California-based Meitheal Pharmaceuticals has announced the launch of its liraglutide injections in the US following an approval of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This injection is a generic equivalent for Victoza, which is a once-daily noninsulin medicine that lowers blood sugar and A1C. Notably, Victoza is not approved for weight loss, however, a higher dose of liraglutide, sold under the brand name Saxenda, is FDA-approved for weight management.

What Exactly Is Liraglutide?

A liraglutide injection is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist. It is available as an injector pen and used along with diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults and pediatric patients aged 10 years and older with type 2 diabetes. While liraglutide is akin to semaglutide, because it is a GLP-1 agonist, there is a primary difference. Semaglutide drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy are administered once weekly, while liraglutide is administered once every day.

New Liraglutide Injection Launched in Pack Of 3

Meitheal has launched liraglutide injection (18mg/3mL) in a three-pack and expects to bring additional pack sizes to market later this year. "We are pleased to be launching and bringing liraglutide injection to market-an important option for patients with type 2 diabetes at a time when there is increased demand and limited availability for these medications," said Tom Shea, Chief Executive Officer of Meitheal. "This generic provides patients with a more accessible GLP-1 treatment option, and we look forward to delivering it to our customers as quickly as possible and ensuring a sustainable, high-quality supply," he added.

Is The New Liraglutide Injection Safe For Everyone?

Before using Liraglutide, tell your health care provider if you:

• Have or have had problems with your pancreas, kidneys, or liver.
• Have any other medical conditions or severe problems with your stomach, such as slowed emptying of your stomach (gastroparesis) or problems with digesting food.
• They are scheduled to have surgery or other procedures that use anesthesia or deep sleepiness (deep sedation).
• They are pregnant or breastfeeding or plan to become pregnant or breastfeed.

President Donald Trump, 79, appeared noticeably sweaty during an interview on CBS’s 60 Minutes, sparking concern and speculation about his health. The interview, filmed at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort on Friday, drew attention online, including from pro-Democratic influencer Harry Sisson, 23, whom Trump had previously targeted on his Truth Social account with an AI video depicting him being drenched during a “No Kings” protest.

Sisson reacted strongly to the president’s Sunday interview appearance: “He looks absolutely awful. He’s incoherent, rambling, and looks like he’s dripping in sweat. This man is not well!” His comments prompted many others on social media to weigh in.

Online Users Raise Health Concerns After Donald Trump’s 60 Minutes Interview

Harry Sisson, one of Trump’s most vocal critics, noted on X that the president “looks absolutely awful.” Sisson added, “He’s incoherent, rambling, and looks like he’s dripping in sweat. This man is not well!”

Other online users quickly speculated that something may be off with the president, who has faced persistent rumors about dementia in recent months. One wrote: “DJT actually looks like he has been sedated. The eyes are blank. He’s on so much medication to keep him going in addition to having dementia.”

Another user suggested that Trump may have suffered a stroke and is “easily losing it,” urging the public to “pray for him.”

Donald Trump Health Issues

When Trump returned to public appearances after his break in August, he was photographed with a bruised hand coated in makeup. The White House explained the mark as the result of “constantly working and shaking hands all day every day.”

During an event on September 11 commemorating the 24th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, some observers raised concerns about Trump’s drooping facial expression, leading to online speculation about a potential stroke. Last month, Trump addressed his health publicly, mentioning he had received an MRI scan, which he described as “perfect.”

“I had an MRI, and it came back perfect,” he stated, as per CNN, giving no additional details. This comment came amid repeated questions to the White House about images showing the 79-year-old president’s swollen ankles and a bruised hand covered in makeup. It was also disclosed that he has been diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency.

Donald Trump Stroke Issues

Former White House physician Jeffrey Kuhlman questioned the timing and results of Trump’s medical visit to Walter Reed Military Medical Center. The president was also pictured gripping the handrail tightly while descending Air Force One during a trip to Japan, fueling further concerns about his health during the five-day Asia trip.

Previously, Trump joked about needing caution on stairs during a speech at the U.S. Navy’s 250th anniversary, admitting he might “fall walking up or down a flight of stairs one day” but claiming he remains a better “physical specimen” than his predecessor, Joe Biden.

The United States has a long history of presidents concealing health issues. President Woodrow Wilson experienced multiple strokes during his time in office, while Franklin D. Roosevelt fell ill during his third term, with his personal physician continuing to describe his condition as “satisfactory.”

The head of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s drug division abruptly stepped down on Sunday after federal authorities began investigating “serious concerns” about his personal conduct, according to an agency spokesperson. Dr. George Tidmarsh, who took over the position in July, was placed on administrative leave Friday after officials in the Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Office of General Counsel were alerted to the matter, said HHS press secretary Emily Hilliard in an email statement. Tidmarsh submitted his resignation two days later.

“Secretary Kennedy expects the highest level of integrity from all officials under his leadership and remains fully committed to transparency,” Hilliard said.

Top FDA Drug Regulator Resigns Amid Misconduct Probe

Tidmarsh’s resignation coincided with a lawsuit filed by a pharmaceutical company tied to one of his former business associates. The company, Aurinia Pharmaceuticals, accused him of making “false and defamatory statements” while serving in his FDA role. The lawsuit claims Tidmarsh used his federal position to pursue a “personal vendetta” against Aurinia’s board chairman, Kevin Tang. Tang had previously sat on the boards of several biotech firms where Tidmarsh held executive roles, including La Jolla Pharmaceutical, and was allegedly involved in removing him from those posts.

