Summary

The week’s most impactful health news stories were:

• Biomedicine: Scientists are working on “universal vaccines.”
• Global health: UN report: More than 4 million displaced by the Middle East conflict.
• International health policy: The Trump Administration announces new tariffs on medicines.
• National health policy: Xenoma Galicia: the challenge of genotyping one in seven citizens.
• Companies: Anthropic joins Google and Microsoft in the multi-billion dollar battle for AI in healthcare.

Biomedicine

• Scientists are working on “universal vaccines”. A simple injection can protect against a wide range of pathogens.
• Heritable human genome editing: a critical paradigm in evolution. Heritable human genome editing (HHGE) remains an ongoing project.
• E-cigarettes found to cause long-term mouth and lung cancer. The social perception that e-cigarettes are a harmless alternative to traditional tobacco is being dismantled by recent scientific evidence.

Global Health

• UN report as of March 26 on the consequences of the conflict in the Middle East, in terms of displaced persons, injuries, and deaths. Between Iran and Lebanon, more than 4 million displaced persons. A major humanitarian catastrophe.
• WHO Member States expand negotiations on the key annex to the Pandemic Agreement. The objective of the PABS annex is to ensure that the exchange of pathogens with pandemic potential occurs swiftly and on equal terms.
• The war with Iran puts the supply of essential medicines to Europe at risk. Countries like Sweden and the United Kingdom fear that the conflict will soon increase shortages.

International Health Policy

• The Trump Administration announces new tariffs on medicines. Trump announces tariffs on 100% of medicines, while warning companies that have not lowered prices or made investments in the USA.
• Postal code predicts cancer prognosis. The OECD, together with the European Commission, has just published a nearly 300-page report—Delivering High Value Cancer Care—that examines inequalities in cancer care in Europe.

National Health Policy (Spain)

• Xenoma Galicia: the challenge of genotyping one in seven citizens to develop a Galician DNA map. Galicia accelerates the world’s largest genomic study per capita: how a €20 million plan seeks to create the most accurate genetic map on the planet and transform cancer prevention.
• The nine points governing the accreditation of Catalan healthcare centers. These will apply to the entire public healthcare system (SISCAT) and are: 1. Leadership; 2. Strategy; 3. People management; 4. Partnerships and resources; 5. Processes; 6. Results for citizens; 7. Results for staff; 8. Results for society; 9. Key results.

Companies

• International
  • Anthropic joins Google and Microsoft in the multi-billion dollar battle for AI in healthcare. The tech giant Anthropic announced the acquisition of the biotech startup Coefficient BIO for $400 million, in a further step towards the convergence of artificial intelligence and the healthcare sector.

• National
  • Five Catalan hospitals join forces to purchase Chinese surgical robots. The joint purchase of the robots has allowed the five centers to save 21% (€3.5 million) compared to the initial tender.

Biomedicine

• Scientists transform plastic waste into levodopa, a Parkinson’s drug (https://www.bmj.com/content/392/bmj.s616)
• Scientists are working on “universal vaccines.” A single injection could protect against a wide range of pathogens (https://www.economist.com/science-and-technology/2026/04/01/scientists-are-working-on-everything-vaccines)
• Heritable human genome editing: a critical paradigm in evolution. Heritable human genome editing (HHGE) remains an ongoing project (https://www.amjmed.com/article/S0002-9343(25)00705-3/fulltext)
• Spanish pharmaceutical company Ferrer is using a Phase III clinical trial to test a new drug to treat ALS. This is pridopidine, which has also shown positive results in Huntington’s disease (https://www.elespanol.com/invertia/observatorios/sanidad/20260330/farmaceutica-espanola-ferrer-ultima-ensayo-clinico-fase-iii-probar-nuevo-farmaco-tratar-ela/1003744185980_0.html)
• E-cigarettes have been found to cause long-term mouth and lung cancer. The social perception that e-cigarettes are a harmless alternative to traditional tobacco is being dismantled by recent scientific evidence. A team of researchers from Australia has conducted a comprehensive review of studies carried out between 2017 and 2025, drawing conclusions that directly link the use of these devices to the development of cancer. (https://www.elmundo.es/ciencia-y-salud/salud/2026/03/30/69ca9fbb21efa07c2a8b4592-video.html)

