Summary

The week’s most impactful health news stories were:

• Biomedicine: The Human Exposome Project will map how environmental factors influence our health.
• Global Health: Leaving the WHO does not serve the best global or American interests.
• International Health Policy: The days of Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.’s “wild” hegemony in health may be coming to an end.
• National Health Policy: The doctors’ strike corners Minister García and puts thousands of appointments at risk.
• Companies: BioNTech creates an mRNA vaccine to treat the most dangerous form of breast cancer.

Biomedicine

• The Human Exposome Project will map how environmental factors influence our health. Several studies suggest that the cause of diseases is 20% genetic and 80% related to environmental factors.
• Can shingles vaccines slow aging? The evidence is surprisingly strong. New data suggests it reduces the risk of dementia by 20%.
• Cats offer clues for better cancer treatments. Similarities between tumors in cats and humans provide certain insights into treating diseases.

Global Health

• Leaving the WHO does not contribute to the best global or American interests. The US seems to trust bilateral agreements more than global ones. Along these lines, it published the Global Health Strategy, which includes agreements with 15 countries, surprisingly without mentioning vaccines. Agreements with another 50 countries are planned. It also calls for a focus on certain infectious diseases—such as HIV/AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis, and polio—but not on maternal and child health, reproductive health, certain tropical diseases, non-communicable diseases, and other important health conditions.
• The problems in the Cuban health system are deepening. The Cuban Minister of Health, José Ángel Portal Miranda, has acknowledged the poor situation. He has blamed the crisis on the American embargo, in line with the official position.
• Health on the Front Lines: Four Years After the Start of the War in Ukraine. Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine has been a catastrophe on all levels, including health. In four years, there have been more than 47,000 Ukrainian civilian casualties, 5-6 million people have emigrated, and 3-8 million have been internally displaced, disrupting their healthcare. The deliberate attack on healthcare facilities has been a substantial part of the Russian strategy.

International Health Policy

• Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.’s days of “wild” hegemony in health may be ending. After letting him act freely until now, it seems the White House is beginning to worry about some of his initiatives.
• Primary Care Deserts: Data Shows a Shortage of Primary Care Physicians in the UK. Four-fifths of integrated councils in England need to at least double their number of primary care physicians to reach staffing standards considered adequate, according to the British Medical Journal.
• The British pharmacy sector sees Morrison’s sales as another warning sign for the NHS. The British giant is divesting itself of dozens of its community pharmacies to reduce costs; this situation highlights “the real economic danger facing pharmaceutical companies,” according to Community Pharmacy England.
• The fragility of the healthcare system in Venezuela. Healthcare spending was 1.7% of GDP in 2018, well below the Latin American average of 4%. All indicators are very negative, even by regional standards.

National Health Policy (Spain)

• The doctors’ strike corners Minister García and puts thousands of appointments at risk. The Platform of the Patients’ Organization (POP) estimates that cancellations could exceed 450,000. The Ministry maintains its intransigent position.
• Mónica García fails to convince Junts in her first parliamentary blitz on the Public Management Law. Although the Minister of Health assures that the new law “does not harm the Catalan model,” the separatists respond that “neither you nor any minister has the right to say anything about how Catalonia is organized.” This law aims to make any public-private partnership mechanism virtually impossible, in addition to interfering in management aspects transferred to the autonomous communities. Although the chances of the law being approved are minimal, this does not diminish the extremely serious nature of the text’s content.
• The Bioregion of Catalonia consolidates its leadership in the pharmaceutical industry. It concentrates 79 pharmaceutical production plants, 44% of the national total, and represents nearly 50% of the sector’s revenue, according to the Biocat 2025 Report, which analyzes the industrial, scientific, and regulatory weight of the Catalan ecosystem.

Companies

• International
  • BioNTech creates an mRNA vaccine to treat the most aggressive form of breast cancer. The first clinical trial demonstrates that the vaccine creates a long-lasting immune response tailored to each patient’s tumor.

• National
  • Ribera completes the acquisition of the Valencian group HCB Hospitales for €100 million. With a team of more than 650 professionals, it has two hospitals in Benidorm and Denia, three medical centers in Calpe, Moraira, and Albir, and two centers in Benidorm and Denia, as well as two diagnostic imaging centers in Alicante.

Biomedicine

• Can shingles vaccines slow aging? The evidence is surprisingly strong. New data suggests it reduces the risk of dementia by 20% (https://www.economist.com/science-and-technology/2026/02/13/can-the-shingles-vaccine-slow-ageing)
• The Human Exposome Project will map how environmental factors influence our health. Several studies suggest that the cause of diseases is 20% genetic and 80% related to environmental factors (https://www.economist.com/science-and-technology/2026/02/18/the-human-exposome-project-will-map-how-environmental-factors-shape-health)
• Scientists say air pollution is linked to the risk of Alzheimer’s. Particles from fossil fuel combustion may damage the brain more than previously thought (https://www.ft.com/content/35c5904e-c1bc-452c-9f38-29b6b1b77066). Access the original article: https://journals.plos.org/plosmedicine/article?id=10.1371/journal.pmed.1004912
• Cats hold clues to better cancer treatments. Similarities between tumors in cats and humans offer some clues for treating diseases (https://www.ft.com/content/807ac68a-d96a-4da0-bdfc-5970c3c5a836)
• Psychedelics found in Amazonian ayahuasca hold promise for treating depression. Single doses were able to eliminate the symptoms (https://www.ft.com/content/492f3a15-6c5d-4e26-8e1e-a24902d0bed3)
• Tetris-based therapy shows promise in post-traumatic stress (https://www.ft.com/content/e185a5ed-833e-416d-9a10-e0178754dde0)
• EDEN: The AI ​​system that learns from a million species to design new treatments. The model allows for the precise and complex modification of cells and molecules to cure diseases (https://elpais.com/ciencia/2026-02-18/eden-el-sistema-de-ia-que-aprende-de-un-millon-de-especies-para-disenar-nuevos-tratamientos.html)
• Revolution in the treatment of multiple sclerosis: AI discovers new subtypes of this disease. British researchers have combined imaging tests and blood markers to describe two distinct patterns.
• (https://www.elespanol.com/ciencia/salud/20260218/revolucion-tratamiento-esclerosis-multiple-ia-descubre-nuevos-subtipos-enfermedad/1003744132864_0.html)
• Photonic technology to diagnose Alzheimer’s in Spain through the eyes. These diagnoses can be made quickly by observing the lens and retina using two different techniques (https://www.elespanol.com/ciencia/salud/20260217/tecnologia-fotonica-diagnosticar-alzheimer-espana-traves-ojos-puede-detectar-anos/1003744132793_0.html)

Global Health

• Problems in the Cuban health system are deepening. Cuban Health Minister José Ángel Portal Miranda has acknowledged the dire situation. He has blamed the crisis on the American embargo, in line with the official position (https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(26)00356-9/fulltext)
• Health on the front lines: four years after the start of the war in Ukraine. Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine has been a catastrophe on all levels, including health. In four years, there have been more than 47,000 Ukrainian civilian casualties, 5-6 million people have emigrated, and 3-8 million have been internally displaced, disrupting their access to healthcare. The deliberate attack on healthcare facilities has been a substantial part of the Russian strategy (https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(26)00355-7/fulltext).
• Leaving the WHO does not serve the best global or American interests. The US seems to rely more on bilateral agreements than on global ones. Along these lines, it published the Global Health Strategy, which includes agreements with 15 countries, surprisingly without mentioning vaccines. Agreements with another 50 countries are planned. It also calls for a focus on certain infectious diseases—such as HIV/AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis, and polio—but not on maternal and child health, reproductive health, certain tropical diseases, non-communicable diseases, and other major health conditions (https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.aeg1937). Access the Global Health Strategy, September 2025: https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/America-First-Global-Health-Strategy-Report.pdf

International Health Policy

• USA
  • Trump’s rejection of the fight against climate change is “a rejection of the laws of physics.” Scientists have condemned this initiative, labeling it a rejection of scientific logic (https://www.bmj.com/content/392/bmj.s324)
  • The FDA’s change of course on Moderna’s flu vaccine after pressure from the White House. This follows an interview between the FDA Commissioner and President Trump, who expressed his displeasure with the measure, according to Politico (https://www.politico.com/news/2026/02/18/fda-reverses-course-on-moderna-flu-shot-bid-00785799)
  • The days of Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.’s “wild” hegemony in health may be coming to an end. After letting him act freely until now, it seems the White House is starting to worry about some of his initiatives (https://www.politico.com/news/2026/02/21/rfk-midterms-maha-pesticides-vaccines-food-00792018)
  • Should over-the-counter medications be advertised to the public? Controversy begins over direct drug advertising, amid an offensive by certain brands regarding aging (https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/16/health/drug-advertisements-consumers.html)
  • Measles makes a strong comeback in the United States, raising alarms. A total of 24 states are now affected by this disease, including Florida, Arizona, Washington, and South Carolina (https://www.vozpopuli.com/sanitatem/el-sarampion-vuelve-con-fuerza-a-estados-unidos.html)

• China
  • Pharmaceutical consumption has grown more in China than in the USA in the last five years. A new report from IQVIA indicates that by the end of the decade, drug consumption will approach four trillion defined daily doses (DDDs). Growth is pronounced in China and modest in the United States. (https://diariofarma.com/2026/02/18/el-consumo-farmaceutico-crecio-mas-en-china-que-en-eeuu-en-los-ultimos-5-anos)

• United Kingdom
  • Deserts in Primary Care: Data shows a shortage of primary care physicians in the United Kingdom. Four-fifths of integrated councils in England need to at least double their number of primary care physicians to reach staffing standards considered adequate, according to the British Medical Journal (https://www.bmj.com/content/392/bmj.s301)
  • English pharmacies see Morrison’s sales as another warning sign for the NHS. The British giant is divesting itself of dozens of its community pharmacies to reduce costs; this situation highlights “the real economic danger facing pharmaceutical companies,” according to Community Pharmacy England (https://diariofarma.com/2026/02/16/la-farmacia-inglesa-ve-en-la-venta-de-farmacias-morrison-otra-senal-de-alerta-grave-para-el-nhs)

