7 days in healthcare (February 23rd-March 1st, 2026)

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Summary

The week’s most impactful health news stories were:

  • Biomedicine: An mRNA vaccine shows potential in triple-negative breast cancer.
  • Global Health: Why does the US vaccine recall not only affect the US?
  • International Health Policy: Two prosecutors and 13 states oppose RFK, Jr.’s anti-vaccine policies.
  • National Health Policy: Feijóo (PP) is open to considering a specific statute for doctors.
  • Business: Pharmaceutical companies are building bridges to the patent precipice.

Biomedicine

  • An mRNA vaccine shows potential in triple-negative breast cancer. A preliminary trial with 14 patients with triple-negative breast cancer indicates that it triggers robust immune responses safely and lastingly.
  • A new single-pill treatment for HIV promises a solution for survivors of this disease.
  • The discovery of genetic variants that predispose individuals to smoking opens new therapeutic avenues against tobacco addiction. Smoking is responsible for millions of deaths worldwide each year. Although its harmful effects are widely known, addiction makes quitting smoking a difficult task, and available treatment options remain limited.

Global Health

  • Why does the US withdrawal of vaccines not only affect the US? The modification of the childhood vaccination schedule by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) last January will foreseeably have public health implications for the American population, but the consequences may extend further. The CDC removed six of the 17 vaccines previously recommended for this population segment: the flu and COVID-19 vaccines for children, as well as those for rotavirus, meningitis, hepatitis A, and hepatitis B. These vaccines can still be administered in the US, but only after consultation with a specialist, that is, under the shared clinical decision-making approach coined by the US administration.

International Health Policy

  • Two Attorneys General and 13 States Oppose RFK Jr.’s Anti-Vaccine Policies. A coalition of 14 state attorneys general, led by California Attorney General Rob Bonta and Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes, has filed a multistate lawsuit against the Trump Administration for the “unprecedented” changes to the childhood immunization schedule.
  • Robert F. Kennedy Jr.: A Year of Failures. Serious errors in vaccine policy, nutritional recommendations, and cuts to research.
  • Europe Wants to Guarantee Diagnosis of Rare Diseases within 12 Months. The European Parliament is finalizing an initiative to create a binding framework for these illnesses. The current average for a diagnosis exceeds four years.

National Health Policy (Spain)

  • Feijóo (PP) is open to considering a specific statute for doctors. He has conveyed to physicians that he supports the need for them to have their own negotiating body. The unions’ virtual monopoly on negligence with the Administration, contrary to the consideration of the “professionalism” of doctors and other professionals.
  • In its submissions to the Ministry, the FADSP (Federation of Associations for the Defense of Public Health) states that the safeguards established in the Draft Law on Public Management to prevent the “privatization” of the National Health System (SNS) seem insufficient. Submissions are also expected from the IDIS Foundation and ASPE, most likely taking a very different stance, given the attack that the Draft Law on Public Management represents on public/private partnerships in healthcare, proposing a change along “Podemos-style” lines to the General Health Law.

Companies

  • International
    • Pharmaceutical companies are building bridges to the patent precipice. Only 10% of the drug revenues of the top 20 firms will still have patent protection in a decade.
  • National News
    • FENIN calls for institutional support to increase medical technology manufacturing in Spain. Fenin has presented the study ‘Medical Technology Manufacturers in Spain’, which offers a comprehensive overview of the sector’s contribution to the national economy.

