Summary

The most impactful health news of the week included:

• Biomedicine: Changing guidelines on high blood pressure.
• Global health: Data control and sovereignty concerns lead African countries to reject agreements with the US.
• International health policy: One-third of Americans have cut spending or resorted to debt for healthcare.
• National health policy: The Council of Ministers approves the Royal Decree guaranteeing healthcare for undocumented migrants.
• Companies: The FDA proposes eliminating PK clinical trials (pharmacokinetic tests) to expedite the development of biosimilars.

Biomedicine

• Changing guidelines on high blood pressure. The trend is to lower the threshold for what is considered hypertension.
• Certain cancers may be less frequent among vegetarians: prostate, breast, pancreatic, etc. A study in four countries demonstrates a lower risk of cancer in those who abstain from eating meat.
• Breast cancer surgery can be less invasive without losing effectiveness. The study analyzed the evolution of axillary surgery in more than 17,300 breast cancer patients treated between 2010 and 2021 at 68 accredited centers across Europe.

Global Health

• Data control and sovereignty concerns are leading African countries to reject agreements with the US being designed under the increasingly criticized America First Global Health Strategy (AFGHS).
• The human consequences of Epic Fury. The health crisis in Iran and the surrounding Middle East is escalating rapidly, according to Hanan Balkhy, the WHO Regional Director for the Middle East.

International Health Policy

• One-third of Americans have cut back on healthcare spending or taken out loans. Many Americans are making sacrifices in the face of rising healthcare costs.
• UK-US agreement on drug prices. Ministers give NICE a role in approvals, despite reservations.

National Health Policy (Spain)

• The Council of Ministers approves the Royal Decree guaranteeing healthcare for undocumented migrants. It appears the measure was improvised, without assessing the economic impact or the potential pull factor. According to this law, any relative of immigrants can come to Spain and seek medical treatment. It would be important to analyze comparative law to see if this is the case in other European countries. The People’s Party (PP) opposes this Royal Decree.
• The Community of Madrid is the first autonomous community to support the creation of its own statute for physicians.

Companies

• International
  • The FDA proposes eliminating PK clinical trials (pharmacokinetic tests) to expedite the development of biosimilars.

• National
  • Dental visits are the biggest healthcare expense for Spanish families. According to the Spanish Consumers and Users Organization (OCU), households spend an average of €667 annually on dental expenses, making it the largest single healthcare expenditure in the country.

Biomedicine

• Changing guidelines on high blood pressure. The trend is to lower the threshold for what is considered hypertension. (https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/14/health/blood-pressure-guidelines-hypertension-dementia.html)
• The battle for supremacy in weight loss shifts from injections to pills. Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy tablet offers the Danish manufacturer the opportunity to compete with Lilly (https://www.ft.com/content/6e805306-5195-40d5-b1a2-fe2700d7721b)
• Certain cancers may be less common among vegetarians: prostate, breast, pancreatic, etc. A study conducted in four countries shows a lower risk of cancer in those who abstain from eating meat (https://www.lemonde.fr/planete/article/2026/03/11/prostate-sein-pancreas-certains-cancers-seraient-moins-frequents-chez-les-vegetariens_6670539_3244.html)
• Wegovy is associated with a higher risk of “eye stroke” than other anti-obesity drugs. An FDA adverse effects analysis reveals that the chances of developing ischemic optic neuropathy are five times higher with this drug than with Ozempic. All signs point to high doses (https://www.abc.es/salud/wegovy-asocia-mayor-riesgo-infarto-ocular-farmacos-20260310042620-nt.html)
• Breast cancer surgery can be less invasive without losing effectiveness. The study analyzed the evolution of axillary surgery in more than 17,300 breast cancer patients treated between 2010 and 2021 in 68 accredited units across Europe (https://www.elmundo.es/ciencia-y-salud/salud/2026/03/10/69b00b5621efa08e578b456e.html)
• The solution to fertility problems may lie in the brain. The RANK protein acts as a key mediator in cell-to-cell communication (https://www.elconfidencial.com/salud/2026-03-12/relacion-celulas-cerebro-fertilidad_43)

Global Health

• Global health in an era of US extraction, with the destruction of global health by 2025. The United States is targeting African countries with high-cost bilateral agreements. Extraction is a word Trump likes (https://www.bmj.com/content/392/bmj.s394?nbd_source=adestra&nbd=8fbb67008476fb2494c9dc673c1a59b833545ade97e59cd7efd9c117443308b8&uaa_id=8fbb67008476fb2494c9dc673c1a59b833545ade97e59cd7efd9c117443308b8&utm_campaign=This%20week%20in%20The%20BMJ%20-%20Fortnightly%20manual%20alert&utm_medium=email&utm_source=adestra)
• Iran: WHO calls For the protection of healthcare workers. Healthcare workers and facilities are under fire in the Middle East conflict, warn health leaders and charities. (https://www.bmj.com/content/392/bmj.s445?nbd_source=adestra&nbd=8fbb67008476fb2494c9dc673c1a59b833545ade97e59cd7efd9c117443308b8&uaa_id=8fbb67008476fb2494c9dc673c1a59b833545ade97e59cd7efd9c117443308b8&utm_campaign=This%20week%20in%20The%20BMJ%20-%20Fortnightly%20manual%20alert&utm_medium=email&utm_source=adestra)
• The human consequences of Epic Fury. The health crisis in Iran and the surrounding Middle East is escalating rapidly, according to Hanan Balkhy, the WHO Regional Director for the Middle East (https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(26)00497-6/fulltext).
• Peace, let it come quickly. War is bad for health; how can we avoid a war that is being chosen? (https://www.bmj.com/content/392/bmj.s480)
• Data control and sovereignty concerns are leading African countries to reject agreements with the US designed under the increasingly criticized American First Global Health Strategy (AFGHS) (https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(26)00509-X/fulltext)

International Health Policy

• USA
  • A new wave of disruptors is trying to control American healthcare. American healthcare is very expensive and generates significant user dissatisfaction. This has led many large companies, such as Google, IBM, Amazon, and others, to experience major failures in trying to “fix” the system. In these changing times, AI is looking to play a role in this regard, and the ChapGPT is playing an increasingly important part (https://www.economist.com/business/2026/03/10/a-new-wave-of-disrupters-takes-on-american-health-care)
  • Two states (Vermont and Indiana) stand out for their soaring hospital prices. Since 2000, hospital prices have risen 250%, double the rate of healthcare spending and triple the rate of inflation (https://www.economist.com/united-states/2026/03/12/two-very-different-states-take-aim-at-soaring-hospital-prices)
  • One-third of Americans have cut back on healthcare spending or taken out loans. Many Americans are making sacrifices in the face of rising healthcare costs (https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/12/health/health-costs-cutting-back.html)
  • The FDA opens the door to cigarettes with more flavors, such as mint, coffee, or tea, to attract more adults (https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/09/health/fda-e-cigarettes-flavors.html)
  • A Trump memo attacks the Cuban doctors program. The US government is trying to hinder the Cuban doctors program abroad (https://www.politico.com/news/2026/03/13/cuban-doctors-us-pressure-00827683)

• United Kingdom
  • New deficits in NHS funding. Many of the trusts are in deficit, meaning spending exceeds the budget (https://www.kingsfund.org.uk/insight-and-analysis/data-and-charts/nhs-trusts-deficit)
  • UK-USA agreement on drug prices. Ministers give NICE a role in approvals, despite reservations (https://www.bmj.com/content/392/bmj.s442?nbd_source=adestra&nbd=8fbb67008476fb2494c9dc673c1a59b833545ade97e59cd7efd9c117443308b8&uaa_id=8fbb67008476fb2494c9dc673c1a59b833545ade97e59cd7efd9c117443308b8&utm_campaign=This%20week%20in%20The%20BMJ%20-%20Fortnightly%20manual%20alert&utm_medium=email&utm_source=adestra)

• France
  • More than 20,000 people from over 65 people died from falls in 2024. Between 2019 and 2024, the number of deaths from falls rose by 18% (https://www.lemonde.fr/societe/article/2026/03/13/plus-de-20-000-personnes-de-plus-de-65-ans-sont-mortes-a-cause-d-une-chute-en-2024-un-phenomene-en-augmentation-et-encore-inexplique_6671008_3225.html)

• European Union
  • Fertility in the European Union: motherhood is being delayed until age 35 or older for the first child. The latest data on fertility and births in Europe, published by Eurostat, confirms that Spain is one of the countries with the fewest births in the last ten years. years(https://www.consalud.es/pacientes/fertilidad-en-la-union-europea-la-maternidad-se-retrasa-hasta-los-35-anos-o-mas-para-el-primer-hijo.html)

National Health Policy

• Central Government
  • The Council of Ministers approves the Royal Decree guaranteeing healthcare for undocumented migrants (https://www.elmundo.es/ciencia-y-salud/salud/2026/03/10/69afd778e9cf4a47378b45a8.html)
  • The Ministry of Health rules out an audit of the controversial MIR exam, but will allocate €10.2 million to its management and digitization (https://www.elconfidencial.com/salud/2026-03-10/10-2-millones-gestion-mir-ministerio-de-sanidad_4317899/)

