Health News Roundup: Bayer cancels asundexian phase III study program; How well-off Brits still buy Ozempic online for weight loss and more

The report by The Cambodian League for the Promotion and Defense of Human Rights, commonly known by its French acronym LICADHO, was based on visits to 21 brick factories in the Cambodian capital Phnom Penh and neighbouring Kandal province between April and September, as well as interviews with current and former workers. What’s behind the scramble for semaglutide? Demand for a diabetes medicine called Ozempic is soaring as people take it to shed pounds, leading to shortages in countries including Britain, Germany, Belgium and the United States.

Following is a summary of current health news briefs.

Bayer cancels asundexian phase III study program

Germany's Bayer AG said on Sunday it is cancelling a phase III study program to investigate the efficacy and safety of asundexian, an oral Factor XIa (FXIa) inhibitor. The decision to stop the study is based on the recommendation by the Independent Data Monitoring Committee (IDMC). IDMC monitoring showed an inferior efficacy of asundexian compared to the control arm of the study.

How well-off Brits still buy Ozempic online for weight loss

John, a tech executive who has been battling weight gain since his 30s, has a nine-month supply in his refrigerator. Kim Gradwell, a retired receptionist who developed type 2 diabetes nearly 20 years ago, isn't sure where she'll find her next dose.

The medicine is Ozempic – designed for type 2 diabetes, a life-threatening condition. It's so effective at helping people lose weight that supplies of the active ingredient, semaglutide, have run short in countries including Britain and the United States.

Bayer ordered to pay $1.56 billion in latest US trial loss over Roundup weedkiller

A Missouri jury ordered Bayer to pay $1.56 billion to four plaintiffs who claimed the company's Roundup weedkiller caused injuries including cancer, a verdict that could intensify investor pressure on the German drugs and agricultural chemicals company to change its legal strategy. The Cole County, Missouri jury found on Friday that Bayer's Monsanto business was liable for claims of negligence, design defects and failing to warn plaintiffs of the potential dangers of using Roundup, according to court documents.

Waste from Adidas, Walmart, other brands fuelling Cambodia brick kilns-report

Waste from at least 19 international brands including Adidas and Walmart is being used to fuel kilns in brick factories in Cambodia, and some workers were falling ill, according to a report by a local rights group released on Monday. The report by The Cambodian League for the Promotion and Defense of Human Rights, commonly known by its French acronym LICADHO, was based on visits to 21 brick factories in the Cambodian capital Phnom Penh and neighbouring Kandal province between April and September, as well as interviews with current and former workers.

What’s behind the scramble for semaglutide?

Demand for a diabetes medicine called Ozempic is soaring as people take it to shed pounds, leading to shortages in countries including Britain, Germany, Belgium and the United States. WHAT IS IT?