Wednesday, 20 May 2026
Generic Ozempic approved in Canada, TRUE METRIX glucose monitor recall, Rising disease outbreak concerns
- 01
Canada Approves Generic Ozempic After Fee Dispute
Canada has approved two generic versions of Ozempic (semaglutide) following Novo Nordisk's failure to pay a $C250 annual fee. The approvals, granted by Health Canada, include products from Dr Reddy's Laboratories and Apotex, with Dr Reddy's version already available since 15 May. This marks Canada as the second country to approve a generic form of the drug, which is significant for diabetes management. Seven additional generic applications are currently under review.
via BMJ
- 02
Trividia Health Issues Recall for TRUE METRIX Glucose Monitors
Trividia Health has issued a correction regarding the TRUE METRIX Blood Glucose Monitoring Systems. Users receiving an E-5 error code while experiencing symptoms of high glucose should seek medical care immediately. This recall is significant for patients managing diabetes, as it addresses potential safety concerns with the monitoring systems.
via FDA MedWatch
- 03
Report warns of increasing frequency and severity of disease outbreaks
A report from the Global Preparedness Monitoring Board highlights a rise in the frequency and deadliness of infectious disease outbreaks, including hantavirus and a rare Ebola variant. The report indicates that societal factors such as growing distrust and geopolitical tensions are undermining pandemic preparedness. It notes that the world is regressing in equitable access to diagnostics, vaccines, and therapeutics. The World Health Organization has recorded nearly double the health emergency events in 2024 compared to 2015.
via BMJ
- 04
Experts urge WHO to declare climate crisis a health emergency
An expert commission has recommended that the World Health Organization (WHO) declare the climate crisis a global public health emergency. This declaration would acknowledge the significant threat that climate change poses to human health, with WHO estimating an additional 250,000 deaths annually from 2030 to 2050 due to factors like undernutrition and heat stress. The commission highlighted that existing frameworks for addressing climate-related health issues are inadequate for the current crisis. They argue that without a formal emergency designation, governments may continue to view climate change as a chronic issue rather than an immediate threat.
via BMJ
- 05
FDA Approves First Generic Dapagliflozin
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the first generic versions of dapagliflozin, a sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor marketed as Farxiga. This approval may increase the availability of this diabetes treatment option. The move is significant as it could enhance access to affordable diabetes medications for patients.
via JAMA
- 06
Mirtazapine Shows Potential in Treating Methamphetamine Use Disorder
A recent article in JAMA discusses the potential of the antidepressant mirtazapine to treat methamphetamine use disorder. This finding may impact GPs managing patients with substance use disorders. The research suggests that mirtazapine could play a role in reducing methamphetamine use, highlighting its significance in clinical settings.
via JAMA
MDDR is a news digest for medical professionals. It is not medical advice and should not be relied on for clinical decision-making.