7 days in healthcare (August 15-21, 2022)

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Summary

From the point of view of biomedicine, the first drug is prepared using CRISPR (gene editing) technology. Important publication from The Lancet in the largest effort yet to identify risk factors in relation to cancer. Not surprisingly, however, tobacco and alcohol are the biggest risk factors, particularly tobacco.

As far as Global Health is concerned, polio is back and the UK is now offering vaccinations to children in London between the ages of 1 and 9.

Regarding international health policy, the famous North American Inflation Reduction Act has been signed by President Biden. Despite its name, the law has more to do with climate change and health, especially drug prices. No large growth in monkeypox is predicted, based on modeling carried out by The Economist. Deaths from covid remain high (15,000 a week globally) warns the Director General of the WHO. The Director of the American CDC denounces serious failures in the management of covid and announces substantial changes in the functioning of this body. A clear contrast to what is happening in Spain, where no conclusions seem to be drawn from the management of covid, despite being one of the most affected countries in terms of the number of cases and mortality in relation to the population.

If we talk about national health policy (Spain), the good news are that covid continues to decline, although there are still 62 deaths per day. The approval of the State Center for Public Health, scheduled for next week, is possibly the biggest consequence of covid. The birth rate in Spain falls to historical lows.

In the field of companies, drug prices break historical records in the USA. In Spain, HIPRA is preparing to manufacture 250 million doses of covid vaccines, pending approval by the EMA.

Biomedicine

Global Health

International health policy

National health policy

Companies

 

7 days in healthcare (August 8th-14th, 2022)

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Summary

From the point of view of biomedicine, there seems to be a glimpse of a new drug to prevent the transmission of HIV/AIDS, for which there are problems in obtaining an affordable price. Animal testing is the basis for certain advances in medicine. This can be overcome with certain new discoveries, according to the company Lift Sciences.

Regarding Global Health, two key issues: a new zoonosis (“Langya”) appears in China, as published in the NEJM. In certain developed countries it seems that polio, which was considered eradicated, is making a comeback.

Regarding international health policy, the approval of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) of 2022 in the United States, about Climate, Fiscal and Health will have a very important impact. Aside from expanding access to insurance through the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare), surely the most far-reaching impact will be on the pharmaceutical industry. Gradually, Medicare will be able to negotiate the price of medicines with the pharmaceutical industry, something that until now it could not do. This radically changes the business model of the pharmaceutical industry, which was based on two things: the protection of intellectual property through patents; and the existence of free prices with high margins in the United States (the largest pharmaceutical market) and regulated prices and lower margins in the rest of the world. A substantial change that will most likely have a global impact. It may also curb the escalation of health care spending in the United States. We’ll see if this doesn’t upset the fast pace of drug innovation.

If we talk about national health policy (Spain), the good news is that, as in all of Europe, covid continues to decrease in incidence, although it is still a worrying disease, due to the number of hospitalized cases and mortality.

In the field of companies, trials for new covid variants begin by BioNTech and Pfizer. More than 2,300 Spanish pharmacies can now sell through the Glovo platform and soon Uber, although only parapharmacy products, not prescription drugs.

Biomedicine

Global health

International health policy

National health policy

Companies

 

 

 

 

 

7 days in healthcare (1st-7th August 2022)

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Summary

From the point of view of biomedicine, to highlight the use of monoclonal antibodies to combat malaria; also the return to life of cells and tissues in dead pigs, which may be important in transplants; and, the fact that the genomic map of chronic lymphatic leukemia has been completed, which, sooner or later, will have consequences in the treatment of this disease.

As far as Global Health is concerned, the poor preparation of most countries in the face of the increasingly frequent heat waves is confirmed, according to The Lancet.

As for international health policy, the United States declares monkeypox a public health emergency, the Administration covering itself up against certain accusations of slowness in dealing with this problem; global decline in the number of covid cases, particularly in Europe. Problems continue in the United States due to restrictions on abortion. Three news to highlight in the United States: the number of uninsured reaches the record low figure of 8%; the American Democrats have a majority in Congress within reach to approve the law that tries to reduce the price of medicines, by way of allowing Medicare to negotiate prices; and, finally, for the first time in decades, health spending in the United States fell in the first quarter of 2022, although it is doubtful that this will continue.

If we talk about national health policy (Spain), monkeypox continues with a very high number of infected people and a shortage of vaccines; large drop in the incidence of covid. Great and difficult to justify delay in the report commissioned by the Ministry of Health from experts on the management of the covid pandemic. Surely there will be more than technical analysis problems in the cause of this delay. The doctors of the private health, threaten with the copayment, before what they consider low rates of the insurers.