• France
  • The end-of-life debate returns to the National Assembly. The two texts on palliative care and assisted dying are being debated in the Assembly (https://www.lemonde.fr/politique/article/2026/02/16/fin-de-vie-le-debat-revient-a-l-assemblee-nationale-en-deuxieme-lecture_6666940_823448.html)
  • AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis: France reduces its contribution to the Global Fund by almost 60%. This decrease in aid is disappointing for the association, as these three diseases cause 2.5 million deaths worldwide each year (https://www.lemonde.fr/planete/article/2026/02/20/sida-paludisme-tuberculose-la-france-abaisse-de-pres-de-60-sa-contribution-au-fonds-mondial_6667596_3244.html)
  • The national health data platform is a strategic asset for France. This country possesses one of the world’s richest health data assets, but struggles to mobilize it for research, public health, and innovation, prior to the creation of the Health Data Hub in 2019 (https://www.lemonde.fr/idees/article/2026/02/16/la-plateforme-nationale-des-donnees-de-sante-est-un-actif-strategique-pour-la-france_6666976_3232.html)

• Venezuela
  • The fragility of the health system in Venezuela. Health spending was 1.7% of GDP in 2018, well below the Latin American average of 4%. All indicators are very negative, even by regional standards (https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(26)00203-5/fulltext)

• India
  • India’s pollution is an economic roadblock. Government inaction is a problem for its own development goals (https://www.economist.com/asia/2026/02/15/indias-pollution-is-becoming-an-economic-roadblock)

• European Union
  • Regulatory fragmentation is hindering R&D investment in the pharmaceutical sector in Europe. An EFPIA document indicates that Europe’s structural strength is the single market, but that its potential is not being fully exploited (https://elglobalfarma.com/industria/fragmentacion-regulatoria-inversion-id-sector-farmaceutico-europa/)

National Health Policy

• Central Government Initiatives
  • The government postpones the selection of the headquarters for the State Public Health Agency until August. The government indicates this is due to the number of applications submitted and the construction work that would be required. This is not credible; rather, the reason is the delicate political situation with many elections, and that it is better to proceed in August (https://www.elespanol.com/invertia/observatorios/sanidad/20260217/gobierno-retrasa-agosto-eleccion-sede-agencia-salud-publica-obras-requieren-aspirantes/1003744133939_0.html)
  • The Public Health Agency will operate immediately, even without a headquarters. While the agency could operate from within the Ministry of Health (https://www.redaccionmedica.com/secciones/sanidad-hoy/la-agencia-de-salud-publica-operara-de-forma-inmediata-incluso-sin-sede-7235)

• Regional Administrations
  • Basque Health Cluster and GSK seal a strategic alliance to boost healthcare innovation in Spain. The biopharmaceutical company joins as a Business Partner of the Basque cluster with the aim of strengthening open collaboration and accelerating the transformation of the healthcare ecosystem (https://www.consalud.es/salud35/nacional/basque-health-cluster-y-gsk-sellan-una-alianza-estrategica-para-impulsar-la-innovacion-sanitaria-en-euskadi.html)
  • Galicia secures its leadership in oncology: 23 million invested in CAR-T and the milestone of proton therapy. The Minister of Health, Antonio Gómez Caamaño, announces that the region will be the first to implement public proton therapy and will create a pioneering population-based genomic map (https://www.consalud.es/autonomias/galicia/galicia-blinda-liderazgo-oncologico-car-t-protonterapia-farmacos-propios.html)
  • The Bioregion of Catalonia consolidates its leadership in the pharmaceutical industry. It concentrates 79 pharmaceutical production plants, 44% of the national total, and represents nearly 50% of the sector’s revenue, according to the Biocat 2025 Report, which analyzes the industrial, scientific, and regulatory weight of the Catalan ecosystem (https://diariofarma.com/2026/02/19/la-bioregion-de-cataluna-consolida-su-liderazgo-en-la-industria-farmaceutica-en-espana)
  • Collaborative dispensing avoids 78,000 trips annually in Andalusia. The model for delivering hospital medication through community pharmacies increases the efficiency of the system and improves health outcomes (https://diariofarma.com/2026/02/18/la-dispensacion-colaborativa-evita-78-000-desplazamientos-anuales-en-andalucia)
  • The Galician government (Xunta) declares 29 special pharmaceutical zones to facilitate the viability of rural pharmacies. A total of 18 of the pharmacies are located in the province of Ourense and 11 in Lugo (https://diariofarma.com/2026/02/18/la-xunta-declara-las-29-zonas-farmaceuticas-especiales-para-facilitar-la-viabilidad-de-boticas-rurales)

• Problems with the Framework Statute
  • The doctors’ strike corners Minister García and puts thousands of appointments at risk. The Platform of the Patient Organization (POP) estimates that cancellations could exceed 450,000 (https://www.elmundo.es/ciencia-y-salud/salud/2026/02/17/69934820fc6c8381138b45b2.html)
  • Doctors are making progress with the PP, Vox, and ERC to block the Framework Statute while their strike paralyzes healthcare. The group has secured a meeting with these three parliamentary groups with the aim of halting the legislation in Parliament (https://www.elespanol.com/invertia/observatorios/sanidad/20260219/medicos-avanzan-pp-vox-erc-frenar-estatuto-marco-huelga-paraliza-sanidad/1003744135944_0.html)

• Measles
  • The WHO has issued a warning to Spain regarding its handling of the measles outbreak. Our country, along with five other European nations, has lost its status as a measles-free country. The recent outbreak in Alicante and the circulation of cases detected in Madrid this week do not suggest that the situation will reverse in the short term (https://www.elmundo.es/ciencia-y-salud/salud/2026/02/22/69975206e9cf4a6a0a8b456e.html)

• Public Management Law
  • Mónica García fails to convince Junts in her first parliamentary debate on the Public Management Law. Although the Minister of Health assures that the new law “does not harm the Catalan model,” the separatists respond that “neither you nor any minister has any say in how Catalonia is organized” (https://diariofarma.com/2026/02/18/monica-garcia-no-convence-a-junts-en-el-primer-lance-parlamentario-sobre-la-ley-de-gestion-publica)

• Prestige of doctors
  • Spaniards trust doctors more than any other group. The BBVA Foundation’s ‘Scientific Culture Study’ ranks doctors as the most trusted profession (8.4) in the midst of a week of strikes and a standoff with Mónica García (https://www.elconfidencial.com/salud/2026-02-18/los-medicos-lideran-la-confianza-de-la-ciudadania_4304187/)

Companies

• International
  • BioNTech creates an RNA vaccine to treat the most aggressive form of breast cancer. The first clinical trial demonstrates that the vaccine creates a long-lasting immune response tailored to each patient’s tumor (https://www.lavanguardia.com/ciencia/20260218/11468768/biontech-crea-vacuna-arn-tratar-cancer-mama-peor-pronostico.html)
  • Smartwatches still don’t accurately measure blood pressure. Current evidence suggests caution. A recent article analyzed whether these devices can truly replace clinically validated blood pressure monitors. The conclusion is clear: not yet (https://www.abc.es/salud/enfermedades/relojes-inteligentes-miden-bien-tension-arterial-20260218163713-nt.html)
  • Vaccines could enter a downward financial spiral. The reluctance of citizens and the US government is ultimately affecting corporate investment (https://cincodias.elpais.com/opinion/2026-02-20/las-vacunas-pueden-entrar-en-una-espiral-financiera-descendente.html)

• National
  • Cofares breaks its sales record again with a 7.4% increase, reaching €4.58 billion. The pharmaceutical cooperative once again leads the wholesale market, with a 30% share (https://www.elespanol.com/invertia/observatorios/sanidad/20260218/cofares-vuelve-batir-record-facturacion-ventas-toca-millones-euros/1003744135496_0.html)
  • Lilly chooses Spain to manufacture its obesity pills. Alcobendas will host the final phase of orforglipron production. Thanks to an investment of over €300 million initiated in 2023 (https://es.linkedin.com/posts/el-mundo_lilly-apuesta-por-espa%C3%B1a-para-fabricar-las-activity-7429101551958437888-s7vU)
  • Ribera closes the purchase of the Valencian group HCB Hospitales for €100 million. With a team of over 650 professionals, it has two hospitals in Benidorm and Denia, three medical centers in Calpe, Moraira and Albir, and two centers in Benidorm and Denia, and two diagnostic imaging centers in Alicante. (https://www.elespanol.com/invertia/observatorios/sanidad/20260218/ribera-cierra-compra-grupo-valenciano-hcb-hospitales-millones/1003744135296_0.html)
  • ISDIN’s revenue is €648 million and its profit is 14% lower (https://www.expansion.com/catalunya/2026/02/18/69961283468aeb85408b45a2.html)

 

 

 

Summary

The most impactful health news of the week included:

• Biomedicine: More than a third of cancers originate from preventable risk factors.
• Global Health: Biblical diseases may resurface in Africa.
• International Health Policy: TrumpRx, the online drug store, launches.
• National Health Policy: Following the AIREF report, the Social Security system convenes social partners to discuss the lack of control over sick leave.
• Companies: Asisa will increase its doctors’ compensation by 7.3% by 2026.

Biomedicine

• More than a third of cancers originate from preventable risk factors. Tobacco, infections, and alcohol are the main causes. The study published in Nature Medicine states that of the 20 million cancers diagnosed in 2022, 38% were caused by preventable factors. It is the most comprehensive study conducted to date on preventable causes of cancer and confirms tobacco as the greatest risk factor.
• Electronic cigarettes: a comprehensive study outlining the risks. After reviewing 3,000 articles, the French Agency for Health Safety (ANSES) states that vaping poses short- and long-term health risks, while acknowledging its value in smoking cessation.

Global Health

• Biblical diseases may resurface in Africa. Parasites and infections that cause blindness and other disabilities had been nearly eradicated in some countries, but the distribution of medications to treat and prevent them has been halted in many places by 2025, following the cessation of US aid (USAID).
• Venezuela: health after the political earthquake. More than 20 million Venezuelans live in abject poverty, without access to medicines. The current crisis is chronic and a result of the corruption and mismanagement of the Chávez and Maduro governments.

International Health Policy

• TrumpRx, the online drug store, launches. According to the New York Times, researchers say the public may end up paying too much if they use this store. The website will not sell medications, but will only indicate where they can be purchased and at what price. It is backed by agreements with some pharmaceutical companies. The website will offer information on 43 medications, from insulin to obesity therapies. It is unlikely that Americans will save money with this method; many medications are covered by insurance, and cheaper generic versions of many others are available. Around 85% of Americans have prescription drug insurance coverage.
• The FDA launches PreCheck incentives to revitalize domestic pharmaceutical manufacturing. “After 35 years of globalists moving pharmaceutical manufacturing overseas, the FDA is taking bold steps to bring it back,” says FDA Commissioner Marty Makary.
• The NHS agreement with the United States will cost the United Kingdom £1 billion over the next three years. The Minister of Science says the NHS will obtain this money outside its regular budget.

