Summary

The week’s most impactful health news stories were:

• Biomedicine: Smart antibiotics: Can AI end antimicrobial resistance?
• Global health: Liver cancer will double by 2050, according to The Lancet.
• International health policy: Trump asks pharmaceutical companies to lower prices by the end of September. The Biden administration’s gradualist and well-designed policy is replaced by threats.
• National health policy: The Minister of Health says that “not bringing the Framework Statute to the Council of Ministers in the fall would be condemning it to being shelved,” which, given the circumstances, might not be the worst thing. The negotiation of the Statute lacks a high-level strategic design.
• Business: NovoNordisk lost its lead in the race for weight-loss drugs.

Biomedicine

• Smart antibiotics: Can AI end antimicrobial resistance? This is one of the greatest challenges of modern medicine. Infections increase every year and become increasingly difficult to treat. If we fail to act effectively, it could be the leading cause of death worldwide by 2050. Alternatives to antibiotics, drug repurposing, and AI simulations that save time and resources are among the possible solutions.
• A study of more than one million people reveals the genetic basis of stuttering. 48 genes related to this condition have been identified. The research may lead to therapeutic advances for this problem.
• Genetic viruses such as influenza promote cancer metastasis. Research led by Spanish researcher Mercedes Rincón at the University of Colorado

Global Health

• Liver cancer will double by 2050, according to The Lancet.
• Sudan: an ignored health catastrophe. The children and women of Sudan are paying the highest price for a war the world is ignoring.

International Health Policy

• Trump asks pharmaceutical companies to lower prices by the end of September. Last Thursday, AstraZeneca, Merck, Regeneron, Eli Lilly, Novo Nordisk, Pfizer, and GSK received letters from the president urging them to lower their prices. Surprisingly, neither Roche nor Takeda, based in Switzerland and Japan, respectively, were on the list, although Genentech, a Roche subsidiary, was. This, logically, has activated the pharmaceutical lobby. The Trump administration has replaced the Biden administration’s gradualist and guarantee-based policies with threats and vagueness, if not bullying. Furthermore, the whole problem has a very old origin: the refusal to allow Medicare to negotiate drug prices with pharmaceutical companies, something that doesn’t happen in other parts of the world, particularly in Europe.
• Van der Leyden gets the United States to give in and impose a “flat” 15% tariff on pharmaceutical products. The technical details of the agreement will be revealed in the coming days.

National Health Policy (Spain)

• The Minister of Health says that “not bringing the Framework Statute to the Council of Ministers in the fall would be condemning them to a shelf.” Involving the medical profession in the management of the system and the patient experience is one of the major challenges that the Statute negotiations, lacking a general strategic design and filled with minor quirks, were failing to address. Surely, under these circumstances, it is best to leave the Statute negotiations for another occasion.
• Crisis proves MIR. The PP accuses the Ministry of dismantling a system that had been in place for decades.

Companies

• International
  • How NovoNordisk lost its leadership in the race for weight-loss drugs. One explanation is that a competitor, Lilly, appeared with a better product: pills instead of injectables.

• National
  • Esteve strengthens its presence in the United States with the acquisition of Regis Technologies, a company dedicated to contract manufacturing of pharmaceutical products.

Biomedicine

• New implants offer hope for improving rheumatoid arthritis. The FDA approved this new device last Wednesday, offering opportunities to 1.5 million Americans, until now treated with medication (https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/31/health/arthritis-implant-vagus-setpoint.html)
• Smart antibiotics: can AI end antimicrobial resistance? This is one of the greatest challenges of modern medicine. Infections increase every year and become increasingly difficult to treat. If we fail to act effectively, it could be the leading cause of death worldwide by 2050. Alternatives to antibiotics, drug repurposing, and AI simulations that save time and resources are among the possible solutions (https://theconversation.com/smart-antibiotics-can-kill-ai-with-antimicrobial-resistance-260112)
• A study of more than one million people reveals the genetic basis of stuttering. Forty-eight genes related to this condition have been identified. The research may lead to therapeutic advances for this problem (https://www.abc.es/salud/enfermedades/estudio-gran-escala-revela-arquitectura-genetica-tartamudez-20250728142129-nt.html). Access the original article in Nature: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41588-025-02267-2
• A single injection at birth can protect children from HIV for years, provided the treatment is administered close to birth (https://www.abc.es/salud/enfermedades/sola-inyeccion-nacer-puede-proteger-ninos-vih-20250730121328-nt.html). Access the original article in Nature: https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-025-02439-4
• Genetic viruses like influenza promote cancer metastasis. Research led by Spanish researcher Mercedes Rincón at the University of Colorado (https://elpais.com/salud-y-bienestar/2025-07-30/virus-respiratorios-como-la-gripe-promueven-la-metastasis-del-cancer.html). Original article in Nature: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-025-09332-0
• Artificial intelligence to create new medicines (https://www.expansion.com/directivos/2025/07/31/688a4cc3e5fdea2a748b459b.html)

Global Health

• Liver cancer will double by 2050, according to The Lancet (https://www.diariomedico.com/medicina/medicina-interna/casos-cancer-higado-duplicaran-2050-segun-lancet.html)
• A continental call to action to end cholera by 2030 (https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(25)01426-6/fulltext)
• Future trajectories for One Health. A new report establishes seven criteria for implementing One Health (https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(25)01453-9/abstract?rss=yes)
• Sudan: An ignored health catastrophe. Sudan’s children and women are paying the highest price for a war the world is ignoring (https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(25)01563-6/fulltext)
• The science of famine (https://www.ft.com/content/fb0a5096-d24d-4dce-9e98-8ec1406b64ba)
• Raising taxes on tobacco, alcohol, and sugary drinks in Africa: a triple lifeline in times of development aid cuts (https://elpais.com/planeta-futuro/2025-07-30/subir-los-impuestos-al-tabaco-el-alcohol-y-las-bebidas-azucaradas-en-africa-un-triple-salvavidas-en-tiempos-de-recortes-a-la-ayuda-al-desarrollo.html). Access to the document The Future of Health Financing in Africa: The Role of Health Taxes: https://www.vitalstrategies.org/resources/the-future-of-health-financing-in-africa-the-role-of-health-taxes/

International Health Policy

• USA
  • The CDC says childhood vaccination rates have fallen again (https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/31/health/child-vaccinations-decline-cdc.html)
  • Trump announces a Health Record system for consumers. The Administration is working with several technology providers to make clinical information more shareable, regardless of the provider (https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/30/us/politics/trump-health-records-system.html)
  • Trump asks pharmaceutical companies to lower prices by the end of September. Last Thursday, AstraZeneca, Merck, Regeneron, Eli Lilly, Novo Nordisk, Pfizer, and GSK received letters from the president asking them to lower their prices. Surprisingly, neither Roche nor Takeda, based in Switzerland and Japan, respectively, were on the list, although Genentech, a Roche subsidiary, was. This has, logically, activated the pharmaceutical lobby (https://www.com/content/5e935b63-5a58-4feb-859b-e50cbfddc194)