• Regional Governments
  • The Canary Islands approves the 2026-2031 Health Plan with 49 priority areas (https://www.consalud.es/autonomias/canarias/canarias-aprueba-el-plan-de-salud-2026-2031.html)
  • The Parliament of Cantabria sets a maximum of 15 days for delivering the results of biopsies suspected of being cancerous (https://diariofarma.com/2026/03/12/el-parlamento-de-cataluna-exige-retirar-el-proyecto-de-ley-de-gestion-publica-por-invadir-competencias)
  • The initial project for the future Girona health campus has been selected (https://www.diariomedico.com/medicina/politica/seleccionado-proyecto-inicial-futuro-campus-salud-girona.html)
  • Asturian healthcare will subject the specialties with the longest waiting lists to an audit (https://www.elcomercio.es/asturias/sanidad-asturias-especialidades-listas-espera-auditoria-20260310201008-nt.html)
  • Galicia’s new strategy against rare diseases (https://gacetamedica.com/politica/enfermedades-raras-galicia-acceso-precoz/)

• Negotiations on the Framework Statute
  • The Community of Madrid, the first autonomous community to support the creation of its own statute for doctors (https://www.elmundo.es/ciencia-y-salud/salud/2026/03/12/69b2f4a2e4d4d8801f8b45b9.html)
  • Doctors deny the existence of the agreement defended by Mónica García and call her proposal “poor and ridiculous” (https://www.larazon.es/sociedad/medicos-niegan-que-exista-acuerdo-que-defiende-monica-garcia-califican-propuesta-pobre-ridicula_2026031369b414cfd489bf782e18fb37.html)

• Public Management Law
  • The Parliament of Catalonia demands the withdrawal of the Public Management Law (https://diariofarma.com/2026/03/12/el-parlamento-de-cataluna-exige-retirar-el-proyecto-de-ley-de-gestion-publica-por-invadir-competencias)
  • The Basque Nationalist Party (PNV) and Together for Catalonia (Junts) avoid supporting a motion on public management of the National Health System (SNS) proposed by the Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party (PSOE). (https://diariofarma.com/2026/03/08/pnv-y-junts-evitan-apoyar-una-mocion-sobre-gestion-publica-del-sns-del-psoe)

• Royal Decree on healthcare for undocumented immigrants
  • The PP opposes it. It warns that the measure is being taken without planning and in a context of overburdened public healthcare professionals (https://diariofarma.com/2026/03/10/criticas-del-pp-al-decreto-de-cobertura-universal-convierte-la-irregularidad-en-un-derecho)

• Study on oral health in Spain
  • White Paper on Oral Health from the General Council of Dentists. It analyzes the evolution over a quarter of a century: 2000-2025 (https://consejodentistas.es/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/2026.02.09-Libro-blanco-salud-oral-2025-1.pdf)

Companies

• International
  • The boom in counterfeit obesity drugs. Due to high prices, lack of insurance coverage, and the desire to lose weight, counterfeit medications are proliferating, generating health concerns. (https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(26)00461-7/fulltext)
  • Sales of the obesity drug Mounjaro catapult Lilly to the top spot as the world’s leading pharmaceutical company in revenue (https://www.elespanol.com/invertia/observatorios/sanidad/20260313/ventas-farmaco-obesidad-mounjaro-catapultan-eli-lilly-primera-pharma-mundial-ingresos/1003744166443_0.html)
  • The FDA is considering eliminating PK clinical trials (pharmacokinetic tests) to expedite the development of biosimilars (https://diariofarma.com/2026/03/09/la-fda-plantea-la-eliminacion-de-estudios-clinicos-pk-para-agilizar-el-desarrollo-de-biosimilares)

• National
  • New contract for Quirón in Madrid: management of the central laboratory for several areas (https://elpais.com/espana/madrid/2026-03-11/nuevo-contrato-para-quiron-en-madrid-la-empresa-se-dispone-a-gestionar-un-laboratorio-donde-cunde-el-temor-a-despidos.html)
  • Visiting the dentist is the biggest healthcare expense for Spanish families. According to the Consumers and Users Organization (OCU), households spend an average of €667 per year on dental expenses, making it the highest healthcare expenditure in the country. (https://www.gacetadesalud.com/pacientes/noticias/13808698/03/26/acudir-al-dentista-se-corona-como-el-mayor-gasto-sanitario-de-las-familias-espanolas.html)

Summary

The week’s most impactful health news stories were:

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

Biomedicine

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

Global Health

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

International Health Policy

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

National Health Policy (Spain)

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

Companies

• International
  • Pharmaceutical companies are building bridges to the patent precipice. Only 10% of the drug revenues of the top 20 firms will still have patent protection in a decade.

• National News
  • FENIN calls for institutional support to increase medical technology manufacturing in Spain. Fenin has presented the study ‘Medical Technology Manufacturers in Spain’, which offers a comprehensive overview of the sector’s contribution to the national economy.

Biomedicine

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

Global Health

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

International Health Policy

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

• France
  • The end-of-life bill has been approved by the Congress and returns to the Senate, along with the bill on palliative care (https://www.lemonde.fr/societe/article/2026/02/25/fin-de-vie-l-assemblee-nationale-approuve-la-proposition-de-loi-instaurant-un-droit-a-l-aide-a-mourir-le-texte-transmis-au-senat_6668257_3224.html)

• European Union
  • Europe wants to guarantee the diagnosis of rare diseases within 12 months. The European Parliament is finalizing an initiative to create a binding framework for these illnesses. The current average for a prognosis exceeds four years (https://elpais.com/sociedad/2026-02-28/diagnostico-en-12-meses-europa-quiere-garantizar-la-deteccion-temprana-de-las-enfermedades-raras.html)

National Health Policy

• Central Government
  • Public comment periods for the Draft Bills on Patient Participation and Public Management and Integrity of the National Health System. The deadline for both drafts is March 4, 2026 (https://www.sanidad.gob.es/normativa/audiencia/home.htm)

• Regional Governments
  • Andalusia creates specialist research categories for physicians and nurses. The Minister of Health, Antonio Sanz, highlights that “it is the first autonomous community to integrate clinical research into the heart of the healthcare system” (https://www.consalud.es/autonomias/andalucia/andalucia-crea-las-categorias-de-facultativo-y-enfermera-especialistas-clinicos-investigadores.html)
  • Valdecilla Hospital activates a unit for Rare Diseases. With funding from European and regional sources, the Rare Diseases Unit at Valdecilla Hospital will integrate 12 medical disciplines (https://diariofarma.com/2026/02/26/valdecilla-activa-en-marzo-su-nueva-unidad-de-ee-rr-en-la-que-realizara-2-000-atenciones-anuales)
  • Alfonso X University has set a date for admission of medical and nursing students in Oviedo. UAX sets the goal of “building a hub for job creation and talent retention” linked to the health sciences sector in Asturias (https://www.elcomercio.es/oviedo/universidad-alfonso-fecha-proceso-admision-estudiantes-medicina-20260226153026-nt.html)
  • The HUCA (Central University Hospital of Asturias) has interminable delays in dermatology; they postpone the review of an oncological lesion for a year (https://www.lne.es/asturias/2026/03/01/efectos-demoras-interminables-dermatologia-huca-127401441.html)

• Problems with the Framework Statute
  • Feijóo (PP) is open to considering a specific Statute for doctors; he has conveyed to physicians that he defends the need for them to have a framework for negotiation (https://www.elespanol.com/invertia/observatorios/sanidad/20260227/feijoo-pp-ofrece-valorar-estatuto-marco-exclusivo-medicos-hara-propuesta-proxima-semana/1003744147664_0.html)
  • Mónica García speaks out again against a specific statute for doctors. The Minister of Health, Mónica García, has stated that she sees no need for doctors to have their own statute because “their specificities fit within a common statute” (https://www.abc.es/espana/mnica-garca-estatuto-propio-mdicos-solo-servira-20260223135741-vi.html).