National Health Policy (Spain)

• Following the AIREF report, the Social Security system is calling a meeting with social partners regarding the lack of control over sick leave. The Secretary of State will meet on Monday with unions and employers’ associations after the Fiscal Authority’s report blames the Social Security system for failing to control sick leave.
• This is how other statutes governing the medical profession in Europe work. In neighboring countries with different terminology, doctors have exclusive regulations and negotiating bodies. According to FEMS (European Federation of Salaried Doctors), only Croatia and Romania have the same structure as Spain.

Companies

• International
  • Lilly’s Mounjaro takes over from Novo Nordisk as the top-selling obesity medication.

• National News
  • Asisa will increase its doctors’ compensation by 7.3% by 2026. The insurer will apply the increase retroactively from January 1st, with increases that can exceed 16% depending on the specialty and level of service.
  • Spain will spend as much on health insurance as on car insurance in 2027. In 2025, health insurance premiums increased by 11.43%, to €13.443 billion, the highest growth among the main non-life insurance lines.

Biomedicine

• More than a third of cancers originate from preventable risks. Tobacco, infections, and alcohol are the main causes. The study published in Nature Medicine says that of the 20 million cancers diagnosed in 2022, 38% originated from preventable causes. It is the largest study to date on preventable causes of cancer and confirms tobacco as the greatest risk factor (https://www.economist.com/science-and-technology/2026/02/04/more-than-a-third-of-cancers-arise-from-preventable-risks). Access the original article: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-026-04219-7
• Cancers, immunotherapy, the revolutionary treatment that presents risks. Emerging in the early 2010s, this treatment produces toxicities in 10-50% of patients (https://www.lemonde.fr/sciences/article/2026/02/03/cancers-les-immunotherapies-des-traitements-revolutionnaires-qui-presentent-des-risques_6665255_1650684.html)
• Electronic cigarettes: a comprehensive study outlining the risks. After reviewing 3,000 articles, the French Agency for Health Safety says that vaping poses short- and long-term health risks, while acknowledging its value in smoking cessation (https://www.lemonde.fr/planete/article/2026/02/04/cigarette-electronique-l-anses-rend-un-avis-prudent-sur-les-risques-sanitaires-du-vapotage_6665288_3244.html)
• A brain implant allows a person blinded by optic nerve damage to regain their sight. Scientists at the Miguel Hernández University of Elche stimulated the visual cortex of a blind man until he was able to perceive light, movement, and even large letters (https://elpais.com/ciencia/2026-02-03/un-implante-en-el-cerebro-permite-recuperar-la-vision-a-un-hombre-ciego-por-una-lesion-en-el-nervio-optico.html)
• CRISPR allows targeting tumors with amplified oncogenes and points to precision therapies. Preclinical results from a study by the CNIO and CIEMAT show that gene editing points to new precision therapies against resistant cancers (https://diariofarma.com/2026/02/05/crispr-permite-atacar-tumores-con-oncogenes-amplificados-y-apunta-a-terapias-de-precision)

Global Health

• Venezuela: health after the political earthquake. More than 20 million Venezuelans live in abject poverty, without access to medicine. The current crisis is chronic and a result of the corruption and mismanagement of the Chávez and Maduro governments (https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(26)00249-7/fulltext)
• Biblical diseases may resurface in Africa. Parasites and infections that cause blindness and other disabilities had been nearly eliminated in some countries, but the distribution of medicines to treat and prevent them has been halted in many places by 2025, following the end of US aid (USAID) (https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/03/health/neglected-tropical-diseases-usaid-ntds-river-blindness.html)

International Health Policy

• USA
  • TrumpRx, the online drug store, launches. According to the New York Times, researchers say the public may end up paying too much if they use this store. The website will not sell medications, but will only indicate where they can be purchased and at what price. It is backed by agreements with some pharmaceutical companies. The website will offer information on 43 medications, from insulin to obesity therapies. It is unlikely that Americans will save money with this method; many medications are covered by insurance, and cheaper generic versions of many others are available. Around 85% of Americans have drug insurance coverage (https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/05/health/trumprx-online-drugstore-prices.html)
  • The FDA launches PreCheck incentives to boost domestic pharmaceutical manufacturing. “After 35 years of globalists moving pharmaceutical manufacturing abroad, the FDA is taking bold steps to bring it back,” says FDA Commissioner Marty Makary (https://diariofarma.com/2026/02/01/la-fda-lanza-los-incentivos-precheck-para-relanzar-la-fabricacion-farmaceutica-nacional-de-ee-uu)
  • Millions of Americans lose their health insurance as COVID-19 subsidies disappear. With insurance prices rising, around 4.8 million Americans could lose their coverage (https://www.thelancet.com/action/showPdf?pii=S0140-6736%2826%2900251-5)
  • In the USA, science skeptics are now in power. According to The Economist, the American government seems to want less clean energy and more preventable diseases (https://www.economist.com/science-and-technology/2026/02/04/in-america-science-sceptics-are-now-in-charge)
  • The right to die is spreading in the USA. States where a third of the population lives may soon allow assisted dying (https://www.economist.com/united-states/2026/02/02/the-right-to-die-is-spreading-in-america)

• China
  • More and more foreigners are choosing to go to China for healthcare. The influx of tourists is creating problems for locals (https://www.economist.com/china/2026/02/05/why-more-foreigners-are-seeking-health-care-in-china)

• United Kingdom
  • The NHS deal with the United States will cost the UK £1 billion over the next three years. The science minister says the NHS will raise this money outside its regular budget (https://www.ft.com/content/624bf05e-5a37-4b17-96ec-3f64c0a624fa)
  • A growing number of adults in the UK are turning away from alcohol, which is driving the trend. 24% of British adults say they don’t drink (https://www.bmj.com/content/392/bmj.s207)
  • Residents vote for six more months of labor demands with strikes (https://www.bmj.com/content/392/bmj.s218)

• France
  • The right to assisted dying is again approved by MPs in committee. After being rejected in the Senate, it returns to the Congress for a second reading (https://www.lemonde.fr/societe/article/2026/02/05/le-droit-a-l-aide-a-mourir-est-a-nouveau-approuve-par-les-deputes-en-commission_6665440_3224.html)
  • Participatory health centers, deployed in 2021 in disadvantaged neighborhoods, at risk due to budget cuts (https://www.lemonde.fr/societe/article/2026/02/05/acces-aux-soins-inquietude-autour-des-26-centres-de-sante-participatifs-un-dispositif-medical-dans-des-quartiers-defavorises_6665528_3224.html)

• Brazil
  • Brazil mistakenly discovers that 13,000 medical students about to graduate lack the basic knowledge required to practice. A third of university courses failed the first national assessment of medical education. The faculties with the worst scores are municipal or private (https://elpais.com/america/2026-02-02/brasil-descubre-con-alarma-que-13000-alumnos-a-punto-de-acabar-medicina-no-saben-lo-minimo-para-ejercer.html)
  • It appears that the possibility of implementing the Spanish MIR (Medical Residency) model is being analyzed. The debate over a mandatory exam to practice medicine in Brazil has reopened comparisons with the Spanish system of Specialized Health Training, where access to and professional accreditation as a specialist have been regulated by national exams for decades (https://www.consalud.es/formacion/brasil-hacia-el-modelo-mir-espanol-para-garantizar-la-calidad-medica.html)

• WHO
  • The WHO code on international recruitment of doctors does not strengthen poor health systems. A study published in ‘JAMA Health Forum’ concludes that the regulation temporarily reduced emigration from countries with a shortage of doctors, but did not improve staffing levels (https://www.diariomedico.com/medicina/politica/codigo-oms-contratacion-internacional-medicos-refuerza-sistemas-sanitarios-pobres.html). Access the original JAMA article: https://doi.org/10.1001/jamahealthforum.2025.6718
  • The WHO’s list of priority pathogens: key to curbing antimicrobial resistance. A publication in Science Direct analyzes the list (https://www.consalud.es/pacientes/la-lista-de-patogenos-prioritarios-de-la-oms-clave-para-frenar-la-resistencia-a-los-antimicrobianos.html).

National Health Policy

• Central Government Initiatives
  • The proposed patients’ rights law is progressing, with association support. The Spanish Patients’ Forum and the POP acknowledge the Ministry’s effort to provide a differentiated and cross-cutting perspective for these organizations (https://diariofarma.com/2026/02/04/la-propuesta-de-sanidad-para-la-ley-de-pacientes-avanza-con-el-apoyo-de-las-asociaciones)

• Initiatives of the Autonomous Communities
  • The Government of Cantabria and FENIN advance a plan to turn the region into a healthcare innovation hub (https://www.consalud.es/autonomias/cantabria/el-gobierno-de-cantabria-y-fenin-avanzan-un-plan-para-convertir-la-region-en-hub-de-innovacion-sanitaria.html)
  • Strengthening staff or improving productivity: electoral proposals regarding waiting lists in Aragon. It seems the PP is focusing on attracting and retaining professionals, increasing the availability of operating rooms, and coordinating specialized services, while the PSOE is prioritizing increased funding and more staff (https://www.consalud.es/autonomias/aragon/reforzar-plantillas-o-incentivos-de-productividad-propuestas-electorales-ante-las-listas-de-espera-en-aragon.html)
  • Mental health and reducing waiting lists are among the objectives of the SERGAS management agreements (https://www.diariomedico.com/medicina/politica/consulta/salud-mental-reducir-listas-espera-objetivos-acuerdos-gestion-sergas.html)

• Sick leave
  • Following the AIREF report, the Social Security system is convening with social partners to address the lack of control over sick leave. The Secretary of State will meet on Monday with unions and employers following the report from the Independent Authority for Fiscal Responsibility (AIReF) that blames the Social Security system for failing to control sick leave. (https://www.elconfidencial.com/economia/2026-02-06/seguridad-social-convoca-agentes-sociales-descontrol-bajas-medicas_4298747/) Access the AIReF spending review report: https://www.airef.es/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/SpendingReview-2022-2026-fase-2/SR2226F2_IT.pdf

• MIR Exam
  • The 2026 exam breaks records for annulled questions (https://theobjective.com/sanidad/2026-02-07/examen-mir-record-preguntas-anuladas/)

• Framework Statute
  • This is how the other statutes of the The medical profession in Europe. In neighboring countries with different terminology, doctors have their own exclusive rules and negotiation forums. According to the FEMS (European Federation of Medical Students), only Croatia and Romania are in the same situation as Spain. (https://www.diariomedico.com/medicina/profesion/asi-son-estatutos-profesion-medica-europa.html)
  • Murcia points to the government as responsible for the conflict over the Framework Statute (https://www.consalud.es/autonomias/murcia/murcia-senala-al-gobierno-como-responsable-del-conflicto-por-el-estatuto-marco.html)
  • Vox wants the parties in Congress to take a position on the Statute for doctors (https://www.elespanol.com/invertia/observatorios/sanidad/20260204/vox-quiere-partidos-congreso-posicionen-den-opinion-estatuto-marco-propio-medicos/1003744116090_0.html)

