7 days in healthcare (September 22nd-28th, 2025)

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Summary

The week’s most impactful health news stories were:

  • Biomedicine: Huntington’s chorea successfully treated for the first time in a therapeutic trial.
  • Global Health: RFK Jr. could undo the strategies that normalized vaccination in the 20th century.
  • International Health Policy: The Lancet begins to evaluate the disastrous health outcomes of the Trump Administration’s policies, both in the United States and globally.
  • National Health Policy: CESM and SMA consider the latest Framework Statute proposal to be “a new insult to the medical profession.”
  • Companies: Pfizer enters the obesity treatment business.

Biomedicine

  • Huntington’s chorea successfully treated for the first time in a therapeutic trial in the United Kingdom, using gene therapy.
  • Durotaxis: a new therapeutic target discovered against metastatic cancer. Tumor hardness is not only a diagnostic sign, but is essential for metastasis. These “highways” have been identified as functioning like a GPS that guides tumor cells. It is believed that this may be a new dimension for blocking the spread of cancer.

Global Health

  • RFK Jr. could undo the strategies that normalized vaccination in the 20th century. The rise of this heterodox man to power in the Trump Administration threatens to reverse the great advances achieved, primarily through the alliance of the military, industry, and science.
  • Are healthcare systems prepared for Alzheimer’s? Thanks to the emergence of new biomarkers, the disease can now be diagnosed, and optimal management of Alzheimer’s involves early detection.
  • 42% of cancer deaths are linked to 42 preventable risk factors. The clearest example is tobacco, but there are others. All are well-known to scientists: obesity, high blood sugar levels, unhealthy diets, alcohol and other drug use, sedentary lifestyle, etc. And there are a good handful that aren’t usually in the public’s hands, such as pollution or exposure to radon, asbestos, or arsenic.

International Health Policy

  • The Lancet begins to assess the Trump Administration’s grim health outcomes. The Department of Health has made deep cuts, breaking up agencies like the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Clinical trials have been canceled. Scientists and students are leaving the country. An estimated 10 million Americans will lose Medicaid coverage. Rural clinics and hospitals are closing. Vaccine hesitancy is growing. The number of measles cases is the highest since 1992. Medicaid cuts alone are estimated to result in 10,000 deaths. This only considers the impact of health policies. There are also impacts from inequality, housing, and so on. The closure of USAID alone is estimated to result in 14 million deaths globally. It is important to find a way to bring these disasters to the attention of the public.
  • Trump intends to impose a 100% tariff on patented medicines from pharmaceutical companies that do not have a plant in the US. The message, once again, was launched on his social media platform (Truth Social). “Starting October 1, 2025, we will apply a 100 percent tariff on any branded or patented pharmaceutical product, unless a company is building its pharmaceutical plant in the US.” Blackmail and bullying are the main weapon of political negotiation.
  • The Minister of Science says the UK wants to reach an agreement with the pharmaceutical industry. The government is prepared to pay more for medicines, says Lord Patrick Vallance. These statements follow the collapse of talks between the pharmaceutical industry and the NHS, as well as the announcement of the withdrawal of investments in the UK by both AstraZeneca and Merck.

National Health Policy (Spain)

  • CESM and SMA consider the latest proposal for the Framework Statute to be “a new insult to the medical community.” The question is: does a Statute that provokes such a belligerent stance from medical unions make sense, not to mention professional groups, who have never been seriously consulted?
  • The Ministry of Health is preparing Spain’s integration into the European Health Data Area. The ministry is launching a preliminary public consultation, which will be open until October 20, to adapt the Spanish legal system to the use of big data in research and clinical trials.
  • Catalonia will use diagnostic tests performed in private centers to reduce waiting lists. All users with mutual insurance companies will be able to enter X-rays and ultrasounds generated outside the public system into La Meva Salut through a new platform. A brave and useful measure for patients and the system.
  • Castilla-La Mancha creates the Network of Experts to develop its Precision Health Strategy. The Ministry of Health of Castilla-La Mancha has approved the creation of a regional structure for the design, development, and implementation of public health policies. This is the Network of Experts and Professionals in Precision Health of the Castilla-La Mancha Health System.
  • Healthcare competitive examinations in Asturias: Gijón’s great logistical challenge: hosting 50,000 healthcare competitive examination candidates at the fairgrounds in one weekend. As a logistical challenge, it may be interesting, but as a system for selecting personnel and filling vacancies, it couldn’t be more aberrant.