• United Kingdom
  • Three million NHS England patients on waiting lists for further care after GP referral (https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/aug/01/three-million-on-nhs-england-waiting-lists-have-had-no-care-since-gp-referral)

• European Union
  • Van der Leyden gets the United States to give in and impose a “flat” 15% tariff on pharmaceutical products. The technical details of the agreement will be revealed in the coming days (https://elglobalfarma.com/politica/von-del-leyen-estados-unidos-arancel-productos-farmaceuticos/).
  • Europe is preparing for the next health crisis with an arsenal of measures incorporated into its new E4Health 2025 program. €88 million is allocated to nine specific actions (https://gacetamedica.com/politica/europa-crisis-sanitaria-medidas-e4health-2025/).

National Health Policy

• Central Government Initiatives
  • The Ministry of Health sets a busy regulatory calendar for after the summer. The Drug Law, the State Public Health Agency, tobacco, alcohol use in minors, and health technologies are the focus of some of the Ministry’s main regulatory milestones (https://diariofarma.com/2025/07/27/sanidad-fija-un-intenso-calendario-normativo-para-despues-del-verano)
  • The Royal Decree for the other diseases included in the ALS Law is moving forward. The draft Royal Decree implementing the ALS Law is open to public hearing (https://www.consalud.es/politica/sanidad-publica-el-proyecto-de-real-decreto-para-ampliar-la-cobertura-de-la-ley-ela-a-otras-enfermedades.html)

• Autonomous Community Initiatives
  • The Xunta (Xunta) is committed to the decentralization of medical teaching in A Coruña and Vigo. It seems the plan is to decentralize for the 4th and 5th grades, which already exists in the 6th grade (https://www.consalud.es/autonomias/galicia/xunta-descentralizacion-grado-medicina-vigo-a-coruna.html)
  • Illa expands the large Catalan pharmaceutical industry to China. China is a potential pharmaceutical export market from the perspective of Catalonia, where the majority of the national industry in this sector is concentrated, and from Spain. According to the market study on this area conducted by ICEX Spain Export and Investment in 2024, Spain was the sixth largest exporter of pharmaceuticals to China in the world. (https://www.redaccionmedica.com/secciones/industria/illa-expande-la-industria-pharma-catalana-a-asia-para-sortear-a-trump-8723)
  • Castilla y León approves the 2025-2032 Health Plan, with 40 objectives and 169 measures (https://www.consalud.es/autonomias/castilla-y-leon/castilla-y-leon-aprueba-nuevo-plan-de-salud-objetivos-medidas.html)

• MIR Test
  • Crisis MIR test. The PP accuses the Ministry of dismantling a system that had been in place for decades (https://elpais.com/sociedad/2025-07-31/el-recorte-en-la-retribucion-de-los-expertos-que-disenan-los-examenes-mir-desata-una-crisis-con-sanidad.html)

• Framework Statute
  • Medical movements and discontent with the Statute continue (https://gacetamedica.com/profesion/estatuto-marco-reuniones-protestas-ultimatum-ultimos-movimientos/)
  • The Minister of Health says that “not bringing the Framework Statute to the Council of Ministers in the fall would condemn them to putting them in a drawer” (https://www.diariomedico.com/medicina/profesion/monica-garcia-llevar-estatuto-marco-consejo-ministros-otono-seria-condenarlo-meterlo-cajon.html)

• Hospital facilities
  • New wave of public hospitals. Gran Montecelo Hospital in Pontevedra; Sierra Norte Hospital for Care and Functional Recovery in Madrid; Aranda de Duero Hospital in Burgos; Campanar Acute Care Hospital, which will replace Arnau de Vilanova in Valencia; the new General Hospital of Castellón; Campus Clínic on Diagonal in Barcelona; the future Maternal and Child Hospital in Huelva; the second phase of the University Hospital of Cáceres; the expansion of the University Hospital of Móstoles; Expansion of the Cabueñes University Hospital in Gijón (https://www.consalud.es/autonomias/estos-son-los-nuevos-hospitales-publicos-que-llegaran-a-la-sanidad-espanola.html)

• NHS Situation
  • The NHS in Figures (https://www.consalud.es/profesionales/el-sns-en-cifras-esta-es-la-radiografia-del-sistema-sanitario-espanol-en-2025.html)

• Pharmaceutical Purchases in Hospitals
  • Report from the Court of Auditors. The report indicates differences of up to 97% in the price paid for the same medication in the four hospitals analyzed (Valdecilla, Complejo Badajoz, Arrixaca, and San Pedro, La Rioja) (https://diariofarma.com/2025/07/29/el-tc-senala-deficiencias-en-la-gestion-del-gasto-farmaceutico-hospitalario-en-cuatro-cc-aa)

• State Public Health Agency
  • Debate on the location. Zaragoza, Granada, Oviedo, and León are candidates. Other cities, such as Valencia, Lugo, A Coruña, Salamanca, and even Barcelona, could join the process (https://www.consalud.es/politica/cuenta-atras-para-elegir-la-sede-de-la-aesap-estos-son-los-plazos-y-posibles-candidatas.html)

Companies

• International
  • European pharmaceutical companies suffer on the stock market after Trump’s challenge (https://cincodias.elpais.com/mercados-financieros/2025-08-01/castigo-en-bolsa-a-las-farmaceuticas-europeas-tras-el-pulso-lanzado-por-trump.html)
  • How NovoNordisk lost its lead in the race for weight-loss drugs (https://www.ft.com/content/410f474a-41e7-4f12-bee9-098478bb7136)
  • UnitedHealth grew to a leviathan, then came the setback (https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/28/health/unitedhealth-backlash.html)
  • Moderna lost €1.573 billion in the first half of 2025 (https://www.elespanol.com/invertia/observatorios/sanidad/20250801/moderna-perdio-millones-euros-primer-semestre/1003743871761_0.html#:~:text=Moderna%20ha%20presentado%20este%20viernes,ejercicio%2C%20although%20sí%20los%20mejora.)