• Cancer
  • The Spanish Association Against Cancer says that everything related to cancer is being deprioritized. According to the president of this association, Europe is deprioritizing cancer (https://www.elmundo.es/ciencia-y-salud/salud/2026/02/04/698210d6e4d4d8413b8b4584.html)

• Cancer survival
  • Spain, Switzerland, and Estonia, European countries with the best cancer survival rates. A large-scale European study, coordinated by the IDIAPJGol, analyzes the progression, associated diseases, and survival of people with cancer (https://www.diariomedico.com/medicina/oncologia/espana-suiza-estonia-paises-europeos-mejores-tasas-supervivencia-cancer.html)

Companies

• International
  • Lilly’s Mounjaro takes over from Novo Nordisk as the top-selling obesity drug (https://www.elespanol.com/invertia/observatorios/sanidad/20260205/mounjaro-lilly-coge-relevo-novo-nordisk-mayor-superventas-obesidad/1003744117073_0.html)
  • Pfizer will lose €1.3 billion in 2026 due to the expiration of several patents and competition from generics and biosimilars (https://www.elespanol.com/invertia/observatorios/sanidad/20260204/pfizer-perdera-millones-caducidad-varias-patentes-competencia-genericos-biosimilares/1003744115331_0.html)

• National
  • Asisa Asisa will raise its doctors’ salaries by 7.3% by 2026. The insurer will apply the increase retroactively from January 1st, with increases that can exceed 16% depending on the specialty and level of service (https://www.consalud.es/salud35/nacional/asisa-eleva-un-73-la-retribucion-de-sus-medicos-para-2026.html)
  • Ribera Povisa consolidates its leading position in Galicia after handling more than 400,000 consultations in 2025 (https://www.consalud.es/industria/sanidad-privada/ribera-povisa-consolida-su-referencia-en-galicia-tras-atender-mas-de-400000-consultas-en-2025.html)
  • Spain will spend as much on health insurance as on car insurance in 2027. In 2025, health insurance premiums increased 11.43%, to 13,443 million euros, the largest growth among the main non-life branches (https://kiosco.eleconomista.es/e-paper/viewer.aspx?publication=Sanidad&date=05_02_2026&tpuid=690#page/6)

 

Summary

The most impactful healthcare news of the week included:

• Biomedicine: AI trends in healthcare in 2026 analyzed.
• Global health: Venezuelan doctors speak out and denounce the situation in the healthcare sector.
• International health policy: The UK’s good idea for customized genetic medicines, proposing a new reimbursement system.
• National health policy: Doctors increase pressure on the Health Ministry and call for a week-long strike each month until June.
• Business: “Big Tobacco” companies are evolving into “Big Nicotine”.

Biomedicine

• AI trends in healthcare in 2026. The trends that seem clear and very positive, according to Bertalan Mesko, are: 1. Language models; 2. Home blood collection; 3. An improvement in longevity, integrating this approach into our daily lives; 4. Healthcare navigation systems; 5. The beginning of heart rate variability analysis; 6. The year of the consolidation of “scribes” in consultations; 7. Generative artificial intelligence for pharmaceutical companies.
• The treatment of a teenager with an ultra-rare disease as a medical milestone. The possibilities of CRISPR technology in these types of diseases.
• Scientists create a scalpel that provides instant data during surgeries. Researchers at the Institute of Chemical Technology in Prague (UCT Prague) have developed and validated the “laboratory in a scalpel” concept.

Global Health

• Venezuelan doctors speak out. Doctors denounce the ongoing repression and the multiple failures of the health system, as medicines are scarce and very expensive, waiting lists grow endlessly, and the exodus of doctors is constant.
• “Made in Africa” ​​laboratories to detect epidemics in record time. The Pasteur Institute in Dakar is leading a project to monitor the emergence of diseases such as Ebola, dengue fever, and yellow fever in more than a dozen countries. They are seeking a faster response time and to reduce dependence on foreign aid.

International Health Policy

• The UK’s good idea for customized genetic medicines. The UK is testing a new funding system for these medicines, not based, as is customary, on sales volume. Only with a different reimbursement system will it be possible to develop medicines for ultra-rare diseases.
• Trump’s second term and the weaponization of healthcare. This article lists all of Trump’s attacks on the healthcare system.
• Much more land would be needed to comply with the red meat-rich diet proposed by RFK, Jr. The 25% increase in meat and dairy products would require 100 million more acres of land for agriculture.

National Health Policy (Spain)

• Doctors increase pressure on the Health Ministry and call for a week-long strike each month until June. The first strike will begin on February 16th, and the unions are calling for a “united demonstration” two days prior in Madrid. The Secretary General of CESM, in response to the proposed indefinite strike, reiterates the demand for a medical statute similar to those in Portugal, the United Kingdom, and Germany.

Companies

• International
  • “Big Tobacco” companies are evolving into “Big Nicotine.” Companies such as British American Tobacco and Philip Morris are reorienting their businesses toward nicotine-based alternatives.
  • Trump’s attacks on the pharmaceutical industry are driving increased interest from funds in this sector in Europe. The value of private equity transactions in Europe has increased by 70%, while in the United States it has grown by only 20%.

• National
  • The health insurance sector once again stands out above the rest of the insurance industry and is projected to grow by 11.43% in 2025. Health insurance premiums totaled €13.443 billion, and among its varieties—healthcare assistance, reimbursement, and subsidy—the first stands out, having grown by 12.08%.

Biomedicine

• A new study highlights the brain’s role in the immune system. This is demonstrated in a study with volunteers conducted in Israel and published in Nature Medicine (https://www.economist.com/science-and-technology/2026/01/21/a-new-study-highlights-the-brains-role-in-immune-health)
• Blood biomarkers for Alzheimer’s. These tests are cost-effective, minimally invasive, and highly accessible (https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.226049)
• AI trends in healthcare in 2026. The trends that appear clear and very positive, according to Bertalan Mesko, are: 1. Language models; 2. Home blood collection; 3. An improvement in longevity by integrating the approach into our daily lives; 4. Healthcare navigation systems; 5. The beginning of heart rate variability analysis; 6. The year of the consolidation of “scribes” in consultations; 7. Generative artificial intelligence for pharmaceutical companies (https://medicalfuturist.com/top-digital-health-and-healthcare-ai-trends-to-watch-in-2026)
• Treating a teenager with an ultra-rare disease as a medical milestone. The possibilities of CRISPR technology in these types of diseases (https://www.economcom/science-and-technology/2026/01/19/treatment-of-a-teenager-with-an-ultra-rare-condition-is-a-medical-milestone)
• Some immune systems defeat cancer: a possible drug? Researchers found an antibody that appears to play a role in people with a better prognosis for lung cancer. But translating that into a drug can be difficult (https://www.nytimecom/2026/01/22/health/lung-cancer-antibodies-immune-system.html)
• How air pollution impacts ALS risk. A study finds that pollution also accelerates the progression of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (https://www.abc.es/salud/enfermedades/relacion-contaminacion-aire-mayor-riesgo-ela-20260121145800-nt.html)
• The baby saved with CRISPR and four other scientific milestones in 2025 (https://elpais.com/expres/2025-12-09/el-bebe-salvado-con-crispr-y-otros-cuatro-hitos-de-la-ciencia-en-2025.html)
• Genetic variants identified that explain why 15% of pregnancies end in miscarriage. A study of 140,000 embryos shows with unprecedented detail how less than half of human conceptions survive to birth (https://www.abc.es/salud/enfermedades/explican-embarazos-terminan-abortos-espontaneos-20260121170023-nt.html)
• The bacteria that causes syphilis was already present in the Americas 5,500 years ago (https://elpais.com/ciencia/2026-01-22/la-bacteria-causante-de-la-sifilis-ya-estaba-en-america-hace-5500-anos.html). Access the original article: https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adw3020
• A large study rules out that drugs like omeprazole increase the risk of stomach cancer, as suggested by previous studies (https://www.ecom/directivos/estilo-vida/salud/2026/01/22/6970b2fde5fdead8798b4577.html). Access the original article: https://www.bmj.com/content/392/bmj-2025-086384
• Scientists create a scalpel that provides instant data during surgery. Researchers at the Institute of Chemical Technology in Prague (UCT Prague) have developed and validated the concept of a “scalpel-like laboratory” (https://www.consalud.es/saludigital/innovacion-tecnologica/disenan-un-bisturi-que-permite-obtener-informacion-sobre-la-cirugia-en-tiempo-real.html)

Global Health

• To properly assess progress in global health, high-quality evidence is needed (https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-026-00073-2). To this end, the journal Nature has published a new article titled Nature Health, specifically to measure the correlation between policy and practice.
• Sudan: Infectious diseases are on the rise in rural areas (https://www.bmj.com/content/392/bmj.s87)
• Venezuelan doctors are speaking out. Doctors report that repression continues and the healthcare system suffers from multiple failures, with medicines scarce and prohibitively expensive, waiting lists constantly growing, and a steady exodus of doctors (https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(26)00134-0/fulltext).
• Bill Gates and OpenAI contribute $50 million to expand AI use in African clinics. They hope to bring AI to more than 1,000 clinics in Rwanda and other African countries, with the aim of expanding access to quality healthcare in poor countries (https://www.ft.com/content/94e685da-f41d-4625-8585-768d7f901c35)
• Microplastics are no longer a public health emergency in Africa, according to the African Union Health Agency (https://www.lemonde.fr/afrique/article/2026/01/24/la-mpox-n-est-plus-une-urgence-de-sante-publique-en-afrique-annonce-l-agence-de-sante-de-l-union-africaine_6663944_3212.html)
• Is the threat of microplastics really that serious? The problem is real, but several studies claim that the figures are inflated. A study published in Nature concludes that estimates of their presence in the air could be exaggerated by between 100 and 10,000 times (https://elpais.com/clima-y-medio-ambiente/2026-01-21/es-tan-grave-la-amenaza-de-los-microplasticos-el-problema-es-real-pero-varias-investigaciones-denuncian-que-las-cifras-estan-infladas.html). Access the original article: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-025-09998-6
• “Made in Africa” laboratories to detect epidemics in record time. The Pasteur Institute in Dakar is leading a project to monitor the emergence of diseases such as Ebola, dengue fever, and yellow fever in more than a dozen countries. They are seeking a faster response time and to reduce dependence on foreign countries (https://elpais.com/planeta-futuro/2025-12-02/laboratorios-made-in-africa-para-detectar-epidemias-en-tiempo-record.html)

