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This week, The Pharmaceutical Journal has reported on the expanded use of Wegovy (semaglutide; Novo Nordisk) in the NHS for patients at risk of stroke or heart attack, research that confirms COVID-19 vaccines are not associated with sudden death in healthy young people, and guidance on self-administration of medicines in hospital.
Meanwhile, amid rising Shigella case numbers, the UK Health Security Agency data has highlighted increasing levels of antimicrobial resistance. And a ‘game-changing’ urine test could identify the correct antibiotic for a UTI within hours, rather than days.
We have also made a case for why medicines security must become a national priority and considered why women might be moving away from hormonal contraception.
Read on for more health news you might have missed this week.
Fluvoxamine eases fatigue associated with long COVID
The widely-available antidepressant fluvoxamine is one of the first medications shown to meaningfully reduce fatigue in people living with long COVID, a global, randomised, placebo‑controlled clinical trial, published in the Annals of Internal Medicine has shown.
Further reading
Tirzepatide improves patient-reported wellbeing in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus
Another study published in Annals of Internal Medicine this week found that adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), who switched from dulaglutide to tirzepatide, not only reported stronger improvements in blood sugar and weight but also feeling better emotionally.
Meanwhile, an expanded analysis found that Mounjaro (tirzepatide; Eli Lilly) was associated with significantly lower risk on a combined MACE-6 measure (death, cardiovascular events and serious kidney complications) compared with Trulicity (dulaglutide; Eli Lilly) in adults with T2DM and established cardiovascular disease.
Further reading
- ‘Weight-loss drug to be offered to patients at risk of stroke or heart attack’;
- ‘Pharmacists could play role in neighbourhood hub obesity care, MPs told’;
- ‘Glucagon-like peptide-1 and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide analogues in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus for glycaemic control.’
Chikungunya cases at more than ten-year high
Cases of chikungunya reported in 2025 were at the highest levels recorded since 2014, the latest UK Health Security Agency travel-associated infections report shows. The 160 cases also represented a 43% increase compared to 2024 when 112 cases were reported.
And in the wake of the Kent meningitis outbreak, NHS charges have been waived for prescriptions of prophylactic oral ciprofloxacin issued to patients in relation to the outbreak.