• National
  • Esteve strengthens its position in the United States with the acquisition of Regis Technologies, a company dedicated to the contract manufacturing of pharmaceutical products (https://www.expansion.com/catalunya/2025/07/31/688b4a53468aeb08148b4587.html)
  • Grifols soars 9% on the stock market after returning to its dividend and improving its forecasts for 2025 (https://cincodias.elpais.com/companias/2025-07-30/grifols-se-dispara-en-bolsa-tras-volver-al-dividendo-y-mejorar-previsiones-para-2025.html)

Summary

The most impactful health news of the week were:

• Biomedicine: The concept of the human exposome (all external interactions that increase the risk of disease) is being strengthened, compared to simple genetic screening.
• Global Health: USAID cuts threaten 14 million deaths by 2030, according to a study.
• International Health Policy: With a foreword by the Prime Minister, the “10-Year Plan for NHS England” is published, with many innovative proposals, but with doubts regarding the difficulties of its implementation.
• National Health Policy: Catalonia begins its battle against waiting lists in 27 outpatient clinics. These centers will be called CSIR (Comprehensive Reference Health Centers).
• Business: Quirón revolutionizes healthcare with generative AI: more than one million consultations thanks to its Scribe project.

Biomedicine

• The human exposome project. The exposome concept was introduced by Wild in 2005. It consists of the set of external elements that affect health: pollution, diet, medications and drugs, light, noise, radiation, the millions of chemicals in the environment, even the microbiome, etc. The exposome is responsible for 80% of the risk of developing non-communicable diseases. The project of genetic screening of all newborns is questioned. This risks affecting future generations in patients from the moment of birth, due to overdiagnosis and overtreatment.
• DNA damage from air pollution will contribute to lung cancer in non-smokers. While anti-smoking laws are taking effect, the problem of lung cancer in non-smokers is emerging, linked to air pollution.

Global Health

• USAID cuts threaten 14 million deaths by 2030, according to a study. The cuts primarily affect the fight against malaria and the HIV virus.
• GAVI falls short of its $9 billion budget. It has a 25% budget gap and will have to face difficult decisions.

International Health Policy

• The British government approves the “10-Year Plan for NHS England.” The document includes a foreword by Prime Minister Starmer, a year after his arrival and in a low period. The approach is “reform or die.” Key points: 1. From hospital to community; 2. From analog to digital; 3. From disease to prevention; 4. A new operating model; 5. Emphasis on transparency and quality; 5. A new personnel policy; 6. Innovation; 7. Innovation and a new financial approach. Leading British health think tanks, the Nuffield Trust and the King’s Fund, as well as editorials in major newspapers, have commented on the document. Basically, they say it is very well done and contains original ideas, but the government is taking a risk in its difficult implementation. The claim that digitalization will lead to significant savings is also disputed.
• Trump passes his “beautiful tax law” that will leave millions in the US without health coverage. It represents a cut of more than $1 billion in healthcare over the next decade. A major step backward compared to Obamacare, which further distances the US from the rest of the developed countries, all of which have universal coverage.

National Health Policy (Spain)

• Catalonia begins its battle against waiting lists in 27 outpatient clinics. These centers will be called CSIR (Comprehensive Reference Health Centers), and the role of administrative staff will be strengthened.
• CESM insists that a Statute and a specific negotiating framework for physicians are necessary. The medical union calls for direct discussions with the Administration, without other unions diluting their demands or imposing conditions.

Companies

• International
  • Pfizer, GSK, and Moderna expand their scope of action for RSV following the new US recommendation for this vaccine. The CDC has adopted a new recommendation for RSV vaccination, increasing the target population, previously limited to those over 75 years of age.

• National
  • Quirón revolutionizes healthcare with generative AI: more than one million consultations thanks to its Scribe project. Scribe has the ability to automatically transcribe doctor-patient conversations in real time, identify clinically relevant elements, and generate a structured report without the doctor losing eye contact with the patient. This process allows the professional to fully focus on providing care without having to divert their attention to a screen or keyboard.

Biomedicine

• A new project aims to synthesize a human chromosome. When the DNA sequence was identified in 2000, it was completed in 2022. DNA could be read, and CRISPR technology could be used to make small edits. The Synthetic Human Genome Project (SymHG) aims to create a chromosome from scratch. The goal is to develop gene therapies through which healthy cells are injected into a patient’s body to cure a genetic disease or organs that are malfunctioning (https://www.economist.com/science-and-technology/2025/07/02/a-new-project-aims-to-synthesise-a-human-chromosome)
• The Human Exposome Project. The concept of the exposome was introduced by Wild in 2005. It consists of the set of external elements that affect health: pollution, diet, medications and drugs, light, noise, radiation, the millions of chemicals in the environment, even the microbiome, etc. The exposome is responsible for 80% of the risk of developing non-communicable diseases (https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(25)01381-9/fulltext?rss=yes)
• From the genome to the exposome. This BMJ article questions the project of genetic screening of all newborns, recently announced by the British Health Secretary. Why doesn’t the government focus on more easily identifiable risks, such as those related to the exposome? This risks affecting future generations in patients from the moment of birth, resulting in overdiagnosis and overtreatment (https://www.bmj.com/content/389/bmj.r1349)
• Human proteins are synthesized with the help of artificial intelligence. This would allow for treating diseases, testing drugs, and improving crops (https://www.economist.com/science-and-technology/2025/07/02/ai-is-helping-to-design-proteins-from-scratch)
• Cancer immunotherapy: CAR-T cells produced in vivo. A study published in the journal Science shows that in rodents and monkeys, it is possible to reprogram immune cells in the body to attack cancers or autoimmune diseases (https://www.lemonde.fr/sciences/article/2025/07/02/immunotherapies-des-cancers-des-cellules-car-t-produites-in-vivo_6617417_1650684.html)
• Psychedelic nasal sprays show promise against depression (https://www.ft.com/content/c9ad1f8a-64b4-4606-a863-5356c4929eed)
• A simple brain scan determines the rate at which we age. The tool makes it possible to predict whether a person will develop dementia or other age-related diseases before symptoms appear (https://www.abc.es/salud/enfermedades/simple-escaner-cerebral-determina-velocidad-envejecemos-20250701140928-nt.html)
• DNA damage from air pollution will contribute to lung cancer in non-smokers. While anti-smoking laws are taking effect, the problem of lung cancer in non-smokers is emerging, linked to air pollution (https://elpais.com/ciencia/2025-07-02/hallada-una-fuerte-conexion-entre-contaminacion-atmosferica-y-cancer-de-pulmon-en-no-fumadores.html). Access the original Nature article: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-025-09219-0.epdf?sharing_token=wGe-tJmlWnlW802MEP6ZstRgN0jAjWel9jnR3ZoTv0MBuQgXBZXD0M4xTxlIn0ITN_9kidXL_OHNGVJjqWmBul6T9nTa gg_z73IV5SKqgb7H6zU0BcaEy2btGiK-2-1mIliyOR4V22O1FL_W-y5XjhcOmiwZrp1f0xZ06dMnpBdViYkWr38jp5oydD1l791OB0D4zvK5A7C4YfF1RAmDjw%3D%3D&tracking_referrer=elpais.com