International Health Policy

• USA
  • Trump’s second term and the weaponization of healthcare. This article lists all of Trump’s attacks on the healthcare system (https://www.bmj.com/lookup/doi/10.1136/bmj.s91)
  • The US’s return to the WHO may depend on Trump’s ability to impose his new director, as the position is up for renewal next year. According to Politico, the US’s return will depend on whether Trump likes the new director (https://www.politico.com/news/2026/01/22/who-world-health-organization-trump-tedros-00740545)
  • Much more land would be needed to comply with the high-red-meat diet proposed by RFK, Jr. The 25% increase in meat and dairy products would require 100 million more acres of land for agriculture (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jan/20/rfk-jr-trump-meat-diet-guidelines-land)
  • Republicans will face intense pressure to support Trump’s healthcare plan. A lack of Democratic support would mean the plan would not pass the Senate under current rules (https://www.politico.com/news/2026/01/20/trump-health-plan-congress-00734445)
  • Kennedy’s anti-vaccine policy unites Democrats and Republicans against him. The Health Secretary appeared before the Senate after firing the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention over disagreements about vaccines (https://elpais.com/sociedad/2025-09-04/la-politica-antivacunas-de-kennedy-une-a-democratas-y-republicanos-en-su-contra.html)
  • Big insurers try to blame hospitals and the pharmaceutical industry for the increase in healthcare spending in the USA. In two appearances before Congress, the executives were accused of failing to control healthcare spending (https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/22/health/health-insurers-obamacare-congress.html)

• China
  • China’s birth rate plunges to its lowest level since 1949. China’s population has declined for four consecutive years (https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/18/business/china-population-data.html)

• India
  • Advances in healthcare, India’s ambitions. It aims to become a developed nation by 2047 (https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(25)02636-4/fulltext)

• United Kingdom
  • The UK’s good idea for customized genetic medicines. The UK is testing a new funding system for these medicines, not based, as is usual, on sales volume (https://www.economist.com/leaders/2026/01/22/britains-good-idea-for-custom-genetic-medicines)
  • NHS regions should be part of the NHS, not the Department (https://www.kingsfund.org.uk/insight-and-analysis/blogs/nhs-regions-department)
  • The Nuffield Trust’s response to the NHS’s online hospitals proposal. The article proposes that the seven regions become health authorities, rather than relying solely on the Ministry (https://www.nuffieldtrust.org.uk/news-item/nuffield-trust-response-to-plans-set-out-for-nhs-online-hospital)
  • Health insurers are growing at a record pace, among the problems facing the NHS, particularly due to insurance companies offering plans to their employees, given the difficulty of accessing the public system (https://www.ft.com/content/ef58761a-bf03-4eef-8a89-f31e193e51f7)

• France
  • The Senate rejects the key article of the bill on assisted dying. The door is closed to the possibility that an incurably ill patient can request a lethal product from their doctor (https://www.lemonde.fr/societe/article/2026/01/22/fin-de-vie-coup-de-theatre-au-senat-avec-le-rejet-de-l-article-cle-de-la-proposition-de-loi-sur-l-aide-a-mourir_6663638_3224.html)

National Health Policy

• Central Government Initiatives
  • From Funding Medicines to Funding Indications: A Silent Shift in the NHS. Analysis of public funding for medicines reveals a profound shift in the NHS: decisions are not being reduced, but their scope is. Total funding for authorized indications has been steadily declining in recent years. (https://diariofarma.com/2026/01/20/de-financiar-medicamentos-a-financiar-indicaciones-asi-es-el-giro-silencioso-del-sns)

• Regional Government Initiatives
  • The Ayuso government imposes fines on 7 public/private hospitals for failing to meet quality standards. EL PAÍS has obtained internal documents showing that €2.2 million was not paid to hospitals between 2021 and 2024 due to maintenance or laundry failures (https://elpais.com/espana/madrid/2026-01-22/el-gobierno-de-ayuso-impone-multas-a-siete-hospitales-publico-privados-por-incumplir-los-estandares-de-calidad.html)
  • Valencian Community: the “new” primary care is launched (https://www.diariomedico.com/medicina/medicina-familiar/comunidad-valenciana-nueva-atencion-primaria-ve-luz.html)
  • The Basque Country launches a pioneering model that unites doctors and social services in a single space (https://www.consalud.es/autonomias/pais-vasco/el-pais-vasco-estrena-un-modelo-pionero-que-une-medicos-y-servicios-sociales-en-un-solo-espacio.html)
  • The new Faculty of Medicine arrives in La Rioja (https://www.consalud.es/autonomias/la-rioja/la-nueva-facultad-de-medicina-llega-este-2026-a-la-rioja-nuestro-ecosistema-sanitariose-va-a-fortalecer.html)
  • Osakidetza awards 60 hard-to-fill family doctor positions (https://www.redaccionmedica.com/autonomias/pais-vasco/osakidetza-adjudica-60-plazas-de-dificil-cobertura-a-medicos-de-familia–6471)

• MIR (Medical Residency Exam)
  • A chaotic MIR exam begins (https://www.elconfidencial.com/salud/2026-01-21/mir-2026-que-es-preguntas_4287426/)
  • Nearly 800 unsuccessful applicants will be able to take the exam (https://www.elmundo.es/ciencia-y-salud/salud/2026/01/24/6973a8bd21efa05a4c8b45d8.html)

• Framework Statute
  • Doctors increase pressure on the Health Ministry and call for a week-long strike each month until June. The first strike will begin on February 16, and the unions are calling for a “united demonstration” two days prior in Madrid (https://elpais.com/sociedad/2026-01-22/los-medicos-convocan-una-semana-de-huelga-al-mes-desde-el-16-de-febrero-para-exigir-un-estatuto-propio.html)
  • “The European medical profession has its own statutes, so why is Spain the exception?” The Secretary General of CESM, in response to the proposed indefinite strike, reiterates the demand for a medical statute like those in Portugal, the United Kingdom, and Germany. (https://www.diariomedico.com/medicina/profesion/profesion-medica-europea-estatutos-propios-espana-excepcion.html)

• Artificial intelligence
  • 90% of young people use AI for health consultations before going to the doctor. One in four Spaniards admits to self-diagnosing via the internet, influencers, or AI tools (https://theobjective.com/sanidad/2026-01-25/jovenes-ia-consultas-salud-medico/)

• Medical Negligence
  • Complaints of medical negligence are skyrocketing in Spain (https://www.elespanol.com/ciencia/salud/20260121/denuncias-negligencia-medica-disparan-espana-crecen-cirugias-esteticas-fallidas-partos-hipoxia/1003744097141_0.html)

• Leprosy
  • Leprosy is still present in Spain, with more than 100 cases per year (https://www.elespanol.com/ciencia/salud/20260123/lepra-sigue-viva-espana-casos-anos-andalucia-madrid-cataluna-encabezan-lista/1003744100258_0.html)

Companies

• International
  • “Big Tobacco” companies are evolving into “Big Nicotine.” Companies like British American Tobacco and Philip Morris are refocusing their businesses on nicotine-based alternatives (https://www.ft.com/content/701f58d2-66f8-4dfb-91de-f49dadecc24e)
  • GSK poised to acquire a food allergy company for $2.2 billion (https://www.ft.com/content/80a5f5fc-59e0-4969-803e-7fd50e4812ba)
  • Trump’s attacks on the pharmaceutical industry are driving increased interest from funds in this sector in Europe. The value of private equity deals in the old continent has risen by 70%, while in the United States it has grown by ‘only’ 20%. (https://www.elespanol.com/invertia/observatorios/sanidad/20260121/ataques-trump-industria-farmaceutica-disparan-interes-fondos-sector-europa/1003744097200_0.html)
  • Abbvie also agrees to price reductions with the Trump Administration (https://www.diariomedico.com/medicina/empresas/abbvie-acuerda-tambien-bajadas-precios-administracion-trump.html)

• National News
  • The gym business in Spain gains strength in 2025 (https://theobjective.com/economia/2026-01-24/gimnasios-espana-facturacion-2025/)
  • The health insurance sector once again stands out above the rest of the insurance industry and grows by 11.43% in 2025. Health insurance premiums totaled €13.443 billion, and among its varieties—healthcare, reimbursement, and subsidy—the first stands out, having grown by 12.08%. (https://www.diariomedico.com/medicina/empresas/ramo-salud-vuelve-destacar-resto-seguros-crece-1143-2025.html)
  • Miranza reinforces its leadership in ophthalmology with the incorporation of the Bedia clinic in Cantabria (https://www.consalud.es/salud35/nacional/miranza-refuerza-su-liderazgo-en-oftalmologia-con-la-incorporacion-de-clinica-bedia-en-cantabria.html)
  • Sanitas strengthens its healthcare network with a new comprehensive medical center in Alicante by 2027 (https://www.consalud.es/salud35/nacional/sanitas-refuerza-su-red-asistencial-con-un-nuevo-centro-medico-integral-en-alicante-para-2027.html)
  • Galenicum partners with India’s Lupin to manufacture generics of Ozempic (https://www.expansion.com/catalunya/2026/01/23/69727d31e5fdea8f688b458e.html)
  • HM will build a mega-hospital complex in northern Madrid. The Abarca family’s new complex will consist of a hospital, a senior living residence, and a university campus. (https://www.eleconomista.es/salud-bienestar/noticias/13739177/01/26/hm-hospitales-construira-un-megacomplejo-sanitario-en-el-norte-de-madrid.html)
  • Sanofi will transfer the management of its factory in Girona to Adamed Pharma) (https://www.eleconomista.es/salud-bienestar/noticias/13739448/01/26/sanofi-transferira-la-gestion-de-su-fabrica-en-girona-a-adamed-pharma.html)

 

Summary

The most impactful health news of the week included:

• Biomedicine: What science will surprise us with, six medical advances for 2026.
• Global health: There is no health without peace. Conflicts are the greatest threat to health.
• International health policy: China leads research in 90% of crucial technologies, the most dramatic change of this century.
• National health policy: The 2026 budgets remain up in the air, paralyzing healthcare investments.
• Companies: Tariff pressure and preferential agreements: Trump’s policy that has managed to segment the pharmaceutical industry in 2026.