• Public Management Law
  • In its submissions to the Ministry, the FADSP (Federation of Associations for the Defense of Public Healthcare) states that the safeguards established in the Draft Law on Public Management to prevent the “privatization” of the National Health System (SNS) seem insufficient (https://cronicasanitaria.es/2026/02/27/fadsp-considera-que-la-ley-para-limitar-la-colaboracion-publico-privada-en-sanidad-no-garantiza-un-blindaje-suficiente/). Access to FADSP’s allegations: https://fadsp.es/alegaciones-fadsp-ley-sns/

Companies

• International
  • Gilead heats up biotechnology: buys Arcellx for €6.6 billion to strengthen its position in cancer treatment (https://cincodias.elpais.com/companias/2026-02-23/gilead-calienta-la-biotecnologia-compra-arcellx-por-6600-millones-para-reforzarse-en-los-tratamientos-de-cancer.html)
  • The Novo Nordisk Foundation supports quantum computing beyond Denmark (https://www.ft.com/content/8896a881-5246-4bfd-a989-8e6612026bcf)
  • Novo Nordisk’s stock price plummets after trials of its new obesity drug (https://www.vozpopuli.com/sanitatem/novo-nordisk-se-desploma-en-bolsa-tras-los-ensayos-de-su-nuevo-medicamento-contra-la-obesidad.html)
  • Why pharmaceutical products have not been affected by Trump’s tariffs, an analysis by David Cantarero (IDIVAL) (https://elglobalfarma.com/politica/por-que-productos-farmaceuticos-libran-arancel-trump/)
  • Pharmaceutical companies are buying bridges to the patent precipice. Only 10% of the pharmaceutical revenues of the top 20 companies will still be protected in a decade (https://cincodias.elpais.com/opinion/2026-02-25/las-farmaceuticas-compran-puentes-para-el-precipicio-de-las-patentes.html)

• National
  • FENIN calls for institutional support to increase medical technology manufacturing in Spain. Fenin has presented the study ‘Medical Technology Manufacturers in Spain’, which offers a comprehensive overview of the sector’s contribution to the national economy (https://www.diariomedico.com/medicina/empresas/fenin-reclama-apoyo-institucional-aumentar-fabricacion-tecnologia-sanitaria-espana.html). Access the original report: https://fenin.es/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/FENIN-Informe_Estudio-Fabricantes-TS-Espana-2025.pdf
  • Rovi increases R&D investment by 47% in 2025 (https://elglobalfarma.com/industria/rovi-incremento-inversion-id-2025/)
  • Almirall quadruples profits thanks to the surge in biological drugs (https://www.expansion.com/empresas/2026/02/23/699bf97e468aeb73618b459b.html)

Summary

The most impactful health news of the week included:

• Biomedicine: Obesity is linked to a 70% higher risk of serious infections.
• Global Health: African countries must take control of their health policies.
• International Health Policy: Trump revokes the greenhouse gas emissions assessment and intensifies the climate offensive.
• National Health Policy: The government approves a bill intended to curb public management of healthcare. A complete absurdity and a compendium of sectarianism.
• Business: Corporate health insurance becomes 10% more expensive, straining company budgets.

Biomedicine

• Obesity is linked to a 70% higher risk of serious infections, including influenza and pneumonia.
• The end of animals in medical experimentation? Both the US and UK governments are calling for an end to the use of animals in experimentation. But we must ask ourselves whether this approach is realistic and will not hinder research progress. The approach is based on New Approach Methodologies (NAMs). But until researchers find a model that allows them to model the entire human body, it will be difficult to do without animal experimentation.

Global Health

• African countries must take control of their health policies. Massive aid cuts are having a devastating short-term effect, but they can help build more resilient systems in the long term.
• Peru has had to recall thousands of cancer drugs due to contamination, interrupting cancer treatments. The Andean country has imported at least 118,000 vials of chemotherapy drugs that have ended up being discarded after failing quality tests since 2019, according to an investigation. One in four cancer patients has their treatment delayed due to drug shortages.

International Health Policy

• Trump revokes the greenhouse gas emissions assessment and deepens the climate offensive. The revocation of the hazard assessment approved this Thursday by US President Donald Trump, issued in 2009 establishing that six greenhouse gases are harmful, is the latest in a series of measures by the Republican that run counter to efforts to curb climate change.
• An important article in The Lancet by a group of prestigious academics analyzes the aspirations and implementation of the 10-year Health Plan for NHS England. The plan, published in July 2025, contains a series of policies, ambitions, and objectives. A chapter on implementation is expected.

National Health Policy (Spain)

• The new law with which the government wants to curb private management of public healthcare, approved last Tuesday by the Council of Ministers, aims to limit forms of private participation in the public service. The text explicitly prohibits models of construction concessions with subsequent management of the hospital. The draft bill has been made public, giving a deadline of March 4th for submitting contributions to the Ministry. The text is a complete anti-European absurdity, with a ridiculous “scientific” approach in the preamble, a compendium of sectarianism, and harmful to the public healthcare sector. Its only redeeming quality is that it will never be approved, as that is not the intention; rather, it is to generate propaganda by publishing draft bills for which the government lacks a majority and, incidentally, to wage a political battle within “Más Madrid.”
• Thousands of people demonstrated in Madrid against Ayuso’s healthcare policy. The demonstrators, called by unions and neighborhood associations on February 9th, demanded that the regional government halt the privatization of services, chanting “Either you have the checkbook or you’re going to the other side.”
• The Community of Madrid has forgiven 71 million euros to private companies after they assumed responsibility for treating its patients. An internal document from the Ayuso government confirms that the public healthcare system loses millions every year by not billing private hospitals for many of the treatments it provides for its patients.
• Castilla-La Mancha launches the H3.0 health plan with an emphasis on data management. It is a new healthcare model committed to integrating AI, robotics, data analytics, and precision and genomic medicine.
• Some 5,000 doctors in Madrid are demanding the resignation of Mónica García and a specific Framework Statute for their profession. The demonstration on February 14th is a prelude to the five-day strike planned for next week, the first of five strikes scheduled until July. Whatever it may be called, doctors, whose doctor-patient relationship is the core of any healthcare system, need a distinct dialogue. Experience over the years has shown that this dialogue is lost amidst a multifaceted union representation that neither understands nor wants to understand doctors’ positions. The Ministry of Health is responsible for fueling this conflict with its intransigent stance.
• The government has signed an agreement establishing a 21% profit margin for pharmacies (6% for distribution), to be reviewed every two years. Royal Decree 90/2026 on the financing and pricing of healthcare products introduces significant changes to their funding. The final text sets a 21% margin for pharmacies (6% for distribution) and strengthens economic control. It also establishes a review schedule by group for products already on the market.

Companies

• International
  • Novo Nordisk intensifies its battle against Lilly by launching Wegovy in vials. Novo Nordisk will begin marketing Wegovy, its flagship drug, in vials, abandoning the exclusivity of the plastic injection pens it has used until now. This will represent a key strategic shift in its fight for dominance in the weight-loss drug market.

• National
  • Corporate health insurance becomes 10% more expensive, putting pressure on company budgets. Corporate spending on health will remain around 9% in 2026.

Biomedicine

• The end of animals in medical experimentation? Both the US and UK governments are calling for an end to the use of animals in experimentation. But we must ask ourselves whether this approach is realistic and will not hinder the progress of research. The approach is based on New Approach Methodologies (NAMs). But until researchers find a model that allows them to model the entire human body, it will be difficult to do without animal experimentation (https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(26)00298-9/abstract).
• Obesity is linked to a 70% higher risk of serious infections, including influenza and pneumonia (https://www.ft.com/content/b6f8a203-c2e5-4e34-bec8-3e0111b37e16). Access the original Lancet study: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(25)02474-2/fulltext
• 2-3 cups of coffee a day are linked to a lower risk of Alzheimer’s, but not if it’s decaffeinated. This conclusion was reached after following 132,000 people for 40 years (https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/09/health/coffee-tea-dementia-risk.html). Access the original JAMA article: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/article-abstract/2844764?guestAcces%5b…%5dferral&utm_campaign=ftm_links&utm_content=tfl&utm_term=020926
• The shortcomings of the ChapGPT test for medical diagnosis (https://www.lemonde.fr/pixels/article/2026/02/09/les-failles-de-chatgpt-pour-l-autodiagnostic-medical-revelees-par-une-etude_6666026_4408996.html). Access the original article: https://cdn.openai.com/pdf/2cb29276-68cd-4ec6-a5f4-c01c5e7a36e9/OpenAI-AI-as-a-Healthcare-Ally-Jan-2026.pdf

Global Health

• African countries must take control of their health policies. Massive aid cuts are having a devastating short-term effect, but can help build more resilient systems in the long run (https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-026-00381-7)
• Peru has had to recall thousands of cancer drugs due to contamination, disrupting cancer treatments. The Andean country has imported at least 118,000 vials of chemotherapy drugs that have ended up being discarded after failing quality tests since 2019, according to an investigation. One in four cancer patients experiences delays in treatment due to drug shortages (https://elpais.com/planeta-futuro/2026-02-12/peru-retira-miles-de-medicamentos-importados-contra-el-cancer-por-estar-contaminados-interrumpiendo-tratamientos-vitales.html)

International Health Policy

• USA
  • Trump revokes greenhouse gas hazard assessment and deepens climate offensive. The revocation of the hazard assessment approved this Thursday by US President Donald Trump, issued in 2009 establishing that six greenhouse gases are harmful, is the latest in a series of measures by the Republican that run counter to efforts to curb climate change. (https://www.elindependiente.com/economia/2026/02/13/trump-revoca-el-dictamen-de-peligrosidad-de-los-gases-de-efecto-invernadero-y-profundiza-su-ofensiva-climatica/)
  • The Trump Administration withdraws $600 million in healthcare funding from four Democratic states: California, Colorado, Illinois, and Minnesota (https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/09/health/trump-public-health-cuts-california.html)

• China
  • Drug use in China will double by 2030, while it stabilizes in the USA, Europe, and Japan. A new report from IQVIA highlights that the drugs that will contribute most to increased spending will be those for oncology, immunology, diabetes, and obesity (https://elglobalfarma.com/industria/medicamentos-china-duplicara-2030-europa-eeuu-japon-estabiliza/)