In the field of companies, Pfizer continues with its aggressive policy of buying companies, while the growth of Quirónsalud, which already exceeds 2 billion euros in turnover, should be highlighted.

Biomedicine

Global Health

International health policy

National health policy

Companies

 

 

7 days in healthcare (25th-31st July, 2022)

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Summary

From the point of view of biomedicine, it should be noted that the origin of acute childhood hepatitis has been discovered, it turns out to be due to a co-infection of two viruses, ruling out covid as the cause of this disease. Major advances by a group of Yale scientists in the treatment of brain tumors, specifically aggressive glioblastoma multiforme, using molecules that attack tumor DNA. Deep Mind (a company of the Alphabet group, parent of Google) launches an algorithm capable of identifying the structure of proteins. It seems that this advance may be of great importance for the discovery of new drugs.

As far as Global Health is concerned, air pollution is a public health emergency, according to the British Medical Journal. The WHO reaches an agreement on a treaty on pandemics, which should be agreed in May-2024.

Regarding international health policy, mention should be made of the declaration by the WHO of monkeypox as a global public health emergency, which is justified by the existence of more than 17,300 cases in more than 70 countries. It seems that it is confirmed that covid-19 originated in the live animal market in Wuhan (China).

If we talk about national health policy (Spain), two deaths in Spain as a result of monkeypox (in both cases due to encephalitis). At the present time there is only one other case of death from this disease in Brazil. The incidence of covid-19 drops very significantly, moving us away from the peak of the seventh wave.

In the field of companies, it should be noted that Fujijilm is going to be transformed into a health company. Teladoc’s notable financial losses. Vivalto Santé, an important French group, acquires the property of Ribera through the sale of Centene Corporation.

Biomedicine

Global Health

International health policy

National health policy

Companies

 

7 days in healthcare (June 27th-July 3rd, 2022)

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Summary

From the point of view of biomedicine, surprising finding that the flu vaccine helps prevent Alzheimer’s.

As far as Global Health is concerned, the ravages of the war in Ukraine are noted. Most of the morbidity and mortality is not caused by direct military action, but by problems of assistance and malnutrition. Interesting article in The Lancet about the need to put an end to a global problem: the marriage of girls under 18 years of age, which is also the cause of many health problems.

Regarding international health policy, it should be noted that the WHO is concerned about the possible spread of monkeypox among children and pregnant women. Regarding covid, a study among the G10 countries (Spain is not included) demonstrates the outstanding performance of Canada in its fight against covid, second only to Japan. Almost unanimity among the scientific and opinion press on the negative consequences of the annulment of the Roe v Wade ruling, leaving the legalization of abortion in the hands of the American States. It is insisted that previous experience shows that the ban does not change the number of abortions, but rather their safety. Condemns also from the American Medical Association (the American medical colleges) and the Association of American Medical Colleges (which represents the academic medical world in the USA). More online health care is expected as a result of the digitalisation plan of the British NHS.

If we talk about national health policy (Spain), given the increase in the incidence of covid and the increase in cases of hospitalization and deaths, Minister Darias recommends the use of masks indoors. Doubts about the credibility of this recommendation, after months minimizing the impact of covid and talking about “flu”. It was approved the so-called “Trans law”, which has consequences on the SNS. Significant opposition in Catalonia (both from the government and from associative entities, such as the UCH) to the Equity Law project approved by the government.

In the field of companies, regardless of their utility or not, great growth in the activity of vendors of “traditional medicine”, which in China have the support of the government. Spanish health technology companies request a plan, given the supply crisis and the increase in costs.

Biomedicine

Global health

International health policy

National health policy

Companies

 

 

 

7 days in healthcare (June 13th-20th, 2022)

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Summary

From the point of view of biomedicine, to highlight the new therapy against a disease as terrible as ALS tested in Canada. Unfortunately there are doubts as to its effectiveness.

As far as Global Health is concerned, it is verified that it is the vaccine nationalism of the States that has led to the failure of COVAX, which failed to extend covid vaccination to poor countries in significant percentages.

Regarding international health policy, the approval in the United States of the covid vaccination for children under five years of age should be highlighted. Also the agreement of the World Trade Organization regarding the temporary suspension of patents on covid vaccines, something he was discussing for two years. We will see if this agreement translates into relevant measures. For now, the IFPMA (World Association of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers) has already spoken out against it. Hospitalizations for covid increase in Europe, specifically in France, Germany and the United Kingdom.