Companies

  • International
    • Pfizer buys Metsera and challenges Lilly and Novonordisk in the multi-million dollar anti-obesity treatment business. A strategic move by Pfizer. Metsera, valued at $7.3 billion. With this, Pfizer challenges groups such as Novonordisk and Lilly, which have led the industry in recent years.
  • National
    • HM Hospitals opens its Nuevo Norte hospital in the Las Tablas neighborhood (Madrid) with an investment of 30 million. Another milestone in the development of the largest private hospital network in the Community of Madrid.
    • 21% of healthcare technology companies suffered losses in 2023, according to FENIN, which compiled the accounts of these companies filed with the commercial registry.

Biomedicine

  • Durotaxis: a new therapeutic target against metastatic cancer discovered. Tumor hardness is not only a diagnostic signal but is essential for metastasis. These “highways” have been identified as functioning as a GPS that guides tumor cells. It is believed that this may be a new dimension in blocking cancer spread (https://elpais.com/ciencia/2025-09-25/durotaxis-descubierta-una-nueva-diana-terapeutica-contra-el-cancer-metastasico.html). Access the original article: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41556-025-01697-8/metrics
  • A new gene therapy based on “suicide genes” shows curative potential in Ewing’s sarcoma. These genes are so named because, when activated, they cause the tumor to self-destruct (https://gacetamedicom/investigacion/terapia-genica-genes-suicidas-sarcoma-ewing/). Access the original article: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40781473/
  • Huntington’s disease successfully treated for the first time in a therapeutic trial in the United Kingdom using gene therapy (https://www.theguardian.com/science/2025/sep/24/huntingtons-disease-treated-successfully-for-first-time-in-gene-therapy-trial). Reference to the original trial by the company uniQure: https://www.uniqure.com/investors-media/press-releases

Global Health

  • Are healthcare systems prepared for Alzheimer’s? Thanks to the emergence of new biomarkers, the disease can now be diagnosed, and optimal management of Alzheimer’s disease requires early detection (https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(25)01812-4/fulltext).
  • RFK Jr. could undo the strategies that normalized vaccination in the 20th century. The rise of this heterodox figure to power in the Trump Administration threatens a reversal of the great advances achieved, primarily through the alliance of the military, industry, and science (https://www.lemonde.fr/idees/article/2025/09/23/robert-kennedy-jr-pourrait-defaire-les-strategies-qui-ont-normalise-la-vaccination-au-xx-siecle_6642516_3232.html)
  • 42% of cancer deaths are linked to 42 preventable risk factors. The clearest example is tobacco, but there are others. All are well-known to scientists: obesity, high blood sugar levels, unhealthy diets, alcohol and other drug use, sedentary lifestyle, etc. And there are a good number that are not usually in the hands of the public, such as pollution or exposure to radon, asbestos, or arsenic (https://elpais.com/salud-y-bienestar/2025-09-25/el-42-de-las-muertes-por-cancer-estan-vinculadas-a-44-factores-de-riesgo-evitables.html9). Access the original article in The Lancet: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(25)01635-6/abstract
  • Cardiovascular diseases caused 1 in 3 deaths in 2023 (https://www.abc.es/salud/enfermedades/enfermedades-cardiovasculares-causaron-muertes-2023-20250924180023-nt.html). Access the original article: https://www.jacc.org/doi/10.1016/j.jacc.2025.08.015
  • GAVI warns of a lack of funding following US cuts; a $3 billion gap remains for 2026-2030 (https://gacetamedica.com/politica/gavi-fondos-recorte-estados-unidos/)