• United Kingdom
  • An important article in The Lancet by a group of prestigious academics analyzes the aspirations and implementation of the 10-year Health Plan for NHS England. The plan, published in July 2025, contains a series of policies, ambitions, and objectives. A chapter on implementation is expected (https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(26)00035-8/abstract)
  • Millions of women in the UK have access to only one IVF cycle through the NHS. Health authorities continue to cut availability, despite official policies (https://www.ft.com/content/cd560417-8e6b-40fc-b23c-e305fe9fb753)

• France
  • French people exposed to worrying levels of cadmium, lead, and aluminum through food, warns the French Agency for Health Safety (https://www.lemonde.fr/sante/article/2026/02/12/cadmium-plomb-aluminium-les-francais-exposes-a-des-niveaux-preoccupants-via-l-alimentation-alertent-les-autorites-de-sante_6666416_1651302.html)

• India
  • A patient-centered health system for India. The Indian health system is undergoing a shift towards universal coverage, a crucial component for raising the country’s development status by 2047. The Lancet Commission has made many proposals (https://www.thelancet.com/commissions-do/india-citizen-health)

National Health Policy

• Central Government Initiatives
  • The new law with which the government wants to curb private management in public healthcare, approved last Tuesday by the Council of Ministers, aims to limit forms of private participation in the public service. The text explicitly prohibits models of construction concessions with subsequent hospital management. The draft text has been made public, giving a deadline of March 4th for submitting contributions to the Ministry. The general impression is that the text will not be approved and that it is part of a policy of approving propaganda texts that then never come into effect because they are not passed (https://www.elconfidencial.com/salud/2026-02-10/nueva-ley-frenar-la-gestion-privada-en-la-sanidad-publica_4300485/)
  • Brussels questions the government’s new anti-smoking law. The European Commission and the CNMC warn the Ministry of Health of legal risks, lack of proportionality, and potential distortions of the internal market (https://www.larazon.es/sociedad/bruselas-cuestiona-nueva-ley-antitabaco-monica-garcia_20260210698a83f79243cc133c3e799f.html)
  • Up to seven health initiatives hope to pass Congress, including the law to limit public-private partnerships, the tobacco law, the framework statute, the medicines law, and the alcohol law (https://www.consalud.es/politica/hasta-siete-iniciativas-sanitarias-aspiran-a-superar-el-complejo-liston-del-congreso.html)

• Regional governments
  • A report links the precarious state of Emergency Departments in Catalonia with hospital mortality. The Catalan Audit Office and unions denounce the long waiting times and lack of resources in the region’s emergency rooms (https://www.vozpopuli.com/espana/cataluna/un-informe-vincula-la-precariedad-en-las-urgencias-de-cataluna-con-la-mortalidad-hospitalaria.html)
  • The map of the Catalan healthcare system is presented, prioritizing proximity. The new model, although reducing the number of management areas from 43 to 30, promises to “adapt to the specific characteristics of each territory.” (https://elpais.com/espana/catalunya/2026-02-10/salud-presenta-el-mapa-del-sistema-sanitario-catalan-con-la-creacion-de-30-areas-integradas.html)
  • Thousands of people demonstrate in Madrid against Ayuso’s healthcare policy. The protesters, called together by unions and neighborhood associations, are demanding that the regional government halt the privatization of services, chanting “either you have a checkbook or you’re going to the other side” (https://elpais.com/espana/madrid/2026-02-08/miles-de-personas-se-manifiestan-en-madrid-contra-la-politica-sanitaria-de-ayuso.html)
  • The Community of Madrid has forgiven 71 million euros to private companies after they assumed responsibility for and treated its patients. An internal document from the Ayuso government confirms that the public health system loses millions every year by not billing private hospitals for many of the treatments it provides for its patients. (https://www.eldiario.es/sociedad/comunidad-madrid-perdonado-71-millones-quiron-ribera-salud-asumir-tratar-pacientes_1_12899576.html)
  • Castilla-La Mancha launches the H3.0 health plan with an emphasis on data management. It is a new healthcare model committed to integrating AI, robotics, data analytics, and precision and genomic medicine. (https://www.diariomedico.com/medicina/politica/castilla-mancha-pone-marcha-plan-salud-h30-foco-gestion-datos.html)
  • Cantabria signs improvements with doctors. Its objective is to attract and retain medical professionals, including resident physicians, in the regional health service. (https://www.diariomedico.com/medicina/politica/cantabria-buruaga-firma-medicos-mejoras-supeditadas-presupuestos.html)

• Problems with the Framework Statute
  • Some 5,000 doctors in Madrid are demanding the resignation of Mónica García and their own Framework Statute. The demonstration is a prelude to the five-day strike planned for next week, the first of five planned until July (https://elpais.com/sociedad/2026-02-14/unos-5000-medicos-piden-en-madrid-la-dimision-de-monica-garcia-y-un-estatuto-marco-propio.html)

• Patient Organizations Law
  • Patient associations disagree on the new law: POP is against it, while the Foro is in favor. The Platform of Patient Organizations (POP) is calling for the correction of Article 2 of the regulations, as it leaves the concept of “patient association” too broad (https://www.elespanol.com/invertia/observatorios/sanidad/20260211/desacuerdo-organizaciones-pacientes-nueva-ley-no-soluciona-problema-viene-corregir/1003744125483_0.html)

• Pharmacy
  • The government signs a 21% margin for pharmacies (6% for distributors), to be reviewed every two years. Royal Decree 90/2026 on the financing and pricing of healthcare products introduces significant changes to their financing. The final text sets a 21% margin for pharmacies (6% for distributors) and strengthens economic control. It also establishes a review schedule by product group for products already on the market. (https://diariofarma.com/2026/02/12/el-gobierno-fija-en-el-21-el-margen-de-los-ppss-en-farmacia-se-revisara-cada-dos-anos)

Companies

• International
  • Novo Nordisk intensifies its battle against Lilly by launching Wegovy in vials. Novo Nordisk will begin marketing Wegovy, its flagship drug, in vials, abandoning the exclusivity of the plastic injection pens it has used until now. This will represent a key strategic shift in its fight for dominance in the weight-loss drug market. (https://www.expansion.com/empresas/2026/02/12/698dc8eee5fdea0b138b4727.html)
  • AstraZeneca expects to earn €8.597 billion in 2025, a 54.3% increase, and raises its annual dividend (https://www.elespanol.com/invertia/observatorios/sanidad/20260210/astrazeneca-gana-millones-euros-eleva-dividendo-anual/1003744124842_0.html)

• National
  • Corporate health insurance becomes 10% more expensive, putting pressure on company budgets. Corporate spending on healthcare will remain around 9% in 2026. Prevention and claims management are key to maintaining profits (https://cincodias.elpais.com/extras/ciencia-salud/2026-02-14/el-seguro-medico-corporativo-se-encarece-un-10-y-tensiona-los-presupuestos-de-las-empresas.html)
  • Roche Diagnostics is considering layoffs of up to 50 people in Sant Cugat. The Swiss pharmaceutical company Roche has filed for workforce reductions at Roche Diagnostics, its subsidiary specializing in diagnostics, whose Spanish headquarters are located in Sant Cugat del Vallés (Barcelona) (https://www.expansion.com/catalunya/2026/02/13/698f7e45e5fdea4e028b45c4.html)
  • Abbott is considering expanding its plant in Granada due to increased demand in nutrition. The multinational medical technology company exports from its factory in Andalusia to 65 countries. (https://cincodias.elpais.com/extras/ciencia-salud/2026-02-13/abbott-estudia-la-ampliacion-de-su-planta-de-granada-por-la-mayor-demanda-en-nutricion.html)

Summary

The week’s most impactful health news stories were:

• Biomedicine: AlphaGenome, a Google AI, predicts the impact of DNA variations.
• Global Health: The humanitarian situation in Yemen will worsen in 2026.
• International Health Policy: Following donations, the Trump Administration rescinds the order requiring more staff in nursing homes.
• National Health Policy: The Ministry of Health signs the Framework Statute agreement with unions, but without the support of doctors.
• Business: According to Elon Musk, there will be no nursing homes in the future; he claims his robots will be able to protect and care for the elderly.

Biomedicine

• AlphaGenome, a Google AI, predicts the impact of DNA variations. This tool could be used to obtain more information about genetic diseases, improve genetic testing, and contribute to the development of new treatments.
• Genes control longevity, regardless of how healthy a lifestyle is. Each person’s life expectancy potential is written in their genes, according to a new study.
• AI improves mammogram readings: it detects more tumors, especially the most aggressive ones, and reduces the number of missed ones. A Swedish clinical trial with more than 100,000 women shows that AI in mammogram screening detects more relevant cancers without increasing false positives.

Global Health

• The humanitarian situation in Yemen will worsen in 2026. An 11-year-long civil war will contribute to the spread of infectious diseases, malnutrition, and maternal mortality.
• How to eat well within Earth’s limits. The impact of new recommendations from RFK Jr., which call for increased protein, fruit, and vegetable consumption, is discussed.