If we talk about national health policy (Spain), we must mention the controversial announcement by the Minister of Health of the fourth dose of covid for the entire population, something partially rectified by the Ministry itself and which has been rejected by many experts. Also the approval by the Government of the preliminary draft of the Equity Law. Great controversy with the private sector, since it tries to minimize and declare exceptional the collaboration of the private sector in the public service of the National Health System. But by declaring “direct management” as preferable in the SNS, it also positions itself against the more entrepreneurial development of public management, despite the fact that the benefits of legal personality and the labor regime are known in terms of greater efficiency than direct management. On the other hand, the draft may undermine the powers of the autonomous communities, since health management (and therefore the way of carrying it out) is a transferred matter. It is not surprising that very important Catalan institutions (such as UCH, CSC, ACES and Círculo de Sanidad) have taken a position against it. Important demonstration by nurses in the center of Madrid, highlighting the importance of the abandoned professional policy in the National System of Health.

In the field of companies, it is worth noting the birth of the largest pediatric oncology center in Spain and one of the largest in Europe: the one located in the Sant Joan de Deu Hospital in Barcelona. Expansión highlights that the remarkable growth of health insurance is compatible with a loss of its operating profitability.

Biomedicine

Global health

International health policy

National health policy

• Monkeypox

• COVID

• Regulatory announcements

• Other themes

Companies

7 days in healthcare (6th-12th June, 2022)

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Summary

From the point of view of biomedicine, the article in the journal Cell stands out, in which MIT researchers design a complete functional map of genes in human cells. Also the possibilities of liquid biopsy, which will make it possible to diagnose cancers at an early stage through a simple blood test. It is also necessary to highlight the controversy over the transmission of monkeypox, some say that the transmission could be aerial, while the CDC denies it. This is important in terms of vaccination strategy.

As far as Global Health is concerned, the humanitarian problems of the Ukraine war should be highlighted, which will not only be local but global.

Regarding international health policy, it is worth highlighting the Health Affairs article that shows that mortality from covid is higher in counties with a Republican vote than in those with a Democratic vote. Incredible conclusion, although this can be explained by a greater rejection of masks, social distance and vaccination in Republican environments. Health and its preventive orientation declared a priority by Macron. We will see what this translates into in practice.

If we talk about national health policy (Spain), it should be mentioned that 15 new CAR-T centers are approved in several hospitals. Impressive and accurate title of a talk by Rafael Bengoa: “SNS: 500,000 competent professionals in an incompetent model.” It rightly puts the emphasis on management and organization. This contrasts with the poverty and lack of news and prioritization of the programs of both the PP and the PSOE in the Andalusian elections. The PP program introduces the nonsense of making the 9,000 hired by the public health companies statutory, one of the successes of the PSOE in health. As for the PSOE program, it is a very long program, without any prioritization, and full of reflections against collaboration with the private sector, as if the so-called “privatization” were the problem of the system.

At the corporate level, the promising advances of BioNTech in pancreatic cancer and AstraZeneca-Daiichi in breast cancer should be noted.

Biomedicine

Global Health

International health policy

National health policy

Companies

7 days in healthcare (30th May-5th June, 2022)

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Summary

From the point of view of biomedicine, to highlight the Science article, showing that the brain and the immune system are interconnected. Monkeypox is transmitted by direct contact, therefore “ring vaccination” is indicated, only to contacts of an infected person.

As far as Global Health is concerned, the universal coverage approach in Nigeria, the most populous country in Africa, should be highlighted. It is seen that universal coverage is no longer just something of Europe or the industrialized countries.

As for international health policy, the frequent shootings in American schools are covered by medical journals (The Lancet, British Medical Journal), as it is also a health problem. Something perfectly avoidable.

If we talk about national health policy (Spain), it should be mentioned that private health offers to collaborate with public health in addressing the problem of waiting lists.

In the field of companies, Takeda’s statements are surprising, saying that pharmaceutical companies will be able to lower prices in the face of a global crisis. The acquisition of the HIPRA vaccine by Brussels is advancing.