International Health Policy

  • USA
    • Trump intends to impose a 100% tariff on patented drugs from pharmaceutical companies that do not have a plant in the US. The message, once again, was launched on his social media platform (Truth Social). “Beginning October 1, 2025, we will apply a 100% tariff on any branded or patented pharmaceutical product, unless a company is building its pharmaceutical plant in the US” (https://www.eleconomista.es/economia/noticias/13563967/09/25/trump-impone-un-arancel-del-100-a-medicamentos-patentados-de-farmaceuticas-que-no-construyan-una-planta-en-eeuu.html)
    • Article in The Lancet: Assessing how the Trump Administration will affect health outcomes. The Department of Health has made deep cuts, breaking up agencies such as the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the CDC. Clinical trials have been canceled. Scientists and students are leaving the country. An estimated 10 million Americans will lose Medicaid coverage. Rural clinics and hospitals are closing. Vaccine hesitancy is growing. The number of measles cases is the highest since 1992. Medicaid cuts alone are estimated to result in 10,000 deaths. This only considers the impact of health policies. There are also impacts from inequality, housing, and so on. The closure of USAID alone is estimated to result in 14 million deaths globally. It is important to find a way to bring these disasters to the attention of the public (https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(25)01849-5/fulltext?rss=yes)
    • Health experts condemn US vaccine recommendations (https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(25)01956-7/fulltext)
    • RFK, Jr. says the US rejects global health goals (https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/25/health/rfk-jr-un-chronic-disease.html)
    • The Trump administration, against all experts, is trying to link Tylenol to autism (https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-025-02876-1)
    • Trump wants American pharmaceutical companies to bring prices closer to European ones (https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/25/health/drug-prices-trump.html)
    • How Trump’s tariffs will affect American medicines (https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/26/health/trump-drug-tariffs-prescription-costs.html)
  • United Kingdom
    • The science minister says the UK wants to end discussions with the pharmaceutical industry. The government is prepared to pay more for medicines, says Lord Patrick Vallance. These statements follow the collapse of talks between the pharmaceutical industry and the NHS, as well as the announcement of the withdrawal of investments in the UK by both AstraZeneca and Merck (https://wwft.com/content/47158365-8d96-4388-9c29-173a51a8792e)
  • France
    • The number of abortions continues to rise in France in 2024. A total of 251,270 procedures were performed, 7,000 more than in 2023 (https://www.lemonde.fr/societe/article/2025/09/25/le-nombre-d-avortements-a-continue-d-augmenter-en-france-en-2024_6642863_3224.html)
    • Artists and feminist activists demonstrate against the high mortality rate of clandestine abortions (https://www.lemonde.fr/societe/article/2025/09/28/des-artistes-et-des-militantes-feministes-se-mobilisent-pour-les-femmes-mortes-d-un-avortement-clandestin_6643225_3224.html)

National Health Policy

  • Central Administration Initiatives
    • The government will incorporate and finance apps and digital products as part of public health services (https://www.elespanol.com/invertia/observatorios/sanidad/20250923/gobierno-incorporara-financiara-apps-productos-digitales-parte-servicios-sanidad-publica/1003743935423_0.html)
    • The Ministry of Health is preparing for Spain’s integration into the European Health Data Area. The Ministry is launching a preliminary public consultation, which will run until October 20, to adapt the Spanish legal system to the use of big data in research and clinical trials (https://diariofarma.com/2025/09/22/sanidad-prepara-la-integracion-de-espana-en-el-espacio-europeo-de-datos-sanitarios)
    • The Ministry of Health is launching a public hearing on the draft Royal Decree on Universal Healthcare Access. Foreigners without a residence permit will have to declare that they do not have other health coverage and prove that they live in Spain to obtain the document that will grant access to medical care. (https://elpais.com/sociedad/2025-09-26/sanidad-saca-a-audiencia-publica-el-proyecto-de-real-decreto-de-acceso-sanitario-universal.html#:~:text=El%20Ministerio%20de%20Sanidad%20ha,con%20cargo%20a%20fondos%20públicos.)
    • The Ministry of Health is making progress in unifying criteria for health coverage for immigrants within the NHS (https://www.elmundo.es/ciencia-y-salud/salud/2025/09/26/68d6a1e0e4d4d854378b4598.html)
  • Autonomous community initiatives
    • Castilla La Mancha will open 48 new health centers in the next three years (https://theobjective.com/sanidad/2025-09-26/castilla-mancha-centros-salud/#:~:text=Bildu%20y%20ERC»-,Castilla%2DLa%20Mancha%20will%20open%2048%20health%20centers%20in%20three,an%20investment%20of%20300%20million&text=Castilla%2DLa%20Mancha%20will%20open%2048%20health%20centers%20in%20toda,y%20el%20resto%20en%202028.)
    • Catalonia will use diagnostic tests performed in private centers to reduce waiting lists. All members of the health insurance network will be able to enter X-rays and ultrasounds generated outside the public health system into La Meva Salut through a new platform (https://elpais.com/espana/catalunya/2025-09-26/cataluna-usara-las-pruebas-diagnosticas-realizadas-en-centros-privados-para-reducir-las-listas-de-espera.html)
    • 30,000 Andalusians now collect their hospital medication from community pharmacies (https://www.diariomedico.com/farmacia/comunitaria/30000-andaluces-recogen-medicacion-hospitalaria-farmacias-comunitarias.html)
    • Ayuso announces the expansion of the Niño Jesús Hospital with a new building (https://www.consalud.es/autonomias/c-madrid/ayuso-anuncia-la-ampliacion-del-hospital-nino-jesus-con-un-nuevo-edificio.html)
    • Castilla La Mancha creates the Network of Experts to develop its Precision Health Strategy. The Ministry of Health of Castilla-La Mancha has approved the creation of a regional structure for the design, development, and implementation of public health policies. This is the Network of Experts and Professionals in Precision Health of the Castilla-La Mancha Health System, composed of three bodies: Coordination, Board of Directors, and Advisory Committee. (https://www.redaccionmedica.com/autonomias/castilla-mancha/castilla-la-mancha-crea-la-red-de-expertos-en-salud-de-precision-6462)
    • Eight autonomous communities are working on a pilot program for Consultation Transcription Agents. Forty-seven primary care health centers from eight autonomous communities are participating, having already registered 3,131 consultations and received 750 surveys, with a satisfaction rating of 4/5. (https://diariofarma.com/2025/09/22/ocho-ccaa-trabajan-en-un-programa-piloto-de-agentes-de-transcripcion-de-consulta)
    • Health examinations in Asturias: Gijón’s great logistical challenge: hosting 50,000 health examination candidates at the fairgrounds over a weekend (https://www.lne.es/asturias/2025/09/27/gran-desafio-logistico-gijon-acoger-122000167.html)
    • The Rare Diseases Unit planned at the HUCA (Oviedo) will begin operating in 2026 (https://www.elcomercio.es/asturias/unidad-enfermedades-raras-prevista-huca-funcionamiento-20250926203738-nt.html#:~:text=Consejería%20de%20Salud%20trabaja%20en,operativa%20en%20junio%20de%202026.)