International Health Policy

• Following donations, the Trump Administration rescinds the order requiring more staff at nursing homes. According to the New York Times, executives from these companies met with Trump, made a significant donation, and the project was withdrawn.
• China is changing the rules in biotech. For over 100 years, the USA was the undisputed leader in biomedical research and innovation. China’s major advances put the USA at risk of losing that position.
• According to the British Prime Minister, the drop in vaccinations in the UK is a “national disgrace.” The vaccination strategy in England is failing.
• How politics destroyed a model healthcare system in Colombia. For the last two decades, Colombia’s healthcare system was seen as an example for the rest of Latin America, both by the WHO and the World Bank. None of that changed President Petro’s mind, and he is trying to impose a radical change.

National Health Policy (Spain)

• The Ministry of Health signs the agreement on the Framework Statute with the unions, but without the support of the doctors. Logically, in any healthcare system, doctors are not just another part. They are the key players most closely related to the quality of care. Their lack of agreement is not something that can be disregarded; rather, it invalidates any agreement. The doctors are prepared to continue defending their position through parliamentary channels.
• A book by FUNCAS challenges the entrenched myths (or myths) about the Spanish public healthcare system. Whether we have the best healthcare system in the world, whether there is a shortage of doctors in Spain, or whether there is truly a shortage of 100,000 nurses, are among the topics analyzed. Among other things, it discusses whether we have the best or one of the best healthcare systems in the world. We do now have some health outcomes that can be correlated with the activity of the healthcare system. In fact, Spain ranked 9th among all countries in the world in the HAQ index (which measures clinically avoidable mortality) in 2022, with only eight countries ahead of it, all of them smaller (Switzerland, Sweden, Norway, Canada, the Netherlands, Australia, Iceland, and Ireland). Now, even if we were number one in health outcomes, that wouldn’t authorize us to say we have the best healthcare system in the world. It’s important to remember that the purpose of healthcare systems isn’t just to “save lives.” They have other valuable functions, difficult to reflect in rankings: reducing patient disability, alleviating pain, making illnesses more bearable, resolving uncertainty, and decreasing physical and emotional distress. These systems are justified by the fulfillment of their specific goals: to care, prevent, rehabilitate, and reassure.
• Spain already has 40 CAR-T centers, reflecting the expansion of advanced therapies. The Ministry has published a report that takes stock of treatment with Advanced Therapies in 2025, with five new centers and 2,742 applications processed since 2019.

Companies

• International
  • According to Elon Musk, there will be no nursing homes in the future; he claims his robots will be able to protect and care for the elderly. He proposes his humanoid robots as a solution to the shortage of caregivers and the high cost of elder care.
  • The historic trade agreement between the US and India will boost pharmaceutical trade. The pact will gradually eliminate Indian tariffs on European medicines and seeks to strengthen supply chains in a context of geopolitical tensions.

• National
  • GSK, Sanofi, and MSD are the companies receiving the most funding from the $1.7 billion mega-contract for vaccines.

Biomedicine

• Dr. William Foege, a key figure in the global eradication of smallpox, has died. He was director of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the late 1970s and early 1980s (https://www.elmundo.es/ciencia-y-salud/salud/2026/01/26/697716f8fc6c8310558b4572.html)
• AlphaGenome, a Google AI, predicts the impact of variations in DNA. This tool could be used to obtain more information about genetic diseases, improve genetic testing, and contribute to the development of new treatments (https://www.diariomedico.com/medicina/genetica/alphagenome-ia-google-predice-impacto-variaciones-adn.html). Original article in the journal Nature: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-025-10014-0
• The surprisingly good results of just a little exercise. Exercise snacks and other forms of daily movement may help reduce the risk of death from heart disease (https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-026-00237-0)
• Scientists link 22 genes to common viral risks. Scientists have identified these genes, which explain how many people are at risk of life-threatening illnesses (https://www.ft.com/content/815dd3d9-f83b-448d-af52-ca6da6c9cd03)
• Ultrasound is being used to treat treatment-resistant depression. Deep brain stimulation could improve severe depression (https://www.lemonde.fr/sciences/article/2026/01/28/les-ultrasons-a-l-assaut-des-depressions-resistantes_6664406_1650684.html)
• Genes control longevity, regardless of how healthy a lifestyle is. Your lifespan potential is written in your genes, according to a new study (https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/29/health/longevity-lifespan-age-genes.html). Access the original article in Science: https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adz1187
• Mariano Barbacid cures pancreatic tumors in rats with a combination of three drugs. The Spanish researcher estimates that the first human trials will begin in three years and will require an investment of 30 million euros (https://www.abc.es/salud/enfermedades/mariano-barbacid-consigue-curar-tumores-pancreas-animales-20260127135426-nt.html)
• AI improves mammogram readings: it detects more tumors, especially the most aggressive ones, and reduces those that went unnoticed. A Swedish clinical trial with more than 100,000 women shows that AI in mammographic screening detects more relevant cancers and reduces interval tumors by 12% without increasing false positives (https://www.elmundo.es/ciencia-y-salud/salud/2026/01/30/697b9345e4d4d8fb578b458d.html)

Global Health

• The BMJ’s call: hospitals should be sanctuaries, not military targets (https://www.bmj.com/content/392/bmj.s115?nbd_source=adestra&nbd=8fbb67008476fb2494c9dc673c1a59b833545ade97e59cd7efd9c117443308b8&uaa_id=8fbb67008476fb2494c9dc673c1a59b833545ade97e59cd7efd9c117443308b8&utm_campaign=This%20week%20in%20The%20BMJ%20-%20Fortnightly%20manual%20alert&utm_medium=email&utm_source=adestra)
• Infections are rampant in Sudan’s fields (https://www.bmj.com/content/392/bmj.s87?nbd_source=adestra&nbd=8fbb67008476fb2494c9dc673c1a59b833545ade97e59cd7efd9c117443308b8&uaa_id=8fbb67008476fb2494c9dc673c1a59b833545ade97e59cd7efd9c117443308b8&utm_campaign=This%20week%20in%20The%20BMJ%20-%20Fortnightly%20manual%20alert&utm_medium=email&utm_source=adestra)
• The humanitarian situation in Yemen will worsen in 2026. A civil war The fact that this pandemic has already lasted 11 years will contribute to the proliferation of infectious diseases, malnutrition, and maternal mortality (https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(26)00196-0/fulltext)
• How to eat well and within Earth’s limits. The impact of RFK Jr.’s new recommendations, which call for increased protein, fruit, and vegetable consumption, is being discussed (https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-026-00236-1)
• The number of people living in extreme heat by 2050 will double if temperatures rise by 2°C. Scientists believe that 41% of the population will experience these temperatures, with no part of the world immune (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jan/26/number-of-people-living-in-extreme-heat-to-double-by-2050-if-2c-rise-occurs-study-finds)

International Health Policy

• USA
  • American medical groups will go to court to stop RFK Jr.’s vaccine changes. A coalition of doctors and public health advocacy groups will file a legal motion to halt the changes to the vaccination schedule. From RFK, Jr. (https://www.bmj.com/content/392/bmj.s145?nbd_source=adestra&nbd=8fbb67008476fb2494c9dc673c1a59b833545ade97e59cd7efd9c117443308b8&uaa_id=8fbb67008476fb2494c9dc673c1a59b833545ade97e59cd7efd9c117443308b8&utm_campaign=This%20week%20in%20The%20BMJ%20-%20Fortnightly%20manual%20alert&utm_medium=email&utm_source=adestra)
  • The United States says it will soon leave the WHO and that it will not pay the outstanding dues (https://www.elespanol.com/ciencia/salud/20260123/eeuu-anuncia-salida-efectiva-organizacion-mundial-salud-oms-insiste-no-pagara-cuotas-pendientes/1003744100610_0.html)
  • Trump’s proposals lead to Medicare austerity, offering an increase of less than 1%, which does not satisfy the hopes of insurers (https://www.politico.com/news/2026/01/28/trump-proposal-signals-medicare-austerity-00751365)
  • After donations, the Trump Administration revokes the order that required more staff in nursing homes. According to the New York Times, executives from those companies met with Trump, made a significant donation, and the project was withdrawn (https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/27/us/politics/after-donations-trump-administration-revoked-rule-requiring-more-nursing-home-staff.html)
  • The psychedelic revolution that never happened. Although RFK, Jr. said at the time that he was going to promote them for mental disorders, that push never materialized (https://www.politico.com/news/2026/01/28/rfk-psychedelics-medicine-veterans-mdma-ptsd-00750414)

• China
  • China is changing the rules in biotech. For over 100 years, the USA was the undisputed leader in biomedical research and innovation. China’s major advances put the US at risk of losing that position (https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.aef7757)
• India
  • India alerts over a deadly Nipah outbreak as other countries tighten controls. Indian health authorities are working against the clock to contain a new cluster of the Nipah virus detected in West Bengal, in the east of the country, after five infections were confirmed and around one hundred people were preventively isolated. (https://www.elmundo.es/ciencia-y-salud/salud/2026/01/26/69778d53e85eceda378b459e-video.html)