Biomedicine

Global health

International health policy

  • Monkeypox

o 21 Americans affected by monkeypox, according to the CDC (https://www.nytimes.com/2022/06/03/health/monkeypox-vaccine-treatments.html)

o New York Times editorial: To fight monkeypox we have to learn the lessons of covid and HIV (https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/29/opinion/monkeypox-covid-and- hiv.html)

o Concern in Europe that massive summer parties spread monkeypox (https://www.lavanguardia.com/vida/20220605/8317253/pretrabajo-fiestas-masivas-verano-extend-viruela-mono.html)

  • COVID-19

o Covid cases on the rise in the Americas: North and Central America) (https://www.bmj.com/content/377/bmj.o1355)

o Does the world need new covid vaccines? (https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMe2204695)

o Doubts about whether the arrival BA.4 and BA.5 of the omicron will mean a new wave of covid in France (https://www.lemonde.fr/planete/article/2022/06/04/covid-19 -l-arrivee-de-ba-4-et-ba-5-en-france-va-t-elle-entrainer-une-nouvelle-vague-de-contaminations_6128892_3244.html)

o The subvariant of the BA.5 omicron is a cause of concern in Portugal (https://www.lemonde.fr/planete/article/2022/06/04/au-portugal-le-sous-variant-ba-5-d-omicron -restless_6128944_3244.html)

o The zero-covid policy in China is unfeasible in the long run, the only question is when it will abandon it to “live with covid”. Article in Science magazine (https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.add1891)

  • Other themes

o The frequent shootings in American schools, also as a health problem, treated in medical journals. The Lancet: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(22)01006-6/fulltext; British Medical Journal: https://www.bmj.com/content/377/bmj.o1378

o The black market of antivirals for covid (https://www.bmj.com/content/377/bmj.o1282)

o Shortage of doctors in Italy (https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(22)01009-1/fulltext)

o Medical abortion and telemedicine in a post-Roe v Wade phase (https://www.bmj.com/content/377/bmj.o1393)

o The Center for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) in the USA plans to advance Value Based Healthcare (https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2792275)

National health policy

  • Monkeypox

o Spain reaches 132 positives for monkeypox (https://www.consalud.es/pacientes/infecciosas/viruela-mono-espana-casos_115507_102.html)

  • COVID

o The incidence of covid in people over 60 years of age falls 45 points again (https://www.abc.es/sociedad/abci-incidencia-covid-mayores-60-anos-volve-caer-45-puntos-202206031649_noticia .html)

  • Regulatory announcements

o The Order to allocate 217 places to non-EU citizens was published in the Official Bulletin (BOE) (https://www.consalud.es/especial-mir/boe-orden-adjudicar-217-plazas-mir-vacantes-extracomunitarios_115651_102.html)

  • Other themes

o Private healthcare offers to reduce surgical waiting lists by 30%, according to ASPE (https://www.eleconomista.es/salud/noticias/11799678/06/22/La-sanidad-privada- offered-to-reduce-the-surgical-waiting-list-by-30.html)

o Aragon extends dental care up to 14 years of age (https://www.consalud.es/autonomias/aragon/aragon-amplia-hasta-14-anos-programa-atencion-salud-bucodental_115455_102.html)

Companies

  • International News

o GSK is going to buy the Affinivax biotech group for 3.0 billion dollars (https://www.ft.com/content/3a5e33ea-1af6-4554-bf50-225441fe4c24)

o BMS about to acquire drugmaker Turning Point for $4.1 billion (https://www.ft.com/content/9c5b319c-20c3-4558-826f-260d0698975b)

o Takeda says that pharmaceutical companies could lower prices in the face of a global crisis (https://www.ft.com/content/492beff8-a077-421e-8da9-faf378e15175)

o The company that manufactures the monkeypox vaccine has the capacity to produce 30 million doses (https://www.elespanol.com/invertia/observatorios/sanidad/20220531/empresa-fabrica-vacuna-viruela-capacity-produce -millions/676432695_0.html)

  • National News

o Brussels finalizes the acquisition of the HIPRA vaccine for covid (https://www.eleconomista.es/salud/noticias/11791545/05/22/Bruselas-ultima-la-adquisicion-de-la-vacuna-espanola-de -Hipra-for-the-Covid.html)

o HM acquires the Los Nogales Pontones center to build a new hospital (https://www.plantadoce.com/empresa/hm-hospitales-acquire-el-centro-los-nogales-pontones-para-levantar-un-nuevo- hospital.html)

o Vithas recovers from the covid downturn and grows 19% in 2021 (https://www.plantadoce.com/empresa/vithas-se-recupera-del-bache-del-covid-19-y-crece-un -Jan-19-2021.html)

