spreading outbreak.

The US FDA on Friday approved Roche's injectable multiple sclerosis therapy, potentially increasing treatment options for centers lacking the capacity to administer the existing IV version.

Walgreens Boots Alliance agreed to pay $106.8 million to resolve charges of fraudulently billing the U.S. government for undispensed prescriptions. The DOJ cited violations of the False Claims Act between 2009 and 2020.

The WHO approved Bavarian Nordic's mpox vaccine and launched a program to enhance access in vulnerable countries, particularly in Africa, where the outbreak originated and is spreading rapidly.

China's National Health Commission is focusing efforts on encouraging marriage and childbirth at 'appropriate ages' to counter a declining birthrate and shrinking population, as reported by the state-backed Global Times.

The US FDA approved Eli Lilly's injectable eczema drug, branded Ebglyss, for patients over 12. The drug will be available shortly.

Health Rounds discuss the potential link between benign mammography findings and heart disease, an exploration of video visits to improve end-of-life care, and the risks associated with a blood cancer treatment.

FDA advisers expressed skepticism about the efficacy and safety of Intercept's liver disease drug Ocaliva, casting doubt on its future in the U.S. market.

Nebraska's top court ruled that competing abortion proposals, one for and one against abortion rights, can appear on November's ballot, while a North Dakota judge overturned the state's near-total abortion ban, reinstating abortion rights for the first time in over a year.

(With inputs from agencies.)