Biomedicine

• What science will surprise us with, six medical advances for 2026: 1. Boost to gene editing; 2. Massive liquid biopsy; 3. Single-cell resolution; 4. Regenerative medicine: bioprinting; 5. Triple immunotherapy for a lethal cancer; and 6. Functional cure for HIV, closer than ever.
• The 11 trials that will define 2026, according to Nature. Among others: Tuberculosis vaccine; Treating long COVID; Targeted cancer therapy; Metastatic breast cancer; Reducing heart attacks…

Global Health

• There is no health without peace. What will be the biggest challenge for health in 2026: climate change? AI? Pandemics? Non-communicable diseases? These problems will continue to be a major issue, but across the globe, conflicts will continue to be the primary determinant of people’s health and the functioning of healthcare systems. The impact of armed conflict and violence globally is unusually high.

International Health Policy

• China leads research in 90% of crucial technologies, the most dramatic shift of this century. The US was ahead in the remaining areas, 74 technologies.
• The US administration has released its proposed Medicare pricing model. This model will be mandatory for companies that want to sell medications to Medicare and will require price reductions if prices are higher than those in “comparable countries.”
• Democrats are preparing to capitalize on public discontent regarding the expiring Obamacare subsidies. These subsidies will end next Thursday, and Democrats are working to make this a key issue in the upcoming midterm elections.
• “Hospital at home” aims to revolutionize the British National Health Service. The idea is that instead of patients having to go to the hospital, healthcare professionals will visit the patient at home.

National Health Policy (Spain)

• The 2026 budget remains uncertain, paralyzing healthcare investments. The deficit target is fundamental for the National Health System (NHS), as it establishes the necessary financial framework for determining the resources available for key health policies and programs. The planned budget guidelines include an ambitious technological modernization plan, reducing hospital obsolescence, digitizing processes, and launching strategic projects such as the Healthcare Data Lake, along with funding for the future State Public Health Agency.
• The State Public Health Agency, the Framework Statute, the Tobacco Law, and the Patient Organizations Law are pending healthcare issues for 2026.
• An overview of vaccination in pharmacies: Spain goes against the grain of most Western countries. Much of the EU and countries like the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom allow pharmacists to prescribe and administer vaccines.
• The “ugly duckling” of healthcare: very few dentists in the public system, no specializations, and too many graduates. In 2024, there were 42,860 dentists in Spain, making it the fifth country in the European Union with the highest density of professionals per capita. However, it is the only one of the 27 EU countries where dentists cannot officially specialize.

Companies

• International
  • Tariff pressure and preferential agreements: Trump’s policy that has segmented the pharmaceutical industry in 2026. Donald Trump’s return to the US presidency in 2025 has only increased uncertainty in the pharmaceutical industry, mainly due to the numerous tariffs announced throughout the year. The policy imposed by the American has not been a simple linear increase in taxes, but a complex system of tariff threats ranging from 15% to 250%. Furthermore, Trump has combined this “model of fear” with negotiated exemptions for companies and countries that commit to reducing the price of medicines in the US market or to relocating their production to American territory.
  • Rare diseases, a growing priority for the pharmaceutical industry. The EU framework for orphan medicines aims to promote the development and marketing of medicines for patients with rare diseases by offering incentives to developers.

• National
  • Quirón and Ribera Salud managed to attract 250,000 patients from the Madrid public healthcare system thanks to free choice. In contrast, La Paz, Ramón y Cajal, and 12 de Octubre, as well as almost all directly managed hospitals, lost patients in 2024.

Biomedicine

• What science will surprise us with: six medical advances for 2026: 1. Boost to gene editing; 2. Massive liquid biopsy; 3. Single-cell resolution; 4. Regenerative medicine: bioprinting; 5. Triple immunotherapy for a lethal cancer; and, 6. Functional cure for HIV, closer than ever (https://www.diariomedico.com/medicina/investigacion/sorprendera-ciencia-6-avances-medicina-2026.html)
• The 11 trials that will define 2026, according to Nature. Among others: Tuberculosis vaccine; Treating long COVID; Targeted cancer therapy; Metastatic breast cancer; Reducing heart attacks… (https://www.elespanol.com/ciencia/salud/20260102/reducir-infartos-vacuna-tuberculosis-ensayos-clinicos-van-marcar-nature/1003744075656_0.html)
• 2025 marks a turning point in the fight against Alzheimer’s, cancer, and ALS. In the past year, scientific innovation has taken decisive steps, which are already translating into increased survival rates and a better quality of life (https://www.eldebate.com/salud-y-bienestar/20260101/2025-marca-antes-despues-lucha-contra-alzheimer-cancer-ela_370253.html)
• Artificial intelligence projects that will shape the roadmap for 2026: towards “ultra-precision” medicine (https://gacetamedica.com/investigacion/proyectos-inteligencia-artificial-marcaran-hoja-ruta-2026/)
• The drug that promises to revolutionize alopecia, after a clinical trial with more than 1,500 patients (https://www.elespanol.com/ciencia/salud/20260103/farmaco-promete-revolucionar-alopecia-enhorabuena-anos-sin-nuevas-terapias/1003744076620_0.html)
• Goodbye to injections for diabetics: the “sticker” that adheres to the skin to control glucose, thanks to sweat (https://www.elespanol.com/omicrono/tecnologia/20251229/adios-pinchazos-diabeticos-pegatina-adhiere-piel-controlar-glucosa-gracias-sudor/1003744065611_0.html). The device’s features have been published in the journal Science Advances: https://www.science.org/doi/full/10.1126/sciadv.adt4923
• A study by the University Clinic of Navarra (CUN) says that surgery is more effective for weight loss than drugs in the Ozempic family (https://www.elmundo.es/ciencia-y-salud/salud/2025/12/29/6952473cfdddff985f8b4575.html). Access the original article: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/oby.70100

Global Health

• There is no health without peace. What will be the biggest challenge to health in 2026: climate change? AI? pandemics? non-communicable diseases? These problems will continue to hit us hard, but across the globe, conflict will remain the primary determinant of people’s health and the functioning of health systems. The impact of armed conflict and violence globally is unusually high (https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(25)02596-6/fulltext).
• Magical thinking will not prevent future pandemics or improve public health. Science magazine is surprised by a recent article by the director and deputy director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in which they state that individual preparedness is the primary weapon against pandemics, downplaying collective efforts and community action (https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.aee2611). Access the cited article by the NIH director: https://www.city-journal.org/article/nih-jay-bhattacharya-covid-pandemic-lab
• Aid cuts are harming tuberculosis care in Nepal, which is increasing its domestic health spending to compensate for the funding withdrawal (https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(25)02469-9/fulltext)
• How Cameroon is struggling to save its malaria program after cuts in US aid. In northern Cameroon, health workers try to protect children (https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/28/health/malaria-cameroon-usaid-pmi.html)

International Health Policy

• USA
  • The Administration makes public the proposed Medicare pricing model. The model will be mandatory for companies that want to sell drugs to Medicare and requires price reductions if prices are higher than those in “comparable countries” (https://www.healthaffairs.org/do/10.1377/forefront.20251223.372648/full/)
  • Democrats prepare to exploit public discontent regarding expiring Obamacare subsidies. These subsidies will end next Thursday, and Democrats are working to make this a key issue in the upcoming midterm elections (https://www.politico.com/news/2026/01/02/democrats-obamacare-subsidies-midterms-00708576)
  • The Trump Administration is giving billions of dollars to rural healthcare. The funds will go primarily to small states that adopt policies favored by the Trump Administration. By this criterion, California and Montana, with a considerable size disparity, will receive the same amount of funding (https://www.politico.com/news/2025/12/29/trump-admin-doles-out-billions-for-rural-health-00707332)

• China
  • China leads research in 90% of crucial technologies, the most dramatic shift of this century. The USA was ahead in all other areas, with 74 technologies (https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-025-04048-7)

• United Kingdom
  • The “hospital at home” aims to revolutionize the NHS. The idea is that instead of patients having to go to the hospital, healthcare professionals will go to the patient’s home (https://www.ft.com/content/13e61375-9036-43b5-9bdc-ff69ddd4ff33)

• France
  • The fees of private specialist doctors—pediatricians, psychiatrists, neurologists, and dermatologists—will increase starting January 1 (https://www.lemonde.fr/societe/article/2025/12/29/des-le-1-janvier-des-hausses-de-tarif-des-medecins-specialistes-liberaux_6659717_3224.html)

• Cuba
  • Cuba reports that it is controlling the dengue and chikungunya epidemic, according to the Cuban Ministry of Public Health (https://www.abc.es/salud/cuba-advierte-controlando-epidemia-dengue-chikunguna-20251219230928-vi.html)

National Health Policy

• Impact of General Policy on Health
  • The 2026 budget remains uncertain, paralyzing healthcare investments. The deficit target is fundamental for the National Health System (NHS), as it establishes the necessary financial framework for determining the available resources for key health policies and programs. The planned budget guidelines include an ambitious technological modernization plan, reducing hospital obsolescence, digitizing processes, and implementing strategic projects such as the Healthcare Data Lake, along with funding for the future State Public Health Agency. (https://www.consalud.es/politica/los-presupuestos-de-2026-siguen-en-el-aire-paralizando-nuevas-inversiones-sanitarias.html)

• Central Government Initiatives
  • The Ministry of Health is drafting regulations to limit the working hours of resident physicians (MIRs). The consultation process begins for the future Royal Decree, which will also address specialized healthcare training (https://www.elespanol.com/invertia/observatorios/sanidad/20251229/sanidad-elabora-norma-limitar-jornadas-laborales-mir/1003744072229_0.html)
  • Alleged healthcare VAT fraud of 163 million euros, affecting Salvador Illa’s management as Minister of Health (https://www.elconfidencial.com/espana/2026-01-04/gobierno-silencio-presunto-fraude-iva-sanitario_4276731/)
  • The Treasury will monitor healthcare investments by the autonomous communities, in addition to spending on medicines. The Treasury will expand its monthly monitoring of healthcare spending by the autonomous communities to include, alongside tracking spending on medicines and medical devices, specific monitoring of healthcare investments, with special attention to high-tech hospital equipment. (https://diariofarma.com/2025/12/29/hacienda-monitorizara-las-inversiones-de-las-ccaa-ademas-del-gasto-en-medicamentos)
  • State Public Health Agency, Framework Statute, Tobacco Law, and Patient Organizations Law: pending healthcare issues for 2026 (https://gacetamedica.com/politica/aesap-estatuto-marco-ley-tabaco-asignaturas-pendientes-sanidad-2026/)

• Initiatives of the autonomous communities
  • The regional gap in healthcare investment will widen even further in 2026. Asturias is the region that will allocate the most budget per person (€2,506) and Murcia has the lowest per capita healthcare spending (€1,511) (https://theobjective.com/economia/2025-12-30/brecha-presupuestaria-per-capita-sanidad-2026/)