• United Kingdom
  • Home births: Several trusts have to urgently review their services after the death of a mother and baby (https://www.bmj.com/content/392/bmj.s137?nbd_source=adestra&nbd=8fbb67008476fb2494c9dc673c1a59b833545ade97e59cd7efd9c117443308b8&uaa_id=8fbb67008476fb2494c9dc673c1a59b833545ade97e59cd7efd9c117443308b8&utm_campaign=This%20week%20in%20The%20BMJ%20-%20Fortnightly%20manual%20alert&utm_medium=email&utm_source=adestra)
  • According to the Prime Minister, the drop in vaccinations in the UK is a “national disgrace.” The vaccination strategy in England is slowing down (https://www.bmj.com/content/392/bmj.s139?nbd_source=adestra&nbd=8fbb67008476fb2494c9dc673c1a59b833545ade97e59cd7efd9c117443308b8&uaa_id=8fbb67008476fb2494c9dc673c1a59b833545ade97e59cd7efd9c117443308b8&utm_campaign=This%20week%20in%20The%20BMJ%20-%20Fortnightly%20manual%20alert&utm_medium=email&utm_source=adestra)

• France
  • The Senate rejects The law on end-of-life issues is rejected and sent back to Congress (https://www.lemonde.fr/societe/article/2026/01/28/fin-de-vie-le-senat-rejette-la-loi-sur-l-aide-a-mourir-renvoyee-a-l-assemblee_6664474_3225.html)
  • The tense relations between liberal doctors and the Government. Several demonstrations against the regulation of liberal practice (https://www.lemonde.fr/idees/article/2026/01/27/entre-les-medecins-liberaux-et-l-etat-une-relation-sous-tension-au-risque-de-l-immobilisme_6664316_3232.html)
  • Medical deserts: the government willing to facilitate teleconsultations, currently limited to 20% (https://www.lemonde.fr/societe/article/2026/01/26/deserts-medicaux-le-gouvernement-desserre-un-peu-la-vis-sur-la-teleconsultation_6664220_3224.html)

• Colombia
  • How politics destroyed a healthcare system model. For the past two decades, Colombia’s healthcare system was seen as a model for the rest of Latin America, both by the WHO and the World Bank. None of this changed President Petro’s mind, and he is trying to impose a change. radical(https://www.bmj.com/content/392/bmj.s76?nbd_source=adestra&nbd=8fbb67008 476fb2494c9dc673c1a59b833545ade97e59cd7efd9c117443308b8&uaa_id=8fbb67008476fb249 4c9dc673c1a59b833545ade97e59cd7efd9c117443308b8&utm_campaign=This%20week%20in%20The%20BMJ%20-%20Fortnightly%20manual%20alert&utm_medium=email&utm_source=adestra)

• WHO
  • WHO reduces alert for Nipah virus and considers its spread outside of India unlikely (https://www.consalud.es/pacientes/la-oms-reduce-la-alerta-por-el-virus-nipah-y-considera-poco-probable-su-propagacion-fuera-de-la-india.html)

National Health Policy

• Central Government Initiatives
  • The Health Data Space is born, a “step forward” in the transformation of the National Health System. The Minister of Health, Mónica García, closed the 1st National Meeting on Data Spaces, where the creation of the National Health Data Space (ENDS) was announced (https://www.consalud.es/politica/ministerio-sanidad/nace-el-espacio-nacional-de-datos-de-salud-un-paso-adelante-en-la-transformacion-del-sns.html)
  • The State Consortium for Advanced Therapies will have its administrative headquarters in Majadahonda and its scientific headquarters in Barcelona (https://www.diariomedico.com/medicina/politica/consorcio-estatal-terapias-avanzadas-tendra-sede-administrativa-majadahonda-cientifica-barcelona.html)
  • The Veo Plan has already received 54,000 applications since its implementation https://www.consalud.es/politica/ministerio-sanidad/el-plan-veo-ha-recibido-mas-de-54000-solicitudes-desde-su-implementacion.html)

• Initiatives of the autonomous communities
  • The Galician Health Service (SERGAS) will integrate AI for the massive analysis of 1.8 million clinical images. Galicia promotes the early detection of diseases such as cancer and diabetes through the deployment of intelligent algorithms, the complete digitization of operating rooms, and an electronic health record accessible to all professionals (https://gacetamedica.com/politica/galicia-inteligencia-artificial-imagenes-sergas/)
  • The second phase of the Xenoma Galicia project begins, with 5,000 more tests (https://www.redaccionmedica.com/autonomias/galicia/comienza-la-segunda-fase-del-proyecto-xenoma-galicia-con-5-000-pruebas-mas-3482)
  • Madrid denounces the “irregular” assignment of the scientific direction of the CERTERA project to Catalonia (https://www.consalud.es/autonomias/c-madrid/madrid-denuncia-irregularidades-en-la-asignado-a-cataluna-de-la-direccion-cientifica-del-certera.html)
  • Healthcare The Basque Health Service admits it mistakenly administered expired vaccines to 253 people, mostly babies (https://elpais.com/sociedad/2026-01-27/la-sanidad-vasca-administra-por-error-vacunas-caducadas-a-253-personas-la-mayoria-bebes.html)
  • La Rioja strengthens research with €12.8 million (https://www.consalud.es/autonomias/la-rioja/la-rioja-reforzara-la-investigacion-y-la-innovacion-sanitaria-con-una-inversion-de-hasta-1286-millones-de-euros.html)

• Framework Statute
  • Health Ministry signs agreement with unions on the Framework Statute, but without the support of doctors (https://elpais.com/sociedad/2026-01-26/sanidad-firma-un-acuerdo-para-el-nuevo-estatuto-marco-sin-el-apoyo-de-los-sindicatos-medicos.html)
  • Doctors aim to stop the Framework Statute and will take legal action in the European Parliament (https://www.elespanol.com/invertia/observatorios/sanidad/20260130/medicos-aspiran-frenar-estatuto-marco-cortes-emprenderan-acciones-legales-parlamento-europeo/1003744109202_0.html)
  • Vox takes the demand for a Framework Statute to Congress, the Senate, and the Autonomous Communities (https://www.consalud.es/politica/vox-lleva-la-demanda-de-un-estatuto-medico-hasta-el-congreso-senado-y-ccaa.html)

• FUNCAS
  • A book by FUNCAS questions the (or not) deeply rooted myths about the Spanish public healthcare system. Whether we have the best healthcare system in the world, whether there is a shortage of doctors in Spain, or whether there really is a shortage of 100,000 nurses, are among the topics analyzed (https://diariofarma.com/2026/01/28/un-libro-de-funcas-cuestiona-bulos-o-no-arraigados-sobre-la-sanidad-publica-espanola)

• CAR T-cell therapy centers
  • Spain now has 40 CAR T-cell therapy centers, reflecting the expansion of advanced therapies. The Ministry has published a report taking stock of Advanced Therapies treatment in 2025, with five new centers and 2,742 applications processed since 2019 (https://gacetamedica.com/politica/40-centros-car-t-terapias-avanzadas/)

• Measles
  • Spain and the United Kingdom lose their measles-free status due to the collapse in vaccination rates (https://www.consalud.es/pacientes/infecciosas/espana-y-reino-unido-pierden-el-estatus-de-pais-libre-de-sarampion-ante-el-desplome-de-la-vacunacion.html)

Companies

• International
  • AstraZeneca reaches a $4.7 billion agreement with China to boost obesity drugs (https://www.ft.com/content/c919380d-3f08-4dde-98e2-64e50b7da293)
  • The historic trade agreement between the US and India will boost pharmaceutical trade. The pact will gradually eliminate Indian tariffs on European medicines and seeks to strengthen supply chains in a context of geopolitical tensions.(https://www.consalud.es/salud35/internacional/la-ue-e-india-sellan-un-historico-acuerdo-de-libre-comercio-que-impulsa-el-intercambio-farmaceutico.html)
  • According to Elon Musk, there will be no nursing homes in the future; he claims his robots will be able to protect and care for the elderly. Musk proposes its humanoid robots as a solution to the shortage of caregivers and the high cost of elderly care (https://www.eleconomista.es/tecnologia/noticias/13752514/01/26/en-el-futuro-no-habra-residencias-musk-asegura-que-sus-robots-con-ia-seran-increibles-para-proteger-y-cuidar-a-las-personas-mayores.html)
  • Bayer begins to see the light at the end of the tunnel, moving away from litigation and focused on its business (https://cincodias.elpais.com/mercados-financieros/2026-02-01/bayer-comienza-a-ver-la-luz-a-final-del-tunel-alejada-de-litigios-y-centrada-en-el-negocio.html)

• National
  • GSK, Sanofi, and MSD, the companies that More funds are being taken from the €1.7 billion mega-vaccine contract (https://www.elespanol.com/invertia/observatorios/sanidad/20260128/gsk-sanofi-msd-companias-fondos-llevan-megacontrato-vacunas-sanidad/1003744107796_0.html)
  • Tthe Ribera Salud model: €11 million profit in Elche, losses in Torrejón, and business for its satellite companies (https://www.eldiario.es/comunitat-valenciana/modelo-ribera-salud-beneficio-11-millones-elche-perdidas-torrejon-negocio-empresas-satelite_1_12934997.html)

Summary

The week’s most impactful health news stories were:

• Biomedicine: The trap of “miracle” weight-loss drugs: the rebound effect is faster than with conventional diets.
• Global health: The Lancet Commission on improving post-COVID health finds that international agreements are failing to reduce three closely linked health threats.
• International health policy: Trump unveils the new health plan, albeit with few details (the entire plan is a single sheet of paper).
• National health policy: Pensions and public healthcare at risk for the first time in Spain, according to Davos.
• Business: A generic Ozempic for €15 a month, or how to revolutionize the obesity drug market.