Companies

  • International
    • EFPIA: The pharmaceutical industry in figures (https://www.efpia.eu/media/uj0popel/the-pharmaceutical-industry-in-figures-2025.pdf)
    • The FDA recognizes the Apple Watch’s high blood pressure monitoring system (https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/boards-policy-regulation/us-fda-clears-apple-watch-hypertension-feature-2025-09-12/)
    • Pfizer buys Metsera and challenges Lilly and Novonordisk in the multi-million dollar obesity treatment business. Strategic move by Pfizer. Metsera, valued at $7.3 billion. With this, Pfizer challenges groups such as Novonordisk and Lilly, which have led this business in recent years (https://cincodias.elpais.com/companias/2025-09-22/pfizer-planea-comprar-metsera-por-6210-millones-para-atacar-el-millonario-negocio-de-los-tratamientos-anti-obesidad.html)
  • National
    • 21% of healthcare technology companies suffered losses in 2023, according to FENIN, for which it has compiled the accounts of these companies filed with the commercial registry (https://www.elespanol.com/invertia/observatorios/sanidad/20250924/empresas-sector-tecnologia-sanitaria-perdieron-dinero/1003743938646_0.html#:~:text=Más%20información%3A%20El%20sector%20de,más%20que%20el%20año%20anterior&text=La%20Federación%20Española%20de%20Empresas,Es%20decir%2C%20perdieron%20dinero.)
    • The debt of the regions with the healthcare technology companies reaches 1,000 million. The average payment period is 74 days, exceeding the agreed-upon 60 days (https://theobjective.com/economia/2025-09-25/deuda-regiones-empresas-tecnologia-sanitaria/#:~:text=no%20tiene%20espacio»-,La%20deuda%20de%20las%20regiones%20con%20las%20empresas,sanitaria%20alcanza%20los%201.000%20millones&text=La%20deuda%20pública%20de%20las,a%201.000%20millones%20de%20euros.)
    • HM Hospitals opens its Nuevo Norte hospital in the Las Tablas neighborhood (Madrid) with an investment of 30 million euros. (https://www.elespanol.com/invertia/observatorios/sanidad/20250924/hm-hospitales-inaugura-hospital-nuevo-norte-inversion-millones-ofrecera-atencion-integral/1003743939021_0.html)
    • Sanitas will open new mental healthcare centers in Madrid, Murcia, and Alicante (https://www.elespanol.com/invertia/observatorios/sanidad/20250921/sanitas-abrira-centros-cuidado-salud-mental-madrid-murcia-alicante/1003743931919_0.html)
    • The Valencian Health Department is demanding €302 million in settlements from Ribera Salud and Sanitas concessions. (https://www.eleconomista.es/salud-bienestar/noticias/13559852/09/25/la-sanidad-valenciana-reclama-302-millones-en-liquidaciones-a-concesiones-de-ribera-salud-y-sanitas.html)

This post is also available in: Spanish