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Federal Court of Justice examines advertising practices of foreign drug mail-order companies

The 1st Civil Senate of the Federal Court of Justice (BGH) again dealt with the permissibility of advertising measures by foreign mail-order pharmacies. The focus was on discounts, vouchers, and bonuses that a Dutch distributor used between 2013 and 2015, including hotel vouchers and ADAC memberships for customer acquisition. The North Rhine Pharmacists' Association (AKNR) had obtained several preliminary injunctions against this. The hearing showed the complexity of the issue, as national law, EU law, and previous rulings by the BGH and the European Court of Justice (ECJ) had to be considered. Presiding Judge Prof. Dr. Thomas Koch emphasized that such advertising practices could improperly influence consumers. The Senate indicated that it would likely uphold four of the five disputed advertising bans, while the distributor attempted to clarify the fundamental permissibility of price advertising under ECJ law. However, the BGH referred to already established case law without signaling any willingness to change. The originally demanded 18 million euros in damages seemed off the table; instead, the distributor was concerned with the… 

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BPI establishes expert working group on radiopharmaceuticals to promote innovative cancer therapies

The German Association of the Pharmaceutical Industry (BPI) has launched a new expert working group on radiopharmaceuticals to provide a specialized forum for manufacturers of radiopharmaceuticals. Dr. Kai Joachimsen, CEO of the BPI, emphasized the importance of radiopharmaceuticals as a dynamic field in oncology and the need to further develop regulatory frameworks. The working group aims to pool the expertise of companies such as Curium, GE Healthcare, Novartis, and Rotop to contribute to the professional and political dialogue. After a one-year preparatory process, Magnus Fischer, Senior Manager Public Affairs Radioligand Therapies at Novartis Pharma GmbH, was elected chairman of the working group. He pointed out the specific challenges faced by radiopharmaceutical manufacturers and stressed the need for structured exchange with political and regulatory decision-makers at national and European levels. The goal is to promote medical innovations for the benefit of patients. The working group plans to address the regulatory, scientific, and healthcare policy specificities of… 

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FDA expands approval for Novartis drug Leqvio for cholesterol lowering

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has expanded the approval of Novartis' cholesterol-lowering drug Leqvio (Inclisiran). The preparation can now be used as monotherapy – meaning without additional statin therapy – in combination with diet and exercise to lower harmful LDL cholesterol levels in adults with hypercholesterolemia. The decision is based on extensive data on the efficacy of PCSK9-inhibiting therapies in LDL reduction. The expanded indication is intended to allow patients to be treated with an effective option earlier in their treatment to reduce the risk of heart disease. Leqvio is injected twice a year, after an initial dose and another after three months, which is intended to promote adherence and facilitate long-term control of LDL cholesterol. This is particularly relevant as up to 80 percent of patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) in the US do not reach the recommended LDL target levels below 70 mg/dL. The...

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FDA approves expanded use of Alhemo for hemophilia patients without inhibitors

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has expanded the approval of the drug Alhemo (Concizumab-mtci). It can now be used as a daily prophylactic treatment to prevent or reduce bleeding episodes in adults and children aged 12 and older with hemophilia A or B without inhibitors. This was announced by the pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk. The decision is based on data from a Phase 3 study that showed a significant reduction in the annual bleeding rate. Alhemo was already approved in December 2024 for patients with hemophilia A or B and inhibitors. With the new expanded indication, a subcutaneous injection option is now available for a broader patient group, who previously often relied on intravenous infusions. The preparation is offered in pre-filled pens and is intended to improve blood clotting by blocking a protein called Tissue Factor Pathway Inhibitor (TFPI). This increases thrombin production, which helps with bleeding in the absence of or with defects in clotting factors VIII or IX...

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The world must unite to stop Trump's tariff madness

EDITORIAL. The latest escalation of US tariff policy under President Donald Trump threatens the global economy with a trade war that destroys supply chains, endangers jobs, and drives up living costs worldwide. Trump's announcement to impose 30 percent tariffs on imports from the European Union (EU) starting in August 2025 – although a compromise of 15 percent was recently agreed upon – shows that his policy is not only protectionist but also erratic and destabilizing. To end this tariff madness, the world must act in unison. In particular, the EU and the BRICS states (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) have the economic and geopolitical clout to put pressure on the USA. Only through coordinated measures can the global trading order be saved and a precedent be set that prevents future unilateral aggressions. Why Trump's tariffs threaten the world Trump's tariff policy is not an isolated phenomenon but part of an "America First" strategy that aims to...