• Framework Statute
  • Doctors join forces in a common front of mobilizations against the Framework Statute. The main medical unions have met to coordinate a common front and demand their own Statute, rejecting the Draft Law on the Framework Statute of the Ministry of Health (https://www.consalud.es/profesionales/los-medicos-unen-fuerzas-en-un-frente-comun-de-movilizaciones-contra-el-estatuto-marco.html)

• Vaccinations in Spain
  • An overview of vaccination in pharmacies: Spain is at odds with most Western countries. Much of the EU and countries like the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom allow pharmacists to prescribe and administer vaccines (https://elglobalfarma.com/farmacia/panoramica-vacunacion-farmacias-espana/)

• Pharmaceutical World
  • The reference pricing system, key to the sustainability of the National Health System. The Spanish pharmaceutical model revolves around the principle of efficiency and seeks to balance access to innovation with control of public spending. The central pillar of this strategy is the Reference Pricing System, an administrative tool that establishes the maximum amount that the National Health System (NHS) is willing to reimburse for each group of medicines (https://www.consalud.es/industria/el-sistema-de-precios-de-referencia-una-herramienta-clave-para-lograr-cada-ano-la-sostenibilidad-del-sns.html)
  • The Profarma Plan enters a new phase to consolidate Spain as a European pharmaceutical powerhouse. The Ministry of Industry has promoted domestic manufacturing and healthcare autonomy through an incentive system that rewards research excellence, sustainability, and the creation of skilled jobs (https://www.consalud.es/industria/el-plan-profarma-entra-en-su-fase-clave-para-consolidar-a-espana-como-potencia-farmaceutica-europea.html)
  • The Year of the Medicines Act, the Key Project for 2026. The most anticipated legislative reform for the industry will face the beginning of 2026 with the goal of completing its final processing (https://elglobalfarma.com/politica/ley-medicamentos-proyecto-clave-2026/)

• Dental Care
  • The “ugly duckling” of healthcare: very few dentists in the public system, no specializations, and too many graduates. In 2024, there were 42,860 dentists in Spain, making it the fifth country in the European Union with the highest density of professionals per capita. However, it is the only one of the 27 EU countries where dentists cannot officially specialize. (https://www.elconfidencial.com/salud/2026-01-02/odontologia-sanidad-espana_4276623/)

Companies

• International
  • Tariff pressure and preferential agreements: Trump’s policies have segmented the pharmaceutical industry in 2026. Donald Trump’s return to the US presidency in 2025 has only increased uncertainty in the pharmaceutical industry, mainly due to the numerous tariffs announced throughout the year. The policy imposed by the American president has not been a simple linear increase in taxes, but a complex system of tariff threats ranging from 15% to 250%. Furthermore, Trump has combined this “model of fear” with negotiated exemptions for companies and countries that commit to reducing the price of medicines in the US market or to relocating their production to American territory. (https://www.consalud.es/industria/presion-arancelaria-y-acuerdos-de-favor-la-politica-de-trump-que-ha-conseguido-segmentar-la-industria-farmaceutica-en-2025.html)
  • Rare diseases, a growing priority for the pharmaceutical industry. The EU framework for orphan medicines aims to promote the development and marketing of medicines for patients with rare diseases by offering incentives to developers. (https://elglobalfarma.com/industria/enfermedades-raras-prioridad-industria-farmaceutica/)

• National
  • Novo Nordisk fined for irregular promotion of its obesity drug in Spain (https://theobjective.com/economia/2026-01-01/novo-nordisk-multada-promocion-irregular-farmaco-obesidad/)
  • Insurance premiums vary by more than €2,200 per year, depending on age and the number of insured persons. Age increases the premium, especially for more comprehensive policies designed for intensive use of the insurance. (https://www.elespanol.com/observatorio-seguros/20251231/prima-seguro-salud-varia-euros-anuales-edad-numero-asegurados/1003744072124_0.html)
  • The clinic partly owned by Guardiola will open in Madrid, Bilbao, and Marbella and has its sights set on Europe. It is Monarka Clinic, specializing in regenerative medicine and neurolongevity (https://www.eleconomista.es/retail-consumo/noticias/13709638/12/25/la-clinica-participada-por-guardiola-abrira-en-madrid-bilbao-marbella-y-mira-hacia-europa.html)
  • Quirón and Ribera Salud managed to attract 250,000 patients from the Madrid public healthcare system thanks to free choice. Conversely, La Paz, Ramón y Cajal and 12 de Octubre, as well as almost all hospitals under direct administrative management, lost patients in 2024 (https://www.eldiario.es/sociedad/quiron-ribera-salud-lograron-captar-250-000-pacientes-sanidad-publica-madrid-gracias-libre-eleccion_1_12881020.html)

 

 

 

Summary

The week’s most impactful health news stories were:

• Biomedicine: The rarest diseases become treatable.
• Global Health: Universal health coverage, necessary but still a long way off.
• International Health Policy: Brussels finalizes pharmaceutical reform to facilitate access to innovation.
• National Health Policy: The measures being prepared by the government aim to curb privatization.
• Business: Spain inaugurates its first AI factory for healthcare.

Biomedicine

• The rarest diseases become treatable. CRISPR technology is ready to treat many rare diseases, previously untreatable.
• Pharmacogenomics: Clinical progress. Pharmacogenomics is the field that analyzes how genetic variations influence the response to therapy. The feasibility of integrating pharmacogenomics into clinical practice has been analyzed in numerous studies.

Global Health

• Universal health coverage, necessary but still a long way off. Universal health coverage is based on a very simple idea: every person, everywhere, should be able to access the health services they need, without facing financial ruin. However, the “2025 Global Monitoring Report” shows that 4.6 billion people worldwide lack access to essential health services, and 2.1 billion face financial difficulties in accessing them.
• COP30: How it failed to meet challenges. COP30, held in Brazil in November 2025, is considered a failed initiative, as it was unable to reach agreements on fossil fuels.

International health policy

• Brussels finalizes pharmaceutical reform to facilitate access to innovation. The EU reached a provisional agreement to comprehensively renew pharmaceutical legislation, with measures aimed at improving access, strengthening security of supply, and stimulating innovation. One of the key elements is regulatory protection of up to eleven years (8+1+1+1) for innovative medicines that meet certain conditions.
•  The Republican Party is moving toward letting Obamacare subsidies expire, while Trump promises money for people. It seems the latest idea is to let the subsidies expire and make way for “health savings accounts.”
• The decline of healthcare in Milei’s Argentina. Since coming to power two years ago, Milei has cut spending on healthcare, education, and science. The current second health minister is a representative of the private sector.
• The Ecuadorian healthcare system is on the verge of collapse. Hospitals are overflowing and lack supplies, and patients’ lives depend on what they can afford to pay.

National Health Policy (Spain)

• The measures being prepared by the government aim to curb privatization. Minister Mónica García has announced that she is finalizing regulations to limit the entry of for-profit companies into the management of public healthcare centers. The position stems from two errors: 1) that profit-making in healthcare is illegitimate, which is not considered as such in the General Health Law itself; 2) the substantial advantage of non-profit organizations over for-profit ones, as if cost and quality were not the important factors, and as if mismanagement or unjustifiable privileges for employees were not possible in non-profit organizations.
• The Ministry has published a document evaluating private healthcare in Spain. It is worth noting that, as the document itself states, this is the first time the Ministry of Health has conducted an analysis of private healthcare, which, apart from other considerations, we consider positive. The Ministry cannot continue to ignore the reality of the private healthcare sector, as it has done until now.
• The People’s Party (PP) has submitted a non-binding resolution demanding the withdrawal of the reform to the Framework Statute. The People’s Party is also calling for the Minister of Health to appear before Parliament to explain “the chaos caused” by her proposed Framework Statute.

Companies

• International
  • Novo Nordisk’s stock price has fallen 50% this year and is now trading at a loss, a consequence of its weight-loss drug program. The stock market crash has ended several years of spectacular gains following the approval of Ozempic and Wegowy.

• National
  • Spain inaugurates its first AI factory for healthcare. Spain, along with Germany and Poland, is one of only three countries in the European Union with two artificial intelligence factories approved by the European Commission.

Biomedicine

• Pharmacogenomics: Clinical Progress. Pharmacogenomics is the field that analyzes how genetic variations influence the response to therapy. The feasibility of integrating pharmacogenomics into clinical practice has been analyzed in multiple studies (https://www.amjmed.com/article/S0002-9343(25)00389-4/fulltext)
• The Rarest Diseases Become Treatable. CRISPR technology is poised to treat many rare, previously untreatable diseases (https://www.theatlantic.com/science/2025/12/person-crispr-treatment/685151/)
• The “Molecular Kinship” of Mental Illnesses: 14 Disorders Share Risk Genetic Variants. A study based on DNA data from one million people sheds light on a biological key to understanding these illnesses (https://elpais.com/salud-y-bienestar/2025-12-10/el-parentesco-molecular-de-las-enfermedades-mentales-14-trastornos-comparten-variantes-geneticas-de-riesgo.html)
• Progress is being made on a vaccine that prevents triple-negative breast cancer. The vaccine produced an immune response in the majority (74%) of participants, and was also safe and well-tolerated (https://www.abc.es/salud/enfermedades/avanza-vacuna-previene-cancer-mama-triple-negativo-20251211003000-nt.html).