Global Health

• GAVI falls $9 billion short of its budget. It has a 25% budget gap and will face difficult decisions (https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(25)01380-7/fulltext?rss=yes)
• A call to action on MPOX in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(25)00673-7/fulltext?rss=yes)
• USAID cuts threaten 14 million deaths by 2030, according to a study. The cuts primarily affect the fight against malaria and HIV (https://www.ft.com/content/945a0301-2bf5-4e0f-bdc4-f07f82891cb1). Access to the original article in The Lancet: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(25)01186-9/fulltext

International Health Policy

• USA
  • Trump passes his “beautiful tax law” that will leave millions in the US without health coverage. It represents a cut of more than $1 billion in healthcare over the next decade (https://www.elconfidencial.com/mundo/2025-07-03/trump-ley-fiscal-cobertura-sanitaria-eeuu_4164874/)
  • NEJM article: The corporatization of American healthcare (https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMp2415485)
  • The decline in vaccination coverage in the US could have global consequences (https://www.lemonde.fr/idees/article/2025/07/02/le-declin-de-la-couverture-vaccinale-aux-etats-unis-peut-et-va-avoir-des-consequences-planetaires_6617406_3232.html#:~:text=Une%20étude%20publiée%20en%20avril,des%20vingt%2Dcinq%20prochaines%20années.)

• United Kingdom
  • The government approves the “10-Year Plan for NHS England.” The document includes a foreword by Prime Minister Starmer, a year after his arrival and in a slump. The approach is “reform or die.” Key points: 1. From hospital to community; 2. From analog to digital; 3. From disease to prevention; 4. A new operating model; 5. An emphasis on transparency and quality; 5. A new personnel policy; 6. Innovation; 7. Innovation and a new financial approach. Access the full version of the document (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6866387fe6557c544c74db7a/fit-for-the-future-10-year-health-plan-for-england.pdf). Executive summary: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/686639056569be0acf74db89/fit-for-the-future-10-year-health-plan-for-england-executive-summary.pdf
  • King’s Fund reaction: https://www.kingsfund.org.uk/insight-and-analysis/press-releases/specific-topics-10-year-plan-for-health
  • Nuffield Trust reaction: https://www.nuffieldtrust.org.uk/news-item/nuffield-trust-response-to-the-nhs-10-year-plan
  • The Guardian editorial: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/jul/03/the-guardian-view-on-labours-nhs-plan-it-is-right-to-celebrate-medical-science-but-delivery-is-the-hard-part

• France
  • Doctors will soon be forced to move to “medical deserts” (https://www.lemonde.fr/comprendre-en-3-minutes/video/2025/07/03/les-medecins-seront-ils-bientot-forces-de-s-installer-dans-les-deserts-medicaux-comprendre-en-trois-minutes_6617472_6176282.html#:~:text=les%20déserts%20médicaux%20%3F-,Comprendre%20en%20trois%20minutes,appliquera%20à%20partir%20de%20Septembre.)

• WHO
  • The WHO proposes increasing the price of tobacco, alcohol, and sugary drinks. They call for higher taxes to reduce smoking (https://www.consalud.es/politica/oms-aumentar-precio-tabaco-alcohol-bebidas-azucaradas.html)

• European Union
  • EU Initiative to Make Europe a Leader in Health Industries. The plan aims to make the EU the most attractive location in the world for health sciences by 2030 (https://commission.europa.eu/news-and-media/news/making-europe-global-leader-life-sciences-2025-07-02_en). Access the full document: https://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/document/download/411698e8-6062-41af-96e5-af54474d70f5_en

National Health Policy

• Central Government Initiatives
  • The Ministry of Health plans to submit the drug law to the Council of Ministers in September for final approval. The Ministry of Health has received more than 400 objections to the draft (https://www.elespanol.com/invertia/observatorios/sanidad/20250704/sanidad-espera-volver-llevar-ley-medicamento-consejo-ministros-septiembre/1003743834241_0.html)
  • Green light for the advanced therapies plan and expansion of genetic testing (https://www.consalud.es/politica/sanidad-amplia-el-plan-de-terapias-avanzadas-es-un-antes-y-un-despues-para-miles-de-pacientes.html)
  • The specialties of Medical Genetics and Laboratory Genetics are out for public consultation (https://diariofarma.com/2025/07/02/las-especialidades-de-genetica-medica-y-genetica-de-laboratorio-salen-a-consulta-publica)
  • The Interterritorial approves a new Patient Safety Strategy 2025-2035. Seven strategic lines are proposed (https://www.consalud.es/politica/el-consejo-interterritorial-aprueba-la-nueva-estrategia-de-seguridad-del-paciente-del-sns-2025-2035.html)

• Autonomous community initiatives
  • Navarra approves the order for hard-to-fill positions (in hospital, primary, and mental health settings) and their incentives (https://www.consalud.es/autonomias/navarra/navarra-aprueba-la-orden-foral-que-establece-los-puestos-de-dificil-cobertura-y-los-incentivos-para-cubiertalos.html)
  • The first public proton therapy center in Madrid will be operational in 2027. It will be located at the Fuenlabrada Hospital (https://www.diariomedico.com/medicina/oncologia-radioterapica/madrid-primer-centro-publico-protonterapia-estara-operativo-2027.html#:~:text=Radioterápica%20En%20Fuenlabrada-,Madrid%3A%20el%20primer%20centro%20público%20de%20protonterapia%20estará%20operativo%20en,máxima%20precisión%20y%20mínima%20toxicidad.)
  • The SESCAM is finalizing a law on maximum waiting list times. The law, which will be published in 2026, guarantees maximum waiting times with the possibility of referral if they are violated (https://www.consalud.es/autonomias/castilla-la-mancha/el-sescam-se-planta-contra-las-listas-de-espera-y-ultima-su-nueva-ley-de-tiempos-maximos.html)
  • Catalonia begins its battle against waiting lists in 27 outpatient clinics. These centers will be called CSIR (Comprehensive Reference Health Centers), and the role of administrative staff will be strengthened (https://elpais.com/espana/catalunya/2025-07-01/cataluna-refuerza-a-los-administrativos-de-la-primaria-para-reducir-listas-de-espera-tenemos-una-organizacion-mejorable.html)
  • Canary Islands promotes the development of its Public Health Agency. The draft bill is being prepared (https://diariofarma.com/2025/07/01/canarias-impulsa-el-desarrollo-de-su-agencia-salud-publica-hacia-un-modelo-evaluador-y-coordinador)
  • The 24 strategic lines of the Basque Health Pact are approved. However, there were many “disengagements” from entities initially in the Pact (both professional and union). The most controversial point was public/private collaboration (https://gacetamedica.com/politica/intrahistoria-reunion-tercera-fase-pacto-salud-vasco/)