Biomedicine

• The trap of “miracle” weight-loss drugs: the rebound effect is faster than with conventional diets. An analysis of 37 studies reveals the hidden side of GLP-1 agonists: the large-scale study shows that weight returns in less than two years.
• Predicting type 2 diabetes risk from a drop of blood. A study identifies a blood signature that better predicts the risk of type 2 diabetes.
• A vaccine to prevent colon cancer shows promising results. The preventive immunization Nous-209 works in an initial trial with patients who have 17 times the risk of developing tumors compared to the general population.
• Seven biomarkers can reveal the risk of multimorbidity through a blood test. A study from the Karolinska Institute asserts that “altered metabolism, stress responses, and energy regulation are among the main drivers of multimorbidity in older adults.”

Global Health

• The Lancet commission on improving post-COVID health. A large number of international agreements are failing to reduce three closely linked threats: non-communicable diseases, infectious disease outbreaks, and environmental degradation.

International Health Policy

• Trump unveils the new health plan, albeit with few details. The plan’s key elements are lower drug prices and “personal savings accounts” to give money to citizens, rather than to insurance companies. The new plan is only one page long. After so many announcements, more specific proposals could have been considered.
• National health spending in the USA rose (7.2%) for the second consecutive year in 2024. Hospital costs and medications are the components of spending that have increased the most. The insured population was 91.8% in 2024, up from 92.5% in 2023. Healthcare spending grew faster than the overall economy, rising from 17.7% of GDP in 2024 to 18% in 2025.
• The new US food pyramid: a step backward that benefits the industry. The pseudoscientist Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has inverted the food pyramid to promote red meat and other animal proteins.
• The improvement in research in China: a global opportunity. It is the most productive nation in terms of scientific publications.
• The WHO warns that low taxes on alcohol and sugary drinks increase health risks and calls on governments to raise and update taxation to fund healthcare.
• HERA (the EU’s Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority) prioritizes the assessment of EU health threats in four areas: respiratory viruses, animal transmission, AMR (adverse drug reactions), and armed conflict.

National Health Policy (Spain)

• Pensions and public healthcare are at risk for the first time in Spain, according to Davos. The World Economic Forum’s Global Risks report identifies “insufficient public services, such as social protection, education, infrastructure, and pensions” as among Spain’s greatest risks. This is a major setback for the Sánchez government, which boasts of protecting and improving public services.
• The Ministry of Health will not meet with doctors and rules out a future agreement: “What they are asking for is impossible.” This attitude is absolutely intolerable. What doctors are asking for is a specific statute, that is, a way to guarantee a certain degree of “medical leadership” in healthcare, which is necessary. Without undervaluing teamwork and the contribution of other professionals, the doctor/patient relationship remains the core activity of any healthcare system.
• Record competition for the MIR exam in 2026 will leave 7,487 applicants without a residency position. This is a good way to replicate the problem of “leftovers” (proliferation of doctors without a specialty), which affected the system a few years ago.

Companies

• International
  • A generic Ozempic for €15 a month: how to revolutionize the obesity drug market. This is because the patents for semaglutide, the key ingredient in Ozempic and the Wegovy weight-loss brand, are beginning to expire worldwide.

• National
  • Rob Surgical will invest €50 million and open its surgical robot plant in El Prat. Bitrack, the first surgical robot designed and manufactured in Catalonia, is moving towards the market.

Biomedicine

• The Lancet study finds no increased risk of autism when pregnant women take paracetamol. Trump’s claims that women who take paracetamol during pregnancy are at risk of having children with autism are not supported by any evidence, according to The Lancet (https://www.ft.com/content/18ac00eb-0ab4-478c-9a5b-e4c4c5b47d1c). Access the original article: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanogw/article/PIIS3050-5038(25)00211-0/fulltext
• Research: The Fleming Initiative. An Imperial College project seeking a solution to bacterial resistance to antibiotics (https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(26)00087-5/abstract)
• Most cases of Alzheimer’s are linked to a single gene. Although APOE is linked to Alzheimer’s, very few treatments in clinical trials directly target this gene (https://www.abc.es/salud/enfermedades/mayoria-casos-alzheimer-relacionados-variantes-solo-gen-20260109134521-nt.html).
• The trap of “miracle” weight-loss drugs: the rebound effect is faster than with conventional diets. An analysis of 37 studies reveals the hidden side of GLP-1 agonists: the large-scale study shows that the weight returns in less than two years (https://elpcom/salud-y-bienestar/2026-01-07/la-trampa-de-los-medicamentos-milagro-para-adelgazar-el-efecto-rebote-es-mas-rapido-que-con-dietas-convencionales.html). Access the original article in the British Medical Journal: https://www.bmj.com/content/392/bmj-2025-085304
• Predicting the risk of type 2 diabetes from a drop of blood. A study identifies a blood signature to better predict the risk of type 2 diabetes (https://www.abc.es/salud/enfermedades/predecir-riesgo-diabetes-tipo-partir-gota-sangre-20260114142504-nt.html)
• Radiology and AI, natural allies? Hospitals using algorithms detect clinical cases better and faster, but to expand their use, it is still necessary to unify criteria and have healthcare systems capable of integrating them on a large scale (https://elpais.com/proyecto-tendencias/2025-12-10/radiologia-e-ia-aliadas-naturales-me-ayuda-a-no-pasar-por-alto-hallazgos-sutiles.html)
• A vaccine to prevent colon cancer shows promising results. The preventive immunization Nous-209 works in an initial trial with patients who have 17 times the risk of developing tumors compared to the general population (https://elpais.com/ciencia/2026-01-16/una-vacuna-para-prevenir-el-cancer-de-colon-muestra-resultados-prometedores.html)
• AI algorithm revolutionizes the reading of cancer biopsies in one minute. The SMMILe tool, tested on six types of cancer, allows for precise tumor mapping from basic data, accelerating diagnosis and bringing personalized treatment closer thanks to AI (https://www.consalud.es/saludigital/tecnologia-sanitaria/avances-en-ia-aceleran-el-analisis-del-cancer-un-algoritmo-reduce-a-un-minuto-la-lectura-de-biopsias.html)
• AI outperforms radiologists in pancreatic cancer detection and promises early diagnoses. The system achieved 38% fewer false positives and 92% accuracy, according to a study with data from nearly 400 patients (https://www.consalud.es/saludigital/innovacion-tecnologica/un-modelo-de-ia-supera-a-radiologos-en-la-deteccion-del-cancer-de-pancreas-y-abre-la-puerta-a-diagnosticos-tempranos.html)
• Seven biomarkers can reveal the risk of multimorbidity through a blood test. A study from the Karolinska Institute states that “alterations in metabolism, stress responses, and energy regulation are among the main drivers of multimorbidity in older adults” (https://diariofarma.com/2026/01/10/siete-biomarcadores-pueden-revelar-el-riesgo-de-multimorbilidad-a-traves-de-un-analisis-de-sangre). Original article in Nature: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-025-04038-2

Global Health

• The ceasefire does little to improve the “horrific” situation in Gaza. Two new reports detail the harm suffered by women and children (https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(26)00086-3/fulltext)
• The decline in smokeless tobacco (ST) use and oral cancer in a global perspective. ST is used by more than 360 million people and is classified as a Group 1 carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMp2500631)
• The Lancet’s commission on improving post-COVID health. A large number of international agreements are failing to reduce three closely linked threats: non-communicable diseases, outbreaks of infections, and environmental degradation (https://www.thelancet.com/action/showPdf?pii=S0140-6736%2825%2902061-6)

International Health Policy

• USA
  • Trump unveils new health plan, albeit with few details. The oft-announced plan focuses on “personal savings accounts” and providing money to citizens, rather than to insurers (https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/15/us/politics/trump-health-care-plan.html). Information on this topic according to Politico: https://www.politico.com/news/2026/01/15/trump-health-outline-00730933. Access to “The Great Healthcare Plan”—though it’s called “great,” the plan is just one sheet of paper: https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/The-Great-Healthcare-Plan.pdf
  • National health spending rose (7.2%) for the second consecutive year in 2024. Hospital and drug costs are the components of spending that have increased the most. The insured population was 91.8% in 2024, up from 92.5% in 2023 (https://www.politico.com/news/2026/01/14/national-health-spending-soars-in-2024-00728963). Access the original source in Health Affairs: https://www.healthaffairs.org/doi/full/10.1377/hlthaff.2025.01683
  • The new US food pyramid: a return to the past that benefits industry. Pseudoscientist Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has turned the food pyramid on its head to promote red meat and other animal proteins (https://elpais.com/salud-y-bienestar/2026-01-10/la-nueva-piramide-nutricional-de-ee-uu-una-vuelta-al-pasado-que-beneficia-a-la-industria.html)
  • The Trump Administration says some approved child vaccines need better studies, while scientists disagree (https://www.science.org/content/article/trump-administration-says-some-approved-childhood-vaccines-need-better-studies)
  • Trump announces withdrawal from 66 global organizations. On January 7, Trump signed an executive order announcing the withdrawal of a number of organizations, which he claims are contrary to U.S. interests (https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(26)00085-1/fulltext)
  • Abortion opponents threaten to withdraw their support in the midterm elections due to disagreements with Trump (https://www.politico.com/news/2026/01/15/abortion-opponents-revamp-their-midterms-plans-as-rift-with-trump-widens-00729224)