Global Health

• The global battle to reduce infant deaths is losing momentum. More than 60 countries are on track to meet the United Nations’ 2050 targets, although solutions exist (https://www.science.org/content/article/we-re-failing-newborns-global-push-reduce-infant-deaths-losing-steam)
• Childhood cancer: progress, but not enough (https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(26)00655-0/fulltext). Access the CONCORD-4 study, published by The Lancet: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(26)00189-3/fulltext
• UN report as of March 26 on the consequences of the conflict in the Middle East, in terms of displaced persons, injuries, and deaths. Between Iran and Lebanon, more than 4 million displaced persons. A major humanitarian catastrophe (https://cdn.who.int/media/docs/default-source/middle-east-situation-report/middle-east-conflict-global-situation-report-26-march-2026.pdf?sfvrsn=600e236_7&download=true)
• WHO Member States expand negotiations on the key annex to the Pandemic Agreement. The objective of Annex PABS is to ensure that the exchange of pathogens with pandemic potential occurs swiftly and on equal terms, and that the benefits generated from their use—such as vaccines, diagnostic tests, or treatments—are distributed fairly and equitably. (https://www.consalud.es/politica/los-estados-miembros-de-la-oms-amplian-las-negociaciones-del-anexo-clave-del-acuerdo-sobre-pandemias.html)
• The war with Iran puts the supply of essential medicines to Europe at risk. Countries like Sweden and the United Kingdom fear that the conflict will soon increase shortages, while Spain is confident that the strength of the generics sector will mitigate the tensions already affecting supply chains (https://elpais.com/sociedad/2026-04-05/la-guerra-en-iran-pone-en-riesgo-el-suministro-de-medicamentos-esenciales-a-europa.html)
• Harmonization and safety: the African Medicines Agency’s roadmap to transform the continent (https://www.consalud.es/industria/armonizacion-y-seguridad-la-hoja-de-ruta-de-la-agencia-africana-de-medicamentos-para-transformar-el-continente.html)

International Health Policy

• USA
  • The Trump Administration announces new tariffs on medications. Trump announces tariffs on 100% of medications, while warning companies that have not lowered prices or made investments in the USA (https://www.ft.com/content/25ecf952-2fca-4ac0-9f72-69949c929a62?syn-25a6b1a6=1)
  • Trump announces changes to family planning: from contraception to conception. He wants to eliminate subsidies for current plans (https://www.politico.com/news/2026/04/03/trump-admin-moves-title-x-family-planning-program-away-from-contraception-towards-conception-00858913)
  • The FDA is expected to lift restrictions on peptides, in accordance with the wishes of RFK, Jr. The peptides, which are advertised as facilitators of longevity and health benefits, had been withdrawn from the market in 2023 (https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/31/health/peptide-ban-fda-rfk-jr.html)
  • The US gives the green light to the first obesity pill that can be taken at any time of day and without restrictions (from Lilly, following Novo Nordisk’s) (https://www.elmundo.es/ciencia-y-salud/salud/2026/04/01/69cd4f42e4d4d806098b45b5.html)

• United Kingdom
  • Abortion rates in England and Wales are at record highs since it was legalized in 1967 (https://www.bmj.com/content/392/bmj.s562)
  • The government is urging pharmaceutical companies to invest in the UK after the price agreement with the USA (https://www.ft.com/content/4bc868a1-bd4d-4d80-b8dd-064a4b87a4bb?syn-25a6b1a6=1)

• France
  • Liberal nurses sign an agreement with the National Health Insurance to update their fees (https://www.lemonde.fr/sante/article/2026/03/31/les-infirmieres-liberales-signent-un-accord-avec-l-assurance-maladie-pour-revaloriser-leurs-revenus_6675653_1651302.html)

• European Union
  • The EMA (European Medicines Agency) is addressing a new methodology to reduce the use of animals in preclinical research. The system seeks to reduce the number of rats in dose-ranging studies by using virtual control groups (https://diariofarma.com/2026/04/01/la-ema-abre-consulta-para-reducir-el-uso-de-animales-en-el-desarrollo-de-medicamentos)
  • “The postal code predicts cancer prognosis” (https://www.elconfidencial.com/salud/2026-04-03/el-codigo-postal-del-cancer-por-que-tu-direccion-predice-tu-pronostico_4330748/). The OECD, together with the European Commission, has just published a nearly 300-page report—Delivering High Value Cancer Care—that exposes the inequalities in cancer care in Europe: https://www.oecd.org/en/publications/delivering-high-value-cancer-care_060869fe-en.html

National Health Policy

• Central Administration
  • The government gives the green light to the Observatory of the Suicide Prevention Plan (https://www.elmundo.es/ciencia-y-salud/salud/2026/03/31/69cb842e21efa09e4c8b45ad.html)
  • The specialty of Emergency Medicine, finally published in the Official State Gazette. The publication in the Official State Gazette (BOE) of the training program for the specialty of Emergency Medicine marks its definitive inclusion in the specialized healthcare training (FSE) positions (https://www.diariomedico.com/medicina/medicina-urgencias/boe-consolida-especialidad-medicina-urgencias.html)