• Sick Leave
  • Sick leaves of more than one year have increased by almost 400% and now exceed 200,000. AMAT (the Association of Workers’ Accident Insurance Companies) and the Bank of Spain have raised concerns about this issue (https://www.vozpopuli.com/economia/macroeconomia/las-bajas-medicas-superiores-al-ano-se-disparan-casi-un-400-y-rebasan-ya-las-200000.html#:~:text=Las%20bajas%20médicas%20superiores%20al,y%20rebasan%20ya%20las%20200.000)

• Framework Statute
  • CESM insists that a Statute and a specific negotiating framework for doctors are necessary. The medical union is calling for direct discussions with the Administration, without the other unions diluting their demands or imposing conditions (https://www.diariomedico.com/medicina/profesion/cesm-insiste-son-necesarios-estatuto-ambito-negociacion-propios-medicos.html

Companies

• International
  • Pfizer, GSK, and Moderna expand their RSV vaccination range following the new US recommendation for this vaccine. The CDC has adopted a new recommendation for RSV vaccination, increasing the target population, previously limited to those over 75 years of age (https://www.elespanol.com/invertia/observatorios/sanidad/20250704/pfizer-gsk-moderna-amplian-radio-accion-vrs-nueva-recomendacion-eeuu-vacuna/1003743832079_0.html)

• National
  • The Magnum fund enters the market in aesthetic medicine and surgery and injects 55 million into the Gournay clinics (https://www.elespanol.com/invertia/observatorios/sanidad/20250704/fondo-magnum-adentra-medicina-cirugia-esteticas-inyecta-millones-clinicas-gournay/1003743833041_0.html)
  • Quirón revolutionizes healthcare with generative AI: more than one million consultations thanks to its Scribe project. Scribe has the ability to automatically transcribe doctor-patient conversations in real time, identify clinically relevant elements, and generate a structured report without the doctor losing eye contact with the patient. This process allows the professional to focus completely on care without having to divert their attention to a screen or keyboard. (https://www.consalud.es/industria/sanidad-privada/quironsalud-revoluciona-la-atencion-medica-con-ia-generativa-mas-de-un-millon-de-consultas-gracias-a-su-proyecto-scribe.html)

Summary

The most impactful health news of the week were:

• Biomedicine: People with severe diabetes are cured in trials with new drugs.
• Global health: More than 13 million people in Africa may contract malaria due to cuts in American aid.
• International health policy: The British Parliament approves both the decriminalization of abortion and the right to assisted dying for England and Wales.
• National health policy: Congress approves the creation of the State Public Health Agency.
• Business: HM Hospitals buys a plot of land in Malaga to build a large hospital.

Biomedicine

• People with severe diabetes are cured in trials with new drugs. Most patients who received a stem cell infusion no longer needed insulin. The trial was conducted by the Vertex laboratory. Around 2 million people in the USA have type 1 diabetes.
• The relationship between autism and the microbiota is discussed. It is unclear whether the observed alterations in the microbiota of autistic children are a cause or a consequence.

Global Health

• More than 13 million people in Africa may contract malaria due to US aid cuts. A Lancet study demonstrates the potential impact of Trump’s plans to halve funding by 2025.
• The response to MPOX: African leadership and global responsibility. On June 9, 2025, the WHO Director-General said that MPOX remains a public health emergency of international concern. The announcement coincides with an increase in cases in Sierra Leone and the emergence of cases in some new countries, such as Ethiopia. The African CDC is leading the efforts, yet the number of people vaccinated is only 10% of the target. This is a testament to post-COVID efforts in an era of collapsing multilateralism.

International Health Policy

• Congress offers the first signs of resisting Trump’s plans to cut science budgets. A House of Representatives committee rejects cuts to agricultural research, and senators express doubts about cuts to the National Health Institutes and forestry research.
• The Sanming model, reform of the Chinese healthcare system. The Chinese healthcare system has changed significantly since Mao Zedong’s death in 1976, moving from “barefoot doctors” with minimal training to a more institutional approach. The Sanming region has 22 hospitals and 15,000 doctors. It had a large healthcare deficit. After some reforms, it managed to move from deficit to surplus. Perhaps many of these reforms can be introduced in other parts of China.
• Assisted dying, legal in England and Wales, after approval by Parliament. Terminally ill patients with less than six months of life expectancy will have the opportunity to choose their method of death, following medical and committee approval. MPs had a free vote, and Starmer voted in favor. The NHS will have four years to implement the measure. 
• Parliamentarians vote in favor of decriminalizing abortion in England and Wales. This will prevent women from being investigated, arrested, prosecuted, and imprisoned for terminating their own pregnancies.
• The EU escalates its tensions with China by vetoing large-scale public procurement of its medical supplies. Starting in July, the Union will ban purchases of more than five million medical devices from the Asian giant, unless there are no alternatives. Brussels launches its International Public Procurement Instrument, a new tool to defend EU positions in a context of escalating trade war.

National Health Policy (Spain)

• Congress approves the creation of the State Public Health Agency. With votes against from the PP, Vox, and Junts, the law will now go to the Senate. An amendment is included to require that the appointment of the head of the Agency be made under the principles of equality, merit, and ability.
• The Cantabria Health Plan 2025-2029 is presented, which includes six strategic lines. Among other things, the plan is to connect private healthcare with a clinical data gateway.
• Restrictions on combining public and private practice in Asturias are being eased. Doctors who combine public and private healthcare will lose €391 instead of €1,026.

Companies

• International
  • Lilly reaches an agreement to buy the gene-editing biotech company Verve.

• National
  • HM Hospitals buys a plot of land in Malaga to build a large hospital.

Biomedicine

• NEJM article: The role of pathobiology in contemporary medicine. This article discusses the lesser emphasis placed in American medical schools on basic medical sciences, and specifically on pathology. Pathology is frequently included in an organ-based approach to pathology, often taught by clinicians. This is considered negative, as many students lack adequate knowledge of basic medical sciences (https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMp2414384).
• People with severe diabetes are cured in trials with new drugs. Most patients who received a stem cell infusion no longer required insulin. The trial was conducted by the Vertex laboratory. Around 2 million people in the US have type 1 diabetes (https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/20/health/diabetes-cure-insulin-stem-cell.html)
• The relationship between autism and the microbiota is being discussed. It is unclear whether the alterations observed in the microbiota of autistic children are a cause or a consequence (https://elpais.com/ciencia/las-cientificas-responden/2025-06-21/esta-relacionado-el-autismo-con-la-microbiota.html)
• They convert mouse cancer cells into healthy cells (https://www.abc.es/salud/enfermedades/convierten-celulas-cancerosas-ratones-celulas-sanas-20250616134146-nt.html#:~:text=Un%20equipo%20del%20Instituto%20Karolinska,representa%20una%20de%20las%20principales)