• China
  • Upgrading research in China: a global opportunity. It is the most productive nation in terms of scientific publications (https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(26)00084-X/fulltext)

• United Kingdom
  • The agreement with Trump on rising drug prices in the UK is a step backward, according to some experts (https://www.ft.com/content/4a903571-5ac7-44e4-b8b7-4191339748f2)
  • Keir Starmer announces greater restrictions on children’s access to social media, concerned about the excessive use of smartphones by children and teenagers (https://www.ft.com/content/d0d239f5-44cd-4c78-be08-ce55670e7808)

• France
  • Liberal doctors suspend their strike after some government proposals and a promise to renew dialogue (https://lemonde.fr/societe/article/2026/01/16/les-medecins-liberaux-suspendent-leur-greve-annonce-un-syndicat_6662590_3224.html)

• Japan
  • Japan and the lessons of a healthcare system in transformation, embracing aging and frailty (https://www.redaccionmedica.com/opinion/felix-rubial-7847/japon-y-las-lecciones-de-un-sistema-sanitario-en-transformacion-6031)

• WHO
  • The WHO warns that low taxes on alcohol and sugary drinks increase health risks and calls on governments to raise and update taxation to finance the Health (https://elpais.com/salud-y-bienestar/2026-01-13/la-oms-alerta-de-que-los-bajos-impuestos-al-alcohol-y-a-las-bebidas-azucaradas-disparan-los-riesgos-para-la-salud.html)

• European Union
  • The EU is missing the boat on healthcare AI. While Europe has become entangled in over-regulation that demands absolute guarantees before even beginning to experiment, other countries have opted for more flexible and adaptive approaches. (https://www.elespanol.com/opinion/tribunas/20260113/ue-perdiendo-tren-ia-sanitaria/1003744086257_12.html)
  • HERA (Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority) prioritizes the assessment of EU health threats in four areas: respiratory viruses, animal transmission, AMR (adverse drug reactions), and armed conflict. (https://diariofarmcom/2026/01/13/hera-prioriza-la-evaluacion-de-amenazas-sanitarias-de-la-ue-en-cuatro-areas)

National Health Policy

• Impact of General Policy on Health
  • Pensions and public healthcare at risk for the first time in Spain, according to Davos. The World Economic Forum’s Global Risks report identifies “insufficient public services, such as social protection, education, infrastructure, and pensions” as among Spain’s greatest risks. This is a major setback for the Sánchez government, which boasts of protecting and improving public services (https://www.expansion.com/economia/politica/2026/01/14/69674b09468aeb53588b4593.html). Access the Global Risks Report 2026 (21st Edition): https://reports.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Global_Risks_Report_2026.pdf (page 89 lists the risks in Spain: 1. Social polarization; 2. Talent and worker shortages; 3. Inadequate public services and social protection (including education, infrastructure, pensions); 4. Debt (public, corporate, and household); and 5. Lack of economic opportunities and employment)

• Central Government Initiatives
  • The Ministry of Health will take Ayuso to court for the lack of a registry of abortion conscientious objectors (https://elpais.com/sociedad/2026-01-16/sanidad-denuncia-al-gobierno-de-ayuso-por-no-tener-registro-de-objetores-del-aborto.html)

• Autonomous Community Initiatives
  • Agreement on healthcare Asturian: 12-hour shifts, reduced appointment schedules in Primary Care, and fewer restrictions on combining public and private healthcare (https://www.diariomedico.com/medicina/profesion/acuerdo-sanidad-asturiana-guardias-flexibles-reduccion-agendas-ap.html)
  • The Valencian Community is preparing new support measures for rural pharmacies, with an emphasis on updating schedules, emergency care, and vacations, “improving work-life balance without compromising the continuity of pharmaceutical services to the public” (https://diariofarma.com/2026/01/15/comunidad-valenciana-prepara-nuevas-medidas-de-apoyo-y-flexibilidad-para-la-farmacia-rural)
  • Farmaindustria and the Catalan Government will promote Catalonia as a major biopharmaceutical hub (https://diariofarma.com/2026/01/15/farmaindustria-y-cataluna-potenciaran-la-region-como-un-gran-polo-biofarmaceutico)
  • The cities vying to host the AESAP: Zaragoza, Granada, Barcelona, ​​Oviedo, León, Murcia, Toledo, Lugo, and Salamanca (https://www.consalud.es/autonomias/las-nueve-ciudades-que-aspiran-a-sede-de-la-aesap-al-descubierto-cuales-son-sus-propuestas.html)

• Transplants
  • Spain is nearing its all-time record for transplants and has been the world leader for 34 years. (https://elpais.com/sociedad/2026-01-16/espana-roza-su-record-historico-de-trasplantes-de-organos-y-encadena-34-anos-como-lider-mundial.html)

• Framework Statute
  • The Ministry of Health will not meet with doctors and rules out a future agreement: “What they are asking for is impossible” (https://www.elespanol.com/invertia/observatorios/sanidad/20260116/ministerio-sanidad-no-reunira-medicos-descarta-futuro-acuerdo-piden-imposible/1003744091205_0.html)

• MIR Exam
  • Medical outrage over the lack of transparency and the Ministry of Health’s poor management in organizing the MIR exam (https://www.larazon.es/sociedad/indignacion-medica-pesima-gestion-falta-transparencia-sanidad-examen-mir_202601126964594ebe7ae37724bfbfcd.html)
  • Record competition for the MIR exam in 2026 will leave 7,487 applicants without a residency position (https://www.elespanol.com/invertia/observatorios/sanidad/20260117/competencia-record-mir-dejara-sin-plaza-aspirantes-examen/1003744092787_0.html)

• Torrejón Hospital
  • A court is investigating the management of Torrejón Hospital for possible irregularities (https://elpais.com/sociedad/2026-01-14/un-juzgado-investiga-la-gestion-del-hospital-de-torrejon-por-posibles-irregularidades.html)

Companies

• International
  • Nvidia and Microsoft support an AI breakthrough related to gene therapy. UK’s Basecamp Research uses genomic sequencing databases to address cancers and resistant bacteria (https://www.ft.com/content/29ec4303-cb70-48b5-a28c-320a7062cdd3)
  • From Lilly’s Orforglipron to Novo Nordisk’s CagriSema, the obesity drugs that will break the bank in 2026 (https://www.elespanol.com/invertia/observatorios/sanidad/20260115/orforglipron-lilly-cagrisema-novo-nordisk-farmacos-obesidad-romperan-banca/1003744089743_0.html)
  • 25% of the population would be candidates for GLP-1 treatment. Women and older people more frequently meet the eligibility criteria to receive these obesity drugs. (https://www.diariomedico.com/medicina/medicina-preventiva/25-poblacion-mundial-seria-candidata-tratamiento-glp-1.html)
  • The ten largest acquisitions in the pharmaceutical industry in 2025 (https://elglobalfarma.com/industria/diez-mayores-adquisiciones-industria-farmaceutica-2025/)
  • Johnson & Johnson, Novartis, and MSD lead the biggest acquisitions of 2025 (https://www.eleconomista.es/salud-bienestar/noticias/13722104/01/26/johnson-johnson-novartis-y-msd-lideran-las-mayores-compras-en-2025.html)
  • A generic Ozempic for 15 euros a month, or how to revolutionize the market Obesity drugs. This is because the patents for semaglutide, the key ingredient in Ozempic and the Wegovy weight-loss brand, are beginning to expire worldwide (https://cincodias.elpais.com/companias/2026-01-15/un-ozempic-generico-a-15-euros-al-mes-o-como-revolucionar-el-mercado-de-farmacos-para-la-obesidad.html)

• National News
  • The government will require health insurers to have a viability plan (https://www.redaccionmedica.com/secciones/privada/el-gobierno-obligara-a-las-aseguradoras-de-salud-a-tener-plan-de-viabilidad-4645)
  • Esteve strengthens its position in the USA with the purchase of TerSera’s infusion therapies (https://www.diariomedico.com/farmacia/industria/esteve-fortalece-eeuu-compra-terapias-infusion-tersera.html)
  • Italfármaco announces a €10 million investment in its Madrid center (https://diariofarma.com/2026/01/12/italfarmaco-anuncia-una-inversion-de-10-millones-de-euros-en-su-centro-madrileno)
  • Rob Surgical will invest €50 million and open its surgical robot plant in El Prat. Bitrack, the first surgical robot designed and manufactured in Catalonia, is moving towards the market (https://www.expansion.com/catalunya/2026/01/16/696aabf0e5fdea60278b458f.html)