Biomedicine

  • Grail’s cancer detection test fails in a major study. The test seemed promising for avoiding late cancer diagnoses, but this has not been confirmed in a large clinical trial (https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/20/health/cancer-detection-test-grail.html)
  • Longevity and wellness are driving the promotion of miracle cures, never tested on humans. Health influencers play a significant role in this (https://www.ft.com/content/0f682ce3-b0e7-46bc-8d1a-e288f24ad8de)
  • A new one-time HIV pill promises a solution for survivors of the disease (https://www.ft.com/content/4fe55a54-0d89-4dca-9724-cc22044dc0fa). Original article in The Lancet: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(26)00307-7/fulltext
  • Vegetarians have a lower risk of five cancers, including breast, prostate, and kidney cancer (https://www.ft.com/content/ce5a1436-51a8-4d3c-9eaa-4c8644bacf83)
  • The discovery of genetic variants that predispose individuals to smoking opens new therapeutic avenues for combating tobacco addiction. Smoking is responsible for millions of deaths worldwide each year. Although its harmful effects are widely known, addiction makes quitting smoking a difficult task, and the available treatment options remain limited (https://elpais.com/expres/2026-02-25/el-hallazgo-de-variantes-geneticas-que-predisponen-a-fumar-abre-nuevas-vias-terapeuticas-contra-la-adiccion-al-tabaco.html)
  • The first vaccine to prevent four cancers: colon, rectum, endometrium, and stomach. A Spanish researcher is leading pioneering research against Lynch syndrome at the MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston (https://www.abc.es/salud/primera-vacuna-prevenir-cuatro-tumores-colon-recto-20260214042656-nt.html)
  • A living drug has eliminated tumors in mice with pancreatic, ovarian, or kidney cancer (https://elpais.com/salud-y-bienestar/2026-02-26/un-farmaco-viviente-logra-eliminar-los-tumores-de-ratones-con-cancer-de-pancreas-ovario-o-rinon.html). Access the original article: https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adv7378
  • An mRNA vaccine shows potential in triple-negative breast cancer. A preliminary trial with 14 patients with triple-negative breast cancer indicates that it triggers robust immune responses safely and lastingly (https://www.diariomedico.com/medicina/oncologia/vacuna-arnm-muestra-potencial-cancer-mama-triple-negativo.html)
  • When ChatGPT becomes the medical record in direct-to-consumer care. Interesting analysis from Health Affairs magazine (https://www.healthaffairs.org/do/10.1377/forefront.20260210.132574/full/)

Global Health

  • Africa lags behind in surgeries that prevent the leading cause of blindness. Three out of four people on the continent do not have access to cataract surgery. Experts warn that there are also gaps in the intervention for glaucoma and eye injuries in children (https://elpais.com/planeta-futuro/2026-02-23/africa-a-la-cola-de-las-cirugias-que-previenen-la-principal-causa-de-ceguera-nadie-deberia-perder-la-vista-por-cataratas.html)
  • The UN proposes a roadmap for Bolivia to reverse its high maternal mortality rates. The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) presented a strategy on Tuesday for Bolivia to control and reduce maternal mortality (https://www.abc.es/espana/propone-ruta-bolivia-revierta-altos-ndices-mortalidad-20260225031647-vi.html)
  • Why does the US vaccine recall not only affect the US? The modification of the childhood vaccination schedule by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) last January will predictably have public health implications for the American population, but the consequences may extend further. The CDC removed six of the 17 vaccines previously recommended for this population segment: the flu and COVID-19 vaccines for children, as well as those for rotavirus, meningitis, hepatitis A, and hepatitis B. These vaccines can still be administered in the U.S., but only after consultation with a specialist, that is, under the shared clinical decision-making approach coined by the U.S. administration. (https://www.diariomedico.com/medicina/medicina-preventiva/retirada-vacunas-eeuu-afecta-eeuu.html)

International Health Policy

  • USA
    • The growing success of Medicare drug negotiations, which will achieve significant discounts on 15 new medications in 2027 (https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMp2517584)
    • The new US dietary guidelines: a recipe for worse health. Poor adherence to scientific evidence (https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(26)00300-4/fulltext)
    • Federal reforms of PBMs. There is agreement between both parties, Democrats and Republicans, for this reform (https://www.healthaffairs.org/do/10.1377/forefront.20260223.563817/full/)
    • Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., a year of missteps. Serious errors in vaccine policy, nutritional recommendations, and research cuts (https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(26)00414-9/fulltext)
    • Obamacare’s new plans could increase family deductibles by up to $31,000, potentially raising bills for families (https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/26/health/obamacare-health-insurance-rollbacks.html)
    • Two attorneys general and 13 states oppose RFK Jr.’s anti-vaccine policies. A coalition of 14 state attorneys general, led by California Attorney General Rob Bonta and Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes, has filed a multistate lawsuit against the Trump Administration over “unprecedented” changes to the childhood vaccination schedule. (https://gacetamedica.com/politica/fiscales-guerra-politicas-antivacunas-kennedy-jr-eeuu/)
  • France
    • The end-of-life bill has been approved by the Congress and returns to the Senate, along with the bill on palliative care (https://www.lemonde.fr/societe/article/2026/02/25/fin-de-vie-l-assemblee-nationale-approuve-la-proposition-de-loi-instaurant-un-droit-a-l-aide-a-mourir-le-texte-transmis-au-senat_6668257_3224.html)