• Regional Administrations
  • Madrid takes the first step towards creating a registry of conscientious objectors to abortion, after months of resistance (https://elpais.com/expres/2026-04-03/madrid-da-el-primer-paso-para-crear-el-registro-de-objetores-al-aborto.html)
  • According to diario.es, the report that proves Ayuso gave money to private healthcare (https://www.eldiario.es/madrid/informe-muestra-ayuso-regalo-millones-sanidad-privada-71-653-032-no-encontrar-documentacion_1_13111704.html)
  • Xenoma Galicia: the challenge of genotyping one in seven citizens to develop a Galician DNA map. Galicia accelerates the world’s largest genomic study per capita: how a €20 million plan seeks to create the most accurate genetic map on the planet and transform cancer prevention (https://gacetamedica.com/investigacion/xenoma-galicia-reto-genotipar-ciudadanos-mapa-adn-gallego/)
  • The nine points that govern the accreditation of Catalan healthcare centers. They will apply to all publicly funded centers in Catalonia (SISCAT) and are: 1. Leadership; 2. Strategy; 3. People Management; 4. Partnerships and resources; 5. Processes; 6. Results for citizens; 7. Results for staff; 8. Results for society; 9. Key results. (https://www.redaccionmedica.com/autonomias/cataluna/los-nueve-puntos-que-rigen-la-acreditacion-de-centros-sesultaanitarios-catalanes-7221). Decree published in the Official Gazette of the Government of Catalonia: https://dogc.gencat.cat/ca/document-del-dogc/?documentId=1040956
  • Navarre’s healthcare system launches a pilot program of incentives for healthcare professionals to reduce waiting lists. The system will link the extraordinary remuneration of professionals to healthcare activity targets and a reduction in waiting times for appointments (https://www.consalud.es/autonomias/navarra/servicio-navarro-de-salud-osasunbidea-lanza-un-piloto-de-incentivos-para-reducir-listas-de-espera.html)
  • AIREF recommends that Navarre develop a healthcare infrastructure plan and a new remuneration model. The entity has prepared, at the request of Navarre, two reports on healthcare infrastructure and human resources policy (https://www.consalud.es/autonomias/navarra/la-airef-recomienda-a-navarra-elaborar-un-plan-de-infraestructuras-sanitarias-y-revisar-el-modelo-retributivo.html)
  • Galicia and Cantabria take the lead with two pioneering digital health laws in 2026 (https://www.consalud.es/autonomias/cantabria-y-galicia-toman-la-delantera-con-dos-leyes-pioneras-en-salud-digital-para-este-2026.html)

• Framework Statute
  • Timeline of the conflict over the Framework Statute: the key dates after Easter. From April 27 to 30: the third wave of national strikes (https://gacetamedica.com/profesion/estatuto-marco-calendario-conflicto-fechas-reuniones-huelga-semana-santa/)

• Colon cancer screening
  • Spain fails in colon cancer screening. Participation barely reaches 43%, far from the 65% recommended in Europe (https://www.larazon.es/salud/espana-suspende-cribado-cancer-colon_2026033069ca947283aca52e0e3e9cef.html)

Companies

• International
  • Are India and China prepared for the “chaotic” growth of generic obesity drugs? (https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(26)00649-5/fulltext)
  • Poland and Romania ordered to pay over €2 billion for unpaid vaccines to Pfizer (https://www.lemonde.fr/international/article/2026/04/01/la-pologne-et-la-roumanie-condamnees-a-verser-pres-de-2-milliards-d-euros-de-vaccins-anti-covid-impayes-a-pfizer_6675915_3210.html)
  • Lilly acquires narcolepsy drug developer for $6.3 billion (https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/31/business/eli-lilly-narcolepsy-centessa.html)
  • Big Tech’s new conquest: Anthropic joins Google and Microsoft in the multi-billion dollar battle for AI in healthcare. The tech giant Anthropic announced the acquisition of the biotech startup Coefficient BIO for $400 million, in a further step towards the convergence of artificial intelligence and the healthcare sector. (https://www.eleconomista.es/salud-bienestar/noticias/13855409/04/26/la-nueva-conquista-de-las-big-tech-anthropic-se-suma-a-google-y-microsoft-en-la-multimillonaria-batalla-por-la-ia-en-la-salud.html)
  • Gilead, Lilly, Merck-MSD, and Novartis shake up pharmaceutical acquisitions (https://www.expansion.com/empresas/industria/2026/04/03/69cef714e5fdea83388b45a0.html)

• National News
  • Five Catalan hospitals join forces to purchase Chinese surgical robots. The joint purchase of the robots has allowed the five centers to save 21% (3.5 million) compared to the initial tender (https://www.diariomedico.com/medicina/politica/cinco-hospitales-catalanes-unen-comprar-robots-quirurgicos-chinos.html)
  • Prim raises its dividends by 18% and finalizes its new strategic plan (https://cincodias.elpais.com/companias/2026-03-27/prim-eleva-sus-dividendos-un-18-y-ultima-su-nuevo-plan-estrategico.html)
  • Pablo Gallart, CEO of Ribera: “Despite all the noise surrounding Torrejón, we had our best year ever in 2025” (https://www.elespanol.com/invertia/observatorios/sanidad/20260331/pablo-gallart-ceo-ribera-pesar-ruido-torrejon-mejor-ano/1003744187126_0.html)

This post is also available in: Spanish