Global Health

• The response to MPOX: African leadership and global responsibility. On June 9, 2025, the WHO Director-General stated that MPOX remains a public health emergency of international concern. The announcement coincides with a surge in cases in Sierra Leone and the emergence of cases in some new countries, such as Ethiopia. The Africa CDC is leading the efforts, yet the number of people vaccinated is only 10% of the target. This is a testament to the post-COVID efforts in an era of collapsing multilateralism (https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(25)01284-X/fulltext)
• Children who report online addiction have worse mental health (https://www.ft.com/content/28097d95-f8da-4e0d-80fb-c4a9d7f65d20)
• More than 13 million people in Africa are at risk of malaria due to US aid cuts. A Lancet study demonstrates the potential impact of Trump’s plans to halve funding by 2025 (https://www.ft.com/content/b5a1d178-6823-4227-8f2d-81a66edbd71e)
• Children to suffer record levels of violence in conflict zones in 2024 (https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2025/jun/20/violence-against-children-conflict-zones-un-report) Access the UN Secretary-General’s Annual Report on Children and Armed Conflict: https://childrenandarmedconflict.un.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Secretary-General-Annual-Report-on-Children-and-Armed-Conflict-Covering-2024.pdf

International Health Policy

• USA
  • Science Article: Congress shows first signs of resisting Trump’s plans to cut science budgets. A House committee rejects cuts to agricultural research, and senators express doubts about cuts to the National Health Institutes and forestry research (https://www.science.org/content/article/congress-shows-first-signs-resisting-trump-s-plans-slash-science-budgets)
  • Why Trump’s pro-natalist plans are ill-conceived. Many international attempts to encourage births have either failed or proven extraordinarily expensive (https://www.economist.com/leaders/2025/06/19/why-magas-pro-natalist-plans-are-ill-conceived)
  • The USA approves a new form of HIV prevention using a twice-yearly injectable treatment. The FDA gives the green light to lenacapavir, a semiannual injectable that prevents infection in almost 100% of cases (https://www.elmunes/ciencia-y-salud/salud/2025/06/19/6853430be4d4d806438b45a1.html)

• China
  • The Sanming model, the reform of the Chinese healthcare system. The Chinese healthcare system has changed significantly since Mao Zedong’s death in 1976, moving from “barefoot doctors” with minimal training to a more institutional approach. The Sanming region has 22 hospitals and 15,000 doctors. It had a large healthcare deficit. After some reforms, it managed to go from deficit to surplus. Perhaps many of these reforms could be introduced elsewhere in China (https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(25)01285-1/fulltext)

• United Kingdom
  • Assisted dying is legal in England and Wales, following parliamentary approval. Those with less than six months of life expectancy will have the opportunity to choose their method of death, following medical and committee approval. MPs had a free vote, and Starmer voted in favor. The NHS will have four years to implement the measure (https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/jun/20/assisted-dying-law-england-and-wales-bill-passed)
  • MPs vote to decriminalize abortion in England and Wales. This will prevent women from being investigated, arrested, prosecuted, and imprisoned for terminating their own pregnancies (https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2025/jun/17/decriminalisation-abortion-vote-mps)
  • All children in England will have a DNA test to assess their risk of disease over the next 10 years. Newborns will undergo genomic sequencing to enable personalized medicine and prevent disease (https://www.theguardian.com/science/2025/jun/20/all-babies-in-england-to-get-dna-test-to-assess-risk-of-diseases-within-10-years)
  • Air pollution kills more than 500 people a week (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/jun/19/uk-toxic-air-killing-people-doctors-warn)
  • Britain’s new way of demoralizing doctors. The system for assigning top positions to British doctors has gone from an exam to a kind of lottery. This was introduced by the NHS in 2024, using a computerized priority system, something strongly opposed by the British Medical Association (https://www.economist.com/britain/2025/06/13/britains-newest-way-of-demoralizing-doctors)

• European Union
  • The EU escalates the tension with China by vetoing large public purchases of its medical supplies. Starting in July, the Union will ban purchases of more than five million medical devices from the Asian giant, unless there are no alternatives. Brussels launches its International Public Procurement Instrument, a new tool to defend EU positions in a context of escalating trade war. (https://elpais.com/economia/2025-06-20/la-ue-eleva-el-pulso-con-china-al-vetar-las-grandes-compras-publicas-de-su-material-sanitario.html)
  • A large European study detects the toxoplasmosis parasite in one in every 25 bagged salads (https://elpais.com/sociedad/2025-06-17/un-gran-estudio-europeo-detecta-el-parasito-de-la-toxoplasmosis-en-una-de-cada-25-ensaladas-en-bolsa.html)
  • Europe advances in prescribing “climate-responsible” inhalers (https://www.consalud.es/politica/europa-prescripcion-inhaladores-climaticamente-responsables.html)
  • EPSCO (Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumers Council) reaffirms its support for the pharmaceutical reform and the Critical Medicines Law. The health ministers insist on a “balanced approach” to the pharmaceutical package (https://diaricom/2025/06/21/epsco-reafirma-el-apoyo-a-la-reforma-farmaceutica-y-ley-de-medicamentos-criticos)

National Health Policy

• Central Administration Initiatives
  • Congress approves the creation of the State Public Health Agency. The PP, Vox, and Junts voted against it. The law will now have to go to the Senate. An amendment is included so that the appointment of the person in charge of the Agency’s management will be made under the principles of equality, merit, and ability. (https://www.elconfidencial.com/salud/2025-06-19/aprobada-la-creacion-de-agencia-de-salud-publica_4154866/)
  • The Ministry accelerates the negotiation of the Framework Statute (https://www.consalud.es/politica/sanidad-acelera-en-la-negociacion-del-estatuto-marco-hasta-cinco-reuniones-antes-de-finalizar-julio.html)

• Autonomous community initiatives
  • The Valdecilla proton therapy will be launched in early 2027 (https://www.consalud.es/autonomias/cantabria/protonterapia-valdecilla-marcha-primeros-2027.html)
  • The Cantabria Health Plan 2025-2029 is being presented, which includes six strategic lines. Among other things, it proposes connecting private healthcare with a clinical data gateway. (https://www.redaccionmedica.com/autonomias/cantabria/cantabria-conectara-a-la-sanidad-privada-con-una-pasarela-de-datos-clinicos-6638). Access to the Cantabria Health Plan: https://www.scsalud.es/documents/20117/200245/Plan%20Salud%20Cantabria%202025-2029.pdf/59ed1418-4fb8-81af-ee4f-0b14750ae83d
  • Doctors who combine public and private healthcare in Asturias will go from losing 1,026 euros to 391 euros. (https://www.elcomercio.es/asturias/medicos-asturias-sanidad-publica-privada-perdida-sueldo-20250620204235-nt.html#:~:text=El%20Gobierno%20autonómico%2C%20que%20durante,de%20percibir%201.026%20euros%20mensuales.)