o Grupo HLA targets 500 million revenues in 2022 (https://www.plantadoce.com/empresa/grupo-hla-apunta-a-500-millones-de-euros-en-ingresos-en-2022.html)

o The contracting of medical insurance skyrockets in Cantabria and Catalonia in 2021. At the national level, 24% of the population has private medical insurance, although low cost ones are included (only consultations and tests) (https://www. .elespanol.com/invertia/observatorios/sanidad/20220605/contratacion-seguros-medicos-dispara-cantabria-cataluna/677432488_0.html)

o The laboratories devastate the funds in their bid for Lacer (https://www.expansion.com/empresas/2022/05/30/6293eb1ee5fdea29048b45f4.html)

o Vithas has an agenda to achieve the 2030 goals (https://www.redaccionmedica.com/secciones/privada/vithas-se-fija-2025-para-alcanzar-el-80-de-los-objetivos-de-la -phonebook-2030-9828)

o DKV presents the 2021 corporate report and the Imagina 2025 Strategic Plan (https://dkv.es/corporativo/sala-prensa/noticias/informe-anual-2021)

7 days in healthcare (May 23th-29th, 2022)

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Summary

From the point of view of biomedicine, the most important are the advances in the study of the microbiota, published in the journal Science.

As far as Global Health is concerned, the tragic mistake of the donation of vaccines by Europe should be highlighted, since many of those sent were close to expiration. Reappearance of polio in Africa, always worrying.

Regarding international health policy, the European health agency asks governments to be prepared against possible vaccination against monkeypox. Health bursts into the spotlight at the Davos Economic Forum.

If we talk about national health policy (Spain), Spain joins the European system for the purchase of vaccines against monkeypox. The MIR call leaves 200 vacancies for family doctors. An emergency situation is addressed, but not the underlying problem: the unattractive nature of these places.

In the field of companies, it should be noted that, according to Expansión, private insurance customers are dissatisfied with the massive use of the service. Between this and the unhappiness of both doctors and providers with the fees, it seems that significant changes are coming in this sector.

Biomedicine

Global health

International health policy

  • Monkeypox

o The European health agency asks governments to be prepared for vaccination against monkeypox (https://www.ft.com/content/11df80f5-32d5-4bb3-8215-420574f276c4)

o The monkeypox virus, what we know so far that alarms countries (https://www.ft.com/content/d951bd2b-0470-4d74-827d-0c06d9bf5056)

o Monkeypox, more than 180 cases outside Africa, countries prepare to vaccinate (https://www.lemonde.fr/planete/article/2022/05/25/variole-du-singe-plus-de- 180-cas-confirmes-hors-d-afrique-des-pays-se-preparent-a-vacciner_6127608_3244.html)

o A study published in The Lancet points to an antiviral as a possible treatment for monkeypox (https://www.eldiario.es/sociedad/estudio-publicado-the-lancet-senala-antiviral-posible-tratamiento-viruela- monkey_1_9018642.html)

  • COVID-19

o Lessons from Japan on dealing with covid, since this country had six waves and the number of cases and deaths per capita has been lower than other G7 countries, despite having an aging and highly concentrated population (https ://media.nature.com/original/magazine-assets/d41586-022-01385-9/d41586-022-01385-9.pdf)

o More than 1 in 5 COVID survivors may develop long covid in the United States (https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/24/health/long-covid-infections.html)

o Pfizer warns of constant waves of covid-19, while complacency grows (https://www.ft.com/content/8244af52-26ba-4676-961a-c57f1d4892e8)

o What justifies the zero-covid policy in China?, an analysis by Zhang Jun, director of the China Center for Economic Studies in Shanghai (https://www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/shanghai-lockdown-why-china -keeps-its-zero-covid-strategy-by-zhang-jun-2022-05)

o A study suggests that women are twice as likely to suffer from persistent covid (https://www.ft.com/content/ea2d58c5-ae62-442c-b721-364c95852209)

  • Other themes

o Health bursts into the spotlight at the return of the Davos Economic Forum, with the presence of Bill Gates, the CEO of Pfizer and the president of AstraZeneca, among others (https://www.plantadoce.com/entorno/la- health-breaks-in-as-protagonist-in-the-return-of-the-davos-economic-forum.html)

o Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus re-elected as WHO Director General (https://www.ft.com/content/75de7a67-f850-4fe2-8911-8f6237f38514)

o Oklahoma Governor signs law strictly banning abortion (https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/may/26/oklahoma-strictest-abortion-ban-law-us-governor)