National Health Policy

  • Central Government
    • Public comment periods for the Draft Bills on Patient Participation and Public Management and Integrity of the National Health System. The deadline for both drafts is March 4, 2026 (https://www.sanidad.gob.es/normativa/audiencia/home.htm)
  • Regional Governments
    • Andalusia creates specialist research categories for physicians and nurses. The Minister of Health, Antonio Sanz, highlights that “it is the first autonomous community to integrate clinical research into the heart of the healthcare system” (https://www.consalud.es/autonomias/andalucia/andalucia-crea-las-categorias-de-facultativo-y-enfermera-especialistas-clinicos-investigadores.html)
    • Valdecilla Hospital activates a unit for Rare Diseases. With funding from European and regional sources, the Rare Diseases Unit at Valdecilla Hospital will integrate 12 medical disciplines (https://diariofarma.com/2026/02/26/valdecilla-activa-en-marzo-su-nueva-unidad-de-ee-rr-en-la-que-realizara-2-000-atenciones-anuales)
    • Alfonso X University has set a date for admission of medical and nursing students in Oviedo. UAX sets the goal of “building a hub for job creation and talent retention” linked to the health sciences sector in Asturias (https://www.elcomercio.es/oviedo/universidad-alfonso-fecha-proceso-admision-estudiantes-medicina-20260226153026-nt.html)
    • The HUCA (Central University Hospital of Asturias) has interminable delays in dermatology; they postpone the review of an oncological lesion for a year (https://www.lne.es/asturias/2026/03/01/efectos-demoras-interminables-dermatologia-huca-127401441.html)
  • Problems with the Framework Statute
    • Feijóo (PP) is open to considering a specific Statute for doctors; he has conveyed to physicians that he defends the need for them to have a framework for negotiation (https://www.elespanol.com/invertia/observatorios/sanidad/20260227/feijoo-pp-ofrece-valorar-estatuto-marco-exclusivo-medicos-hara-propuesta-proxima-semana/1003744147664_0.html)
    • Mónica García speaks out again against a specific statute for doctors. The Minister of Health, Mónica García, has stated that she sees no need for doctors to have their own statute because “their specificities fit within a common statute” (https://www.abc.es/espana/mnica-garca-estatuto-propio-mdicos-solo-servira-20260223135741-vi.html).
  • Public Management Law
    • In its submissions to the Ministry, the FADSP (Federation of Associations for the Defense of Public Healthcare) states that the safeguards established in the Draft Law on Public Management to prevent the “privatization” of the National Health System (SNS) seem insufficient (https://cronicasanitaria.es/2026/02/27/fadsp-considera-que-la-ley-para-limitar-la-colaboracion-publico-privada-en-sanidad-no-garantiza-un-blindaje-suficiente/). Access to FADSP’s allegations: https://fadsp.es/alegaciones-fadsp-ley-sns/

Companies

  • International
    • Gilead heats up biotechnology: buys Arcellx for €6.6 billion to strengthen its position in cancer treatment (https://cincodias.elpais.com/companias/2026-02-23/gilead-calienta-la-biotecnologia-compra-arcellx-por-6600-millones-para-reforzarse-en-los-tratamientos-de-cancer.html)
    • The Novo Nordisk Foundation supports quantum computing beyond Denmark (https://www.ft.com/content/8896a881-5246-4bfd-a989-8e6612026bcf)
    • Novo Nordisk’s stock price plummets after trials of its new obesity drug (https://www.vozpopuli.com/sanitatem/novo-nordisk-se-desploma-en-bolsa-tras-los-ensayos-de-su-nuevo-medicamento-contra-la-obesidad.html)
    • Why pharmaceutical products have not been affected by Trump’s tariffs, an analysis by David Cantarero (IDIVAL) (https://elglobalfarma.com/politica/por-que-productos-farmaceuticos-libran-arancel-trump/)
    • Pharmaceutical companies are buying bridges to the patent precipice. Only 10% of the pharmaceutical revenues of the top 20 companies will still be protected in a decade (https://cincodias.elpais.com/opinion/2026-02-25/las-farmaceuticas-compran-puentes-para-el-precipicio-de-las-patentes.html)
  • National
    • FENIN calls for institutional support to increase medical technology manufacturing in Spain. Fenin has presented the study ‘Medical Technology Manufacturers in Spain’, which offers a comprehensive overview of the sector’s contribution to the national economy (https://www.diariomedico.com/medicina/empresas/fenin-reclama-apoyo-institucional-aumentar-fabricacion-tecnologia-sanitaria-espana.html). Access the original report: https://fenin.es/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/FENIN-Informe_Estudio-Fabricantes-TS-Espana-2025.pdf
    • Rovi increases R&D investment by 47% in 2025 (https://elglobalfarma.com/industria/rovi-incremento-inversion-id-2025/)
    • Almirall quadruples profits thanks to the surge in biological drugs (https://www.expansion.com/empresas/2026/02/23/699bf97e468aeb73618b459b.html)

This post is also available in: Spanish