• Waiting lists
  • The private sector collaborates with the regional governments against waiting lists. ASPE proposes modernizing collaboration methods (https://www.redaccionmedica.com/secciones/privada/la-privada-redirige-su-colaboracion-a-las-ccaa-contra-las-listas-de-espera-5576)

• SEMERGEN
  • Semergen presents an innovation project to transform primary care from the bottom up. The roadmap will be presented in October at the Granada Congress (https://www.diariomedico.com/medicina/profesion/semergen-presenta-proyecto-innovacion-transformar-ap-abajo.html)

Companies

• International
  • Lilly reaches an agreement to acquire the gene-editing biotech company Verve (https://www.ft.com/content/53d021c9-d15f-4471-86ef-e9abfc3ae7db)
  • NovoNordisk’s new drug could beat the weight-loss market leaders (https://www.ft.com/content/d39efa0a-d63d-418c-8208-3bfb1614b9fa)

• National
  • HM Hospitals buys a plot of land in Malaga to build a large hospital (https://www.hmhospitales.com/prensa/notas-de-prensa/hm-hospitales-compra-parcela-centro-malaga-construir-gran-hospital-ciudad)
  • ACS, Sacyr, and FCC are bidding for €43 billion in British hospitals (https://www.expansion.com/empresas/inmobiliario/2025/06/20/68549313e5fdead6388b459a.html)

Summary

The most impactful health news of the week were:

• Biomedicine: The FDA authorizes the first test to diagnose Alzheimer’s.
• Global Health: A new COVID variant is increasing infections.
• International Health Policy: Trump’s tax law, which Musk criticizes for not being aggressive enough, threatens to leave 10.8 million people without health coverage.
• National Health Policy: The Medical Forum supports the strike over the “insufficient” proposed Statute.
• Business: E&Y publishes a report on the behavior of private capital in Spain in healthcare and life sciences.

Biomedicine

• The FDA authorizes the first test to diagnose Alzheimer’s. On May 16, 2025, the FDA authorized the marketing of the first diagnostic device that analyzes blood to diagnose Alzheimer’s.
• From innovation to impact on cardiovascular disease. Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death and is on the rise, rising from 12.4 million in 1990 to 19.8 million in 2022. The WHO estimates that 75% of cardiovascular deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries. There have been recent important discoveries related to cardiovascular disease. Little is known about many aspects of the pathophysiology of cardiovascular disease, specifically heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, despite its frequency.
• From hopelessness to potential cure for a deadly cancer, myeloma. Multiple myeloma was considered an incurable disease. However, a third of patients in a J&J clinical trial are living without detectable disease that would have led to certain death years ago.

Global Health

• A new COVID variant is increasing infections, although the WHO considers the risk to the population “low.”

International Health Policy

• Trump’s tax law, which Musk criticizes for not being aggressive enough, threatens to leave 10.8 million people without health coverage.
• The United States is ceding leadership in creating the future. As the Trump Administration continues to dismantle basic science in the United States, opportunities are being offered to other countries to take the lead.
• Synthetic drugs pose an unprecedented health risk in Europe, according to a report recently released by the EU Drug Agency.

National Health Policy (Spain)

• The Ministry of Health opens the modernization of the Spanish Medicines Agency for public consultation.
• The Medical Forum supports the strike over the “insufficient” proposed Statute.
• The private sector (IDIS) calls for a European legal framework that improves the public/private partnership model, beyond the agreement.

Companies

• International
  • BMS signs an $11 billion agreement for a drug deal with BioNTech.

• National
  • E&Y publishes a report on the behavior of private capital in Spain in healthcare and life sciences. The subsectors expected to show the greatest growth include occupational risk prevention companies, dental clinics, dental technology companies, and medical technology. Healthcare distribution, animal health, nursing homes, nutraceuticals, cosmetics, OTC, and consumer healthcare.

Biomedicine

• From innovation to impact on cardiovascular disease. Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death and is on the rise, rising from 12.4 million in 1990 to 19.8 million in 2022. The WHO estimates that 75% of cardiovascular deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries. There have been recent important discoveries related to cardiovascular disease. Little is known about many aspects of the pathophysiology of cardiovascular disease, specifically heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, despite its prevalence (https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(25)01182-1/fulltext).
• The FDA authorizes the first test to diagnose Alzheimer’s. On May 16, 2025, the FDA authorized the marketing of the first diagnostic device that analyzes blood to diagnose Alzheimer’s (https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-clears-first-blood-test-used-diagnosing-alzheimers-disease)
• The pipeline of Alzheimer’s drugs is extensive. Alzheimer’s is the most common form of dementia. Between 1995 and 2021, $42 billion was spent on research in this field. 140 trials failed. There are currently 182 clinical trials underway in 2025 (https://www.economist.com/science-and-technology/2025/06/03/the-alzheimers-drug-pipeline-is-healthier-than-you-might-think)
• From hopeless to potential cure for the deadly cancer myeloma. Multiple myeloma was considered an incurable disease. However, one-third of patients in a J&J clinical trial are living without detectable disease, which would have led to certain death years ago (https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/03/health/multiple-myeloma-car-t-immunotherapy.html)
• A major meeting (the American Cancer Society) on advances in cancer (https://elpais.com/salud-y-bienestar/2025-06-03/claves-de-la-gran-cita-de-la-oncologia-mundial-caballos-de-troya-y-un-analisis-de-sangre-para-guiar-el-futuro-del-paciente.html)
• A study shows for the first time that exercise works as a medicine against cancer (https://elpais.com/salud-y-bienestar/2025-06-01/un-estudio-muestra-por-primera-vez-que-el-ejercicio-funciona-como-medicina-frente-al-cancer.html). Access the original article: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2502760
• The anti-obesity drugs Ozempic, Mounjaro, or Wegoby may increase the risk of unwanted pregnancy (https://www.expansion.com/directivos/estilo-vida/salud/2025/06/06/6842a76c468aeb003e8b456f.html)

Global Health

• A new COVID variant increases infections, although the WHO considers the risk to the population to be “low” (https://elpais.com/sociedad/2025-06-04/claves-una-nueva-variante-de-covid-eleva-los-contagios-cómo-la-oms-considera-bajo-el-riesgo-para-la-poblacion.html)
• Cancer rates increase more under the age of 60 in women (https://www.larazon.es/salud/cancer-antes-50-anos-dispara-mas-mujeres_20250602683895757b27927d3db56853.html)
• Seven out of ten people with vision problems in Africa do not have access to glasses (https://elpais.com/planeta-futuro/2025-06-05/siete-de-cada-10-personas-con-problemas-de-vision-en-africa-no-tiene-acceso-a-gafas.html)