National health policy (Spain)

  • Monkeypox

o At least six countries have detected cases of monkeypox in travelers from Spain (https://elpais.com/sociedad/2022-05-28/al-menos-seis-paises-han-detectado-casos-de- monkeypox-in-travelers-from-spain.html)

o 41% of monkeypox cases are in Spain (https://www.larazon.es/sociedad/20220523/6t2hw3xhhveq3e7oho5hnj3zxa.html)

o Spain will enter the European system for the purchase of the monkeypox vaccine (https://www.diariofarma.com/2022/05/25/espana-entrara-en-la-compra-centralizada-de-la -eu-to-deal-with-monkeypox)

  • COVID

o The cumulative incidence, down (728.2 cases in the last 14 days; there were 848 the previous Friday. Hospital occupancy due to covid: 5.6%; ICUs: 4.2%) (https://www.consalud .es/patients/special-coronavirus/covid-19-spain-coronavirus-data_115366_102.html)

  • Regulatory announcements

o New Framework Statute, at the table of the Advisory Council on June 2 (https://www.redaccionmedica.com/secciones/ministerio-sanidad/nuevo-estatuto-marco-y-10-puntos-mas-al-consejo- advisory-of-june-2-5764)

o A new draft of the Preliminary Draft Law is published, which modifies various regulations to consolidate the equity, universality and cohesion of the National Health System, after its approval in the Interterritorial Council of April 2022 (https://www.diariofarma .com/2022/04/06/el-cisns-da-luz-verde-a-la-ley-de-equidad), held in Toledo. In relation to the previous version of 11/15/2021, more requirements are introduced for agreement, incorporating the concept of “effective cost” previously established and reviewable by the Administration

  • Other themes

o The Ministry of Health marks November for the new palliative strategy (https://www.redaccionmedica.com/secciones/ministerio-sanidad/sanidad-marca-noviembre-para-activar-la-nueva-estrategia-de-paliativos- 6597)

o The public debt to suppliers amounts to 2,000 million (https://www.diariofarma.com/2022/05/23/la-deuda-publica-a-proveedores-sanitarios-asciende-a-2-000-millones)

o Warning from Brussels to Spain due to the “shortage” of health professionals and primary care financing (https://www.consalud.es/politica/toque-bruselas-espana-por-escasez-sanitarios-finacion-primaria_115145_102.html)

o Podemos takes the “deprivatization” of the SNS to Congress (https://www.redaccionmedica.com/secciones/parlamentarios/podemos-aprieta-al-psoe-llevando-al-congreso-la-desprivatizacion-del-sns-1224)

o The lack of family doctors worsens as the MIR call leaves 200 places vacant (https://elpais.com/sociedad/2022-05-24/la-falta-de-medicos-de-familia-se-agrava- la-convocatoria-de-mir-deja-200-plazas-vacantes.html), for which it is agreed to increase the number of MIR vacancies for non-EU people to fill the vacancies (https://www.elmundo.es/ciencia- y-salud/salud/2022/05/25/628e86d3e4d4d85f418b45e6.html

Companies

  • International News

o Pfizer intends to obtain approval in the USA for the covid vaccine for children under 5 years of age (https://www.ft.com/content/48c88652-502c-4b33-9866-589eeafcf302)

o Medtronic and DaVita announce the creation of a kidney health technology company (https://www.consalud.es/ecsalud/internacional/medtronic-davita-anuncian-creacion-empresa-tecnologia-salud-renal_115348_102.html)

o The USA will deploy the Bavarian Nordic monkeypox vaccine (https://www.consalud.es/ecsalud/internacional/eeuu-desplegara-vacuna-contra-viruela-mono-bavarian-nordic-entre-poblacion-vulnerable_115091_102. html)

o The IFPMA (global employers association of pharmaceutical manufacturers) proposes 10 measures to fight the next pandemic (https://www.diariofarma.com/2022/05/25/la-ifpma-propone-10-medidas-para-luchar- against-the-next-pandemic)