Global Health

• Universal health coverage, necessary but still a long way off. Universal health coverage is based on a very simple idea: every person, everywhere, should be able to access the health services they need, without facing financial ruin. However, the “2025 Global Monitoring Report” shows that there are 4.6 billion people in the world without access to essential health services and 2.1 billion who had financial difficulties accessing them (https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(25)02511-5/fulltext). Access the original document: https://cdn.who.int/media/docs/default-source/gho-documents/gmr-2025_conference-edition_online.pdf?sfvrsn=f8cf10f6_9&download=true
• A new era for sustainable HIV prevention in Africa. The situation has worsened due to the closure of USAID. The article argues that the only way to prevent HIV/AIDS in Africa is to integrate this assistance into other services (https://www.thelancet.com/journals/langlo/article/PIIS2214-109X(25)00497-8/fulltext)
• COP30: How it failed to meet challenges. COP30, held in Brazil in November 2025, is considered a failed initiative, as it was unable to reach agreements on fossil fuels. (https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanepe/article/PIIS2666-7762(25)00351-5/fulltext)

International Health Policy

• USA
  • The regrettable step backward in the USA regarding vaccines. Despite the world experiencing a period of significant scientific progress in vaccines, including the addition of mRNA technology, the US administration is simultaneously shifting from support to skepticism, if not outright boycott. Vaccination is no longer considered a health priority and a civic duty (https://www.ft.com/content/6b4d2745-978f-4f3a-8526-b11646716cfa)
  • The law that saved American vaccines, and which the Secretary of Health wants to destroy. The development of vaccination in the USA is based on a set of laws passed over several decades, always with bipartisan support. This is what Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., Trump’s chosen Secretary of Health, wants to destroy (https://www.healthaffairs.org/do/10.1377/forefront.20251208.922418/full/)
  • The Republican Party is moving toward letting Obamacare subsidies expire, while Trump promises money for people. It seems the latest idea is to let the subsidies expire and make way for “health savings accounts” (https://www.politico.com/news/2025/12/09/gop-obamacare-subsidies-expire-00684115)

• China
  • China is leading the way in AI governance. China is making great strides in regulating AI, something that should be a global trend (https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-025-03972-y)

• United Kingdom
  • The NHS in Scotland needs reforms to survive. Scotland’s NHS will be unsustainable in its current form, according to a recent official report (https://www.bmj.com/content/391/bmj.r2578). Access to the original document “NHS in Scotland 2025. Finance and performance”: https://cdn.who.int/media/docs/default-source/gho-documents/gmr-2025_conference-edition_online.pdf?sfvrsn=f8cf10f6_9&download=true

• France
  • The Social Security budget announces an €8 billion increase in the healthcare budget between 2025 and 2026 (https://www.lemonde.fr/politique/live/2025/12/09/en-direct-budget-de-la-secu-amelie-de-montchalin-annonce-une-enveloppe-pour-la-sante-de-8-milliards-de-plus-entre-2025-et-2026_6656584_823448.html)

• Argentina
  • The The decline of healthcare in Milei’s Argentina. Since coming to power two years ago, Milei has cut spending on healthcare, education, and science. The current Deputy Minister of Health is a representative of the private sector (https://www.bmj.com/content/391/bmj.r2284)

• Ecuador
  • The healthcare system is on the verge of collapse. Hospitals are overwhelmed and lack supplies, and patients’ lives depend on what they can afford to pay (https://elpais.com/america/2025-12-08/la-crisis-de-salud-en-ecuador-toca-fondo-con-cadaveres-entregados-en-cajas-de-carton-y-un-sistema-al-borde-del-colapso.html)

• European Union
  • Brussels finalizes pharmaceutical reform to facilitate access to innovation. The EU reached a provisional agreement to comprehensively renew pharmaceutical legislation, with measures aimed at improving access, strengthening security of supply, and stimulating innovation. One of the key elements is the regulatory protection of up to eleven years (8+1+1+1) for innovative medicines that meet certain conditions. (https://diariofarma.com/2025/12/11/bruselas-cierra-la-reforma-farmaceutica-europea-para-reforzar-acceso-e-innovacion)
  • The EFPIA doubts that the European pharmaceutical reform will allow innovation to continue. “Although the package contains signs that the EU recognizes the importance of legislation as a key driver of European competitiveness, it is not strong enough to influence European competitiveness.” (https://diariofarma.com/2025/12/11/la-efpia-duda-que-el-acuerdo-farmaceutico-pueda-mantener-la-competitividad-de-la-industria)
  • The Farmaindustria considers the reform of the European Union’s pharmaceutical legislation insufficient. It considers that the agreement reached by the EU Council and the European Parliament “lacks ambition and concrete measures” to maintain competitiveness against the US and Asia. (https://www.diariomedico.com/farmacia/industria/farmaindustria-ve-insuficiente-reforma-legislacion-farmaceutica-ue.html)

• WHO
  • According to the WHO, there is a need for significant growth in the production of medications to combat obesity. According to the WHO, production must be expanded and prices reduced (https://www.bmj.com/content/391/bmj.r2540)
  • The WHO reaffirms that there is no link between vaccines and autism (https://www.lemonde.fr/sante/article/2025/12/11/l-oms-reaffirme-qu-il-n-y-a-pas-de-lien-entre-les-vaccins-et-l-autisme_6656938_1651302.html)

• OECD
  • A summary report on reforms in OECD countries is published. It summarizes the health reform trends in these countries (https://health.ec.europa.eu/document/download/f1d320de-6157-49fb-ac35-7cbdd4e426a5_en?filename=state_2025_synthesis_report_en.pdf)

National Health Policy

• Central Government Initiatives
  • The measures being prepared by the government aim to curb privatization. Minister Mónica García has announced that she is finalizing regulations to limit the entry of for-profit companies into the management of public health centers (https://elpais.com/sociedad/2025-12-08/las-medidas-que-prepara-el-gobierno-para-afrontar-el-escandalo-de-torrejon-una-ley-para-poner-coto-a-la-privatizacion-denuncia-a-la-fiscalia-y-una-inspeccion.html)
  • The government against the “Alzira model” in public healthcare. Antonio Casado says in “El Confidencial”: Banning private management in eight public hospitals to curb the “profit motive” would be like banning public procurement of private goods to avoid “bribes” (https://blogs.elconfidencial.com/espana/al-grano/2025-12-08/gestion-privada-hospitales-publicos-1hms_4262112/)
  • The ministry releases a document evaluating private healthcare in Spain. It should be noted that, as the document itself states, this is the first time the Ministry of Health has conducted an analysis of private healthcare, which, apart from other considerations, we consider positive. The Ministry cannot continue to ignore the reality of the private healthcare sector, as it has done until now. (https://www.sanidad.gob.es/gabinetePrensa/notaPrensa/pdf/20251091225131137451.pdf)
  • The government considers that almost a third of the hospitals in the National Health System (NHS) are privately managed, which it deems anomalous. Spending in these centers has increased by 84%, reaching 4.8 billion euros. “What was once an exceptional measure has become standard practice,” says the Ministry of Health (https://elpais.com/sociedad/2025-12-09/casi-un-tercio-de-los-hospitales-del-sistema-nacional-de-salud-estan-gestionados-por-la-privada.html)

• Initiatives of the Autonomous Communities
  • Cantabria will create advanced palliative care and early intervention areas (https://www.redaccionmedica.com/autonomias/cantabria/cantabria-creara-areas-de-cuidados-paliativos-avanzados-y-atencion-temprana-4883)
  • Asturias promotes changes in Health and the SESPA (https://www.consalud.es/autonomias/asturias/nueva-estructura-salud-sespa-modelo-asistencial-eficiente-equitativo.html)

• Scandal surrounding news from Torrejón Hospital
  • The Community of Madrid The Madrid regional government and the Ribera group both denied the scandal at their first meeting. A statement from the regional government simply disseminated the words of the company’s president, Emmanuel de Geuser, denying any kind of instruction to increase profits (https://elpais.com/sociedad/2025-12-09/la-comunidad-de-madrid-y-el-grupo-ribera-coinciden-en-negar-el-escandalo-del-hospital-de-torrejon-tras-su-primera-reunion.html)

• Framework Statute
  • Four days of doctors’ strike against the Statute last week (https://www.elmundo.es/ciencia-y-salud/salud/2025/12/09/6937c07b21efa089608b4572.html)
  • The Forum of the Medical Profession supports the strike against the Framework Statute. The Forum of the Medical Profession reaffirms its support to the mobilizations and the four days of national strike, considering that the draft of the Framework Statute does not guarantee real improvements in working conditions or in the quality of care (https://www.consalud.es/profesionales/medicina/el-foro-de-la-profesion-medica-respalda-las-cuatro-jornadas-de-huelga-contra-el-borrador-del-estatuto-marco.html)
  • The People’s Party (PP) has registered a non-binding motion demanding the withdrawal of the reform of the Framework Statute. The PP is also requesting the appearance of the Minister of Health to explain “the chaos caused” by her proposed Framework Statute. (https://www.diariomedico.com/medicina/politica/pp-registra-pnl-exigiendo-retirada-reforma-estatuto-marco.html)

• Deaths and cause of death
  • Deaths and cause of death in Spain in 2023 (a 6.1% decrease in deaths compared to 2022) (https://www.sanidad.gob.es/gabinetePrensa/notaPrensa/pdf/Defun101225134104376.pdf)
  • The age-adjusted mortality rate decreased by 7.2% in 2023 (https://www.diariomedico.com/medicina/medicina-preventiva/tasa-mortalidad-ajustada-edad-disminuyo-72-2023.html)

• Hospital Renovation
  • The works that will bring the hospitals of the future. The National Health System (NHS) is undergoing the largest hospital reform since the 1990s: dozens of centers under construction, emblematic demolitions, and new projects that will redefine healthcare. In 2025, centers such as the new University Hospital of Salamanca, the Provincial Hospital of Castellón, and the University Hospital of the Canary Islands (HUC) in Tenerife (following its comprehensive renovation of the Emergency Department and ICU) were inaugurated, while almost all the autonomous communities already have projects underway or out to tender that outline a systemic transformation. With the absence of a national inventory and significant regional differences, this silent process will determine the quality of healthcare in the next decade. (https://www.diariomedico.com/medicina/politica/mapa-sanitario-renovacion-obras-traeran-atencion-hospitalaria-futuro.html)

• Swine Fever
  • According to the Minister of Agriculture, the next two weeks are key to understanding the extent of swine fever. The minister highlights the speed with which action was taken in response to the outbreak and is confident that the economic setback for the sector will be “temporary” (https://elpais.com/economia/2025-12-07/luis-planas-las-dos-proximas-semanas-son-clave-para-ver-la-extension-de-la-peste-porcina.html)

Companies

• International
  • Pfizer drastically reduces its workforce in Switzerland while launching a global cost-cutting campaign. The pharmaceutical company will reduce its local team from 300 to around 70 employees before the end of the year (https://www.consalud.es/salud35/internacional/pfizer-recorta-mas-de-dos-tercios-de-su-plantilla-en-suiza-en-plena-expansion-de-su-campana-global-de-ahorro.html)
  • Novo Nordisk’s stock has fallen 50% this year and is now trading against the previous weight-loss drug market. The stock market crash has ended several years of spectacular gains following the approval of Ozempic and Wegowy (https://cincodias.elpais.com/companias/2025-12-11/novo-nordisk-cae-un-50-en-el-ano-y-ya-cotiza-como-si-nunca-hubiera-existido-un-frenesi-de-los-farmacos-para-adelgazar.html)

• National News
  • Spain inaugurates the first AI factory in healthcare. Spain, along with Germany and Poland, is one of only three countries in the European Union with two artificial intelligence factories approved by the European Commission (https://www.consalud.es/profesionales/nace-la-primera-fabrica-de-ia-en-salud-de-espana.html)