International Health Policy

• USA
  • Science article: The US is ceding leadership in shaping the future. As the Trump Administration continues to dismantle basic science in the US, opportunities are being offered to other countries to take the lead (https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adz3915)
  • NEJM article: US leadership in research at an uncertain point. In February 2025, the NHI announced that all research grants would be cut by 15%. By conducting medical research, the US has strengthened its strategic advantage for many years. NHI funding systems have been developed judiciously and with bipartisan agreement (https://www.nejm.org/doi/abs/10.1056/NEJMp2502451)
  • Robert D. Kennedy’s statement on vaccines contradicts all decision-making conventions. His recommendation to withhold the COVID vaccine from pregnant women and children surprised experts and prevented committee pronouncements (https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(25)01180-8/fulltext)
  • Trump’s tax law, which Musk criticizes for not being aggressive enough, threatens to leave 10.8 million people without health coverage (https://elpais.com/internacional/2025-06-04/la-ley-fiscal-de-trump-que-critica-musk-amenaza-con-dejar-sin-cobertura-sanitaria-a-109-millones-de-personas.html)

• European Union
  • Synthetic drugs pose an unprecedented health risk in Europe, according to a report recently released by the EU Drug Agency (https://www.lemonde.fr/societe/article/2025/06/05/les-drogues-de-synthese-font-peser-un-risque-sanitaire-inedit-sur-l-europe_6610648_3224.html). Access the original EU document, European Drug Report 2025, Trends and Developments: https://www.euda.europa.eu/publications/european-drug-report/2025_en
  • The EU Council approves its negotiating mandate for the Pharmaceutical Package (https://diariofarma.com/2025/06/05/el-consejo-de-la-ue-aprueba-su-mandato-negociador-para-el-paquete-farmaceutico)

National health policy

• Central government initiatives
  • €10 million in bridging aid until the financial provisions of the ALS Law come into force (https://www.diariomedico.com/medicina/politica/10-millones-medida-puente-ela-avanzada-desarrolle-ley.html)
  • €229 million in government funding to strengthen primary care and mental health (https://elpais.com/sociedad/2025-06-03/el-gobierno-aprueba-229-millones-de-euros-para-reforzar-la-atencion-primaria-y-la-salud-mental.html)
  • The Ministry of Health opens the modernization of the Spanish Medicines Agency for public consultation (https://www.consalud.es/politica/sanidad-consulta-publica-modernizacion-agencia-espanola-medicamento-aemps.html)

• Initiatives from the Autonomous Communities
  • Osakidetza will establish 24-hour assistance for pediatric palliative care at home (https://www.diariomedico.com/medicina/politica/osakidetza-establecera-asistencia-24h-cuidados-paliativos-pediatria-domicilios.html)
  • The Catalan government approves the creation of the Ethics Committee on Regenerative Medicine (https://www.diariomedico.com/medicina/politica/gobierno-catalan-aprueba-creacion-comite-etica-medicina-regenerativa.html)
  • Illa will force private healthcare to appoint “language commissioners” to enforce Catalan (https://www.vozpopuli.com/espana/cataluna/illa-obligara-a-la-sanidad-concertada-a-nombrar-comisarios-lingisticos-para-imponer-el-catalan.html)
  • The CAR-T network of centers will incorporate Navarra, Vigo, and Zaragoza (https://www.diariomedico.com/medicina/hematologia/red-centros-car-t-incorporara-navarra-vigo-zaragoza.html)

• Medical Forum
  • The Medical Forum supports the strike over the “insufficient” Statute proposal (https://www.redaccionmedica.com/secciones/medicina/el-foro-medico-apoya-la-huelga-por-la-insuficiente-propuesta-de-estatuto-2623)

• Public/Private Partnership
  • The private sector (IDIS) calls for a European legal framework that improves the public/private partnership model, going beyond the agreement (https://www.redaccionmedica.com/secciones/privada/la-privada-impulsa-una-via-europea-de-conciertos-mas-alla-del-contrato-5872)

Companies

• International
  • AstraZeneca unveils a drug to treat breast cancer that has begun to spread (https://www.ft.com/content/9c3b90ba-862e-4249-b07d-d63838956fda)
  • The biotech company behind Lilly’s obesity pill calls for new standards of care (https://www.ft.com/content/4fd1fd94-0b70-48fb-861b-3bad6286ebae)
  • BMS signs an $11 billion drug deal with BioNTech (https://www.ft.com/content/6acff1e0-e23e-4a46-a232-9da44ef2d5dd)
  • Hims & Hers seeks to offer a replica of obesity drugs in the UK and Europe (https://www.ft.com/content/9c6d66da-c8c1-444e-b279-ae619689a3fa)

• National
  • Dutch giant IMCD buys Catalan company Ferrer’s food business (https://www.elconfidencial.com/empresas/2025-06-06/imcd-compra-catalana-ferrer-negocio-alimentacion_4145633/)
  • Lilly invests €153 million in the Spanish subsidiary to expand production capacity in anticipation of the arrival of new medicines (https://www.elmundo.es/ciencia-y-salud/salud/2025/06/05/68416687e4d4d8d8388b45c4.html)
  • MSD inaugurates its new headquarters with a renewed commitment to science and sustainability (https://diariofarma.com/2025/06/05/msd-inaugura-su-nueva-sede-con-un-compromiso-renovado-con-la-ciencia-y-la-sostenibilidad)
  • FAES closes the purchase of the Portuguese company Edol to expand its ophthalmology business (https://cincodias.elpais.com/companias/2025-06-04/faes-farma-cierra-la-compra-de-la-portuguesa-edol-y-refuerza-su-presencia-en-oftalmologia.html)
  • Prim prepares a new strategic plan with internationalization as its focus (https://cincodias.elpais.com/companias/2025-06-04/prim-prepara-un-nuevo-plan-estrategico-con-la-internacionalizacion-la-rentabilidad-y-el-dividendo-como-ejes.html)
  • E&Y has released a report on the performance of private equity in Spain in the healthcare and life sciences sectors. The subsectors expected to show the greatest growth include occupational risk prevention companies, dental clinics, dental technology companies, and medical technology. Healthcare distribution, animal health, nursing homes, nutraceuticals, cosmetics, OTC, and consumer healthcare (https://www.ey.com/content/dam/ey-unified-site/ey-com/es-es/insights/ey-insights/documents/ey-informe-capital-privado-salud-health-life-sciences.pdf)