  • National News

o Grupo Juste, a Spanish pharmaceutical company that turns 100 (https://www.redaccionmedica.com/secciones/industria/una-farmaceutica-espanola-cumple-100-anos-7009)

o Esteve intends to double its turnover, reaching 1,000 million euros (https://cincodias.elpais.com/cincodias/2022/05/26/companias/1653591656_508050.html)

o Clients of private health insurance, disappointed by the mass use of the service (https://www.expansion.com/empresas/banca/2022/05/28/6290b63c468aebbe018b45d8.html)

o The private sector of assisted reproduction moves 500 million in 2021, 9% more than in 2020 (https://www.plantadoce.com/entorno/el-sector-privado-de-reproduccion-asistida-mueve-500-millones -in-2021-a-9-more-than-in-2020.html)

o FENIN registers a 27% decrease in investment in 2021 (https://www.actasanitaria.com/tecnologia/fenin-registra-descenso-27-en-inversion-tecnologia-sanitaria_2002610_102.html)

o Sanitas and the San Pablo CEU University sign an agreement for the training of health professionals (https://www.servimedia.es/noticias/sanitas-universidad-ceu-san-pablo-firman-acuerdo-para-formacion-profesionales- assistance-future/3406605)

o Malaga will have a new public hospital in 2023, after the agreement with the Pascual group (https://www.vidaeconomica.com/2022/05/hospital-malaga/)

 

 

 

 

 

7 days in healthcare (May 16th-22nd, 2022)

/in /by

 

Summary

From the point of view of biomedicine, there seems to be new evidence of the relationship between acute childhood hepatitis and COVID. Interesting articles on how COVID can affect the brain, generating a kind of “dementia epidemic” and what long covid is and how to treat it.

Regarding Global Health, possible alarming effects of a global food crisis resulting from the war in Ukraine and its consequences. Report on serious deficiencies of “assisted technologies” (basically, wheelchairs, glasses and hearing aids) in a large part of the world’s population. The shortage of covid vaccine production in African countries continues to be denounced.

As for international health policy, an article in The Economist takes the drama out of “monkey pox”, saying that it is nothing comparable to what covid represented. Catastrophe due to covid in North Korea, a country that did not take advantage of its total closure during the pandemic to favor the immunization of its population and the reinforcement of its health system. Also, very reluctant to accept foreign aid. Isolated dictatorship things. Interesting experiment in New Zealand on a generation without tobacco.

If we talk about national health policy (Spain), the Ministry of Health has issued a protocol on monkeypox, about which there are some interesting statements by López Acuña, who also takes the drama out of this epidemic. Approved in the Council of Ministers the new abortion law, destined, probably, not to solve anything and to generate artificial problems. The SEMFYC (association of primary care doctors) warns about the need for 10,000 primary care doctors, to cover the generational change.

In the field of companies, the initiative of the Government of Catalonia to create a commission to study the new location of the Hospital Clínic should be highlighted. Surely an avant-garde and innovative hospital does not fit well in the current old building. A true revolution in the hospital and urban world of Barcelona. The AESEG warns about the low price of certain basic medicines, which discourages their production.

Biomedicine

Global health

International health policy

  • Monkeypox

o Monkeypox spreads to several countries: after originating from a traveler from Nigeria, the disease has spread to the United States, Australia, Canada and 8 European countries. According to The Economist, there is nothing to worry about and it has nothing to do with the covid pandemic, which took the world unprepared, without vaccines or treatments (https://www.economist.com/the-economist-explains/2022 /05/20/monkeypox-is-popping-up-in-more-countries-how-worrying-is-this)

o What is Monkeypox, article in the New York Times (https://www.nytimes.com/article/what-is-monkeypox.html)

o We will see more cases of monkeypox, warns a British scientist (https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/may/21/we-will-see-more-cases-of-monkeypox-warn-british- scientists)

  • COVID-19

o Taiwan gradually renounces the “zero-covid” policy, assuming that the number of cases will increase (https://www.lemonde.fr/planete/article/2022/05/16/taiwan-renonce-peu -a-peu-a-politique-zero-covid_6126267_3244.html)

o Catastrophe in North Korea. The country was closed during the pandemic, but it was not used to immunize the population or strengthen the health system (https://www.economist.com/asia/2022/05/17/covid-19-is-spreading-like -wildfire-in-north-korea)

o Shanghai is going to open its commerce in stages (https://www.lemonde.fr/planete/article/2022/05/15/covid-19-shanghai-va-rouvrir-ses-commerces-par-etapes-apres- deux-mois-de-confinement_6126204_3244.html)

o How Australia saved thousands of lives from covid, in contrast to what happened in the United States (https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/15/world/australia/covid-deaths.html)