In September, Tidmarsh questioned the safety and effectiveness of Aurinia’s lupus medication, Lupkynis, in a LinkedIn post that he later deleted. Aurinia maintains the drug is both safe and effective, citing results from two large clinical trials and its full FDA approval in 2021.

His exit comes amid a period of significant turnover within U.S. health agencies under Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Earlier this year, longtime vaccine official Peter Marks was dismissed, followed by gene therapy director Nicole Verdun.

In another leadership shake-up, Dr. Vinay Prasad, head of the FDA’s vaccines and biologics division, resigned in July after facing criticism from conservative groups close to former President Donald Trump but rejoined the agency two weeks later at Kennedy’s request.

Internal Strain at the FDA

The FDA’s drug division, previously overseen by Tidmarsh, has been struggling with heavy staff losses, more than 1,000 employees have reportedly left in the past year due to layoffs or resignations. The center is the agency’s largest branch, responsible for reviewing, approving, and monitoring the safety of both prescription and over-the-counter medicines.

In September, Tidmarsh sparked widespread attention after posting publicly on LinkedIn that Aurinia’s kidney drug “had not been shown to provide a direct clinical benefit for patients.” It is highly unusual for an FDA official to single out a specific company or product on social media.

Aurinia claims that Tidmarsh’s comments caused its stock to drop by 20%, erasing more than $350 million in shareholder value. Tidmarsh later deleted the post and stated that he had shared it in a personal capacity rather than as an FDA representative.

The company’s lawsuit also alleges that Tidmarsh targeted another drug, a thyroid medication produced by American Laboratories, where Tang also serves as board chair.

Filed in U.S. District Court in Maryland, the lawsuit seeks both compensatory and punitive damages, as well as a chance to “set the record straight,” according to Aurinia Pharmaceuticals.

Bacon and ham sold in the UK should carry warning labels similar to those found on cigarette packets, urging consumers to be aware that the chemicals they contain may cause bowel cancer, scientists have said. Researchers have criticised successive British governments for doing “almost nothing” to cut risks from nitrites in the ten years since these compounds were confirmed as carcinogenic.

Calls for Health Warnings On Popular Meats In The UK

It has been nearly a decade since the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) identified processed meat as a Group 1 carcinogen, a classification given when there is strong evidence that a substance can cause cancer. This places products like bacon and ham in the same category as tobacco and asbestos.

Despite this, the UK government continues to face pressure to regulate or ban nitrite preservatives used in many processed meats. These additives help meat retain its pink colour, enhance taste, and prevent spoilage, but they are now believed to contribute to tens of thousands of cancer cases in the UK every year. Once consumed, nitrites can convert into compounds known as nitrosamines, which are powerful carcinogens capable of damaging DNA, the genetic code that directs cell growth and division.

What Are Nitrosamines?

Nitrosamines are chemical compounds that can form when certain amines react with nitrites or other nitrosating agents. They are considered probable human carcinogens because of their ability to harm DNA. Nitrosamines can occur in cured and grilled meats, drinking water, and even some medications, prompting recalls and regulatory action in the past.

What Is a Carcinogen?

According to the Cleveland Clinic, a carcinogen is any substance or agent that can cause cancer by altering or damaging a cell’s DNA. Carcinogens can be natural or man-made and include physical factors such as ultraviolet radiation, chemical agents like asbestos or tobacco smoke, and biological elements such as certain viruses. While exposure increases the likelihood of developing cancer, it does not mean cancer will always occur.

Is Meat Consumption Leading to Cancer Cases in the UK?

Inside the body, nitrosamines can attach to DNA in the liver, forming DNA adducts, small chemical bonds that distort genetic structure. This damage can lead to mutations that, over time, allow abnormal cell growth and tumour formation, especially in the colon.

These compounds can also trigger internal stress by generating reactive oxygen species, unstable molecules that cause further DNA harm. This combination of oxidative stress and genetic instability is a known pathway in cancer development and progression.

Experts estimate that nitrites in processed meats have been linked to about 54,000 cases of colorectal cancer in the UK over the past decade. Since the IARC’s 2015 classification, the scientific evidence reinforcing this connection has grown even stronger. New studies continue to show a clear relationship between eating processed meat and increased bowel cancer risk. Other research has found that women who eat processed meats weekly face a higher likelihood of breast cancer compared with those who don’t.

The greatest danger comes from meats treated with nitrites. In response, the European Union has tightened its food safety standards, lowering allowable nitrite levels and promoting safer alternatives.

Are Nitrites Really Necessary for Meat Safety?

Food manufacturers who oppose stricter rules claim that removing nitrites could increase bacterial contamination risks. However, many scientists and food safety experts disagree, saying that with current refrigeration and hygiene standards, it is entirely possible to produce safe cured meats without nitrites.

A Call for Preventive Action

Health advocates argue that the UK government should take stronger steps by phasing out harmful preservatives and improving product labelling to help consumers make informed decisions. They note that post-Brexit Britain now trails the EU in food safety regulations, where stricter nitrite limits are already in place.

From a public health standpoint, dietary carcinogens such as nitrites are seen as a preventable cause of cancer. Cutting exposure could help reduce the country’s overall cancer burden and ease pressure on healthcare services.