June 2026

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Xocova (ensitrelvir), developed by Japanese pharmaceutical company Shionogi & Co., for the prevention of COVID-19 following exposure to an infected individual. The approval makes Xocova the first and only oral antiviral therapy authorized in the United States for post-exposure prophylaxis of COVID-19.

A new review suggests that routinely prescribing antibiotics after hospital discharge may provide little benefit for children recovering from complicated acute appendicitis (CAA). The findings add to growing concerns about unnecessary antibiotic exposure and its potential role in adverse effects and antimicrobial resistance.

Researchers from The University of Osaka have developed an innovative mRNA-based treatment that could help protect the heart from long-term damage following a heart attack. In a new study, scientists found that delivering a combination of five therapeutic mRNAs directly to damaged heart tissue significantly improved heart function and survival in mice that had experienced myocardial infarction (heart attack).

A commonly prescribed medicine used for neuropathic pain, epilepsy, and anxiety disorders is increasingly coming under scrutiny due to its growing misuse and dependence potential. A recent study published in the Indian Journal of Medical Research (IJMR) has highlighted the rising pattern of pregabalin misuse in India and emphasized the urgent need for regulatory and public health interventions.