  • Other themes

o The policy on the possible annulment of the Roe v Wade judgment in the United States continues, important editorial in Science (https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adc9968)

o A generation without tobacco in New Zealand, prohibited for all those born since January 1, 2009. Malaysia and Denmark are also considering similar measures (https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140- 6736(22)00925-4/fulltext)

o The United States, Switzerland and Norway lead the world in spending on health per capita (https://www.plantadoce.com/entorno/estados-unidos-suiza-y-noruega-lideran-el-gasto-per-inhabitante- in-medical-care.html)

o The NHS needs access to medical data to save lives, interesting article in the Financial Times (https://www.ft.com/content/dc01b30f-472d-4da6-b694-28486383aeff)

o A report commissioned by the Minister for Health proposes that the legal smoking age in the UK be 21 (https://www.theguardian.com/society/2022/may/21/legal-smoking-age -in-england-could-be-raised-to-21-report)

National health policy

  • Monkeypox

o Protocol of the Ministry of Health against monkeypox (https://www.consalud.es/pacientes/protocolo-contra-viruela-mono-aislamiento-cuarentena-solo-confirmados-sopechosos_115004_102.html)

o Interesting statements by López Acuña: there is no reason for social alarm over monkeypox (https://www.elmundo.es/ciencia-y-salud/salud/2022/05/22/62890984e4d4d80e098b4591.html)

o Spain will buy thousands of vaccines for the monkeypox disease (https://elpais.com/sociedad/2022-05-19/espana-prepara-la-compra-de-miles-de-vacunas-frente-a -the-traditional-smallpox-to-deal-with-the-monkey-virus-outbreak.html)

  • COVID

o The cumulative incidence, on the rise: 848 points (https://www.consalud.es/pacientes/especial-coronavirus/covid-19-espana-notifica-58839-nuevos-casos-305-muertes-ia-sube-848 -points_114982_102.html)

  • Regulatory announcements

o The new abortion law approved by the Council of Ministers (https://www.diariomedico.com/medicina/ginecologia/politica/montero-las-mujeres-podran-abortar-en-el-hospital-publico-mas-cercano- your-address.html)

  • Other themes

o Spain, leader in the consumption of benzodiazepines for anxiety and insomnia (https://www.elmundo.es/ciencia-y-salud/salud/2022/05/15/627e8bf0fdddffa9638b458b.html)

o The National Health System (SNS) would need 10,000 family doctors for generational turnover, according to a study by the Spanish Society of Family and Community Medicine (SEMFYC) (https://www.plantadoce.com/entorno/el-sns-necesita-10000-medicos -of-family-more-to-guarantee-the-generational-handover.html)

o The strike of specialist doctors in Madrid, suspended after an agreement (https://www.diariomedico.com/medicina/profesion/madrid-medicos-desconvocan-la-huelga-con-la-promesa-de-2500-plazas- contest.html)

o Spain, last in mental health, there are only 2,800 psychologists in public health, only 344 in Primary Care (https://www.elespanol.com/invertia/observatorios/sanidad/20220522/espana-mental-invierte-europa -psychologists-public-health/672183163_0.html)

o Private healthcare works on a code of good practice: joint initiative of ATA (Association of Self-Employed) and ASPE (https://www.redaccionmedica.com/secciones/privada/la-sanidad-privada-espanola-trabajo-en- your-own-code-of-good-practices-4162)

Companies

  • International News

o Big Pharma pressures the G20 to prepare for the next pandemic (https://www.ft.com/content/ca71ee0e-9b4b-4c2e-b60b-bbd841415697)

o Monkeypox shoots up the stock of the only company that manufactures them: Bavarian Nordic (https://cincodias.elpais.com/cincodias/2022/05/20/companias/1653035794_646119.html)

  • National News

o Dependency insurance grows 71.4% and closes the first quarter with 132,000 users (https://www.plantadoce.com/entorno/el-seguro-de-dependencia-crece-un-714-y-cierra- the-first-quarter-with-132000-users.html)

o Catalonia constitutes the commission that will decide the location of the new Clinic Hospital (https://www.plantadoce.com/publico/cataluna-constitución-la-comision-que-decidira-el-emplazamiento-del-nuevo-hospital-clinic. html)

o Colgate-Palmolive breaks into the bid for Lácer (https://cincodias.elpais.com/cincodias/2022/05/19/companias/1652978299_749683.html)

o AESEG asks to raise the price of essential medicines to produce them (https://www.eleconomista.es/salud/noticias/11768114/05/22/El-generico-pide-subir-el-precio-de-los-farmacos -essential-to-produce-them.html)