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Gene variant with opposing effects in men and women discovered

Cincinnati, July 9, 2025 – A research team at Cincinnati Children's Hospital has identified a gene variant (rs6190) that has opposing health effects in men and women. The findings were published on July 9, 2025, in Science Advances and in an upcoming issue of the Journal of Clinical Investigation. In men, the rs6190 variant promotes muscle building, increases insulin sensitivity, and lowers the risk of diabetes. Studies in mice and data from the UK Biobank and the All of Us database show that men with this variant have leaner bodies, lower BMI, and greater muscle strength. The genes Foxc1 and Arid5A play a key role by improving glucose and fat metabolism. In women, however, the same variant increases cholesterol levels and the risk of clogged arteries. In the liver, rs6190 leads to reduced activity of the genes Pcsk9 and Bhlhe40, which in female mice and women...

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Retinal organoids: A breakthrough in the therapy of dry age-related macular degeneration

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD), which is divided into dry and wet forms, poses a significant threat to the vision of older people worldwide. Despite its prevalence, the exact molecular mechanisms underlying the damage to retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells and photoreceptor cells (PCs) in dry AMD are still poorly understood. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop human retinal models that can mimic dry AMD. This research, published in the journal  Genes & Diseases  by a team from the Third Medical Center of the Chinese PLA General Hospital, the Medical School of the Chinese PLA General Hospital, and the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, used sodium iodate-stimulated human retinal organoids (ROs) to create a model of dry AMD. Building on their previous work, which demonstrated the presence of abundant RPEs and PCs in ROs after 186 days of differentiation,… 

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The Epstein Files and the End of J.D. Vance as a Potential Trump Successor

The Jeffrey Epstein case, the convicted sex offender and influential financier with ties to global elites, continues to cast a long shadow over the US political landscape. While speculation surrounding Epstein's so-called "client list" and the release of his files has burdened President Donald Trump's administration, Vice President J.D. Vance, in particular, has come under intense scrutiny. His past statements and the resulting credibility crisis have severely weakened his chances of a presidential candidacy after Trump's term. This report highlights why the Epstein case has politically disenchanted Vance, based on official data, media reports, and expert analysis. J.D. Vance's Transformation from Critic to Defender J.D. Vance, a former senator from Ohio and author of the bestseller Hillbilly Elegy, ran as Trump's vice-presidential candidate in 2024. Before his rise to national politics, Vance was known for his sharp commentary on social and political issues, including the Epstein case. In 2021,… 

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No connections between Friedrich Merz and Jeffrey Epstein demonstrable

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A thorough investigation into possible connections between Friedrich Merz, the German Chancellor and CDU leader, and Jeffrey Epstein, the convicted sex offender, reveals no substantial evidence of a direct or indirect relationship. The analysis is based on available official data, media reports, and the provided web sources. The relevant aspects are systematically examined below to clearly separate speculation from facts. Context and Background Friedrich Merz is a prominent German politician who has served as Chancellor since May 2025. Before his political career, he worked as a business lawyer and lobbyist, including for companies such as BlackRock and the Association of the Chemical Industry (VCI). He also chaired the Atlantik-Brücke, an influential organization promoting transatlantic relations. Jeffrey Epstein was a US investment banker who was indicted in 2019 for sex trafficking of minors and committed suicide in pretrial detention. He was known for his network of influential figures, including politicians,… 

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Germany Left Behind in the AI Race: A Lost Competition for the Future

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Artificial intelligence (AI) is considered the key technology of the 21st century, comparable to the steam engine or electricity. It promises to fundamentally transform the economy, society, and science. However, while countries like the USA, China, and even smaller nations like Israel and Great Britain are advancing in the global AI race, Germany appears to have fallen behind. Despite ambitious strategies and multi-billion euro funding programs, the Federal Republic lags in key areas such as research, innovation, commercialization, and securing skilled workers. This report examines the reasons for Germany's lag, based on official data, peer-reviewed studies, and expert statements. An Ambitious Strategy Lacking Impact In November 2018, the German government published its "National AI Strategy," which was intended to strengthen Germany as an AI location with an initial budget of three billion euros by 2025. The goal was to make Germany and Europe "a leading force in AI research and application." In August 2023… 

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