Julián García Vargas, the minister who implemented the General Health Act and drove the Abril Report, has died; 7 days in healthcare (September 28th-October 4th, 2026)

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Summary

News of the week:

  • Julián García Vargas has passed away. Minister of Health (1986–1991), he implemented the then-newly approved General Health Act, founded the ONT (National Transplant Organization) and the Carlos III Health Institute, and drove the Abril Report.

The most impactful healthcare news stories of the week were:

  • Biomedicine: Researcher Helen Hobbs wins the 6th “Abarca Prize” for her contribution to the genetics of cardiovascular diseases.
  • Global health: Life expectancy has nearly returned to pre-pandemic levels, according to a WHO report.
  • International health policy: Burnham (British politician): the new NHS-style National Care Service will be funded through pension reform.
  • National health policy: The housing crisis is overshadowing the healthcare policy agenda, with a possible general election on the horizon.
  • Companies: The European Commission projects that the digital health market will grow fivefold by 2035.

Biomedicine

  • Researcher Helen Hobbs wins the 6th “Abarca Prize” for her contribution to the genetics of cardiovascular diseases. She defined the relationship between LDL-C levels and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.
  • Understanding peripheral artery disease in the modern era. Atherosclerotic disease remains the leading cause of premature death; while attention is primarily focused on the heart and brain, there is a growing prevalence of this condition affecting the lower limbs.
  • Cancer: one in eight cases globally is linked to infections such as Epstein-Barr. The study was conducted by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).

Global Health

  • Life expectancy has nearly returned to pre-pandemic levels, according to a WHO report. However, recovering years of good health appears to be taking longer. •Ebola in the DR Congo: death toll reaches 4,000.

International Health Policy

  • Burnham: the new NHS-style National Care Service will be funded through pension reform to avoid raising taxes.
  • According to RFK Jr., AI should be promoted to fight “medical tyranny,” whereas many American voters fear AI could threaten their livelihoods.
  • Australia battles the black market for tobacco following years of tax hikes; continued tobacco tax increases can lead to such effects.
  • Brazil: The government is considering adding anti-obesity medications to the SUS (Unified Health System).
  • Chile: issues regarding the ease of obtaining medical leave certificates.
  • The OECD calculates the cost of preparing for a future pandemic: “It is an affordable investment.” The organization estimates a one-in-two chance of another pandemic similar to COVID-19 within the next 25 years and calls for proactive measures, such as increased epidemiological surveillance and prevention strategies.

National Health Policy (Spain)

  • Julián García Vargas has passed away. Minister of Health (1986–1991), he implemented the then-newly approved General Health Law, founded the National Transplant Organization (ONT) and the Carlos III Health Institute, and championed the Abril Report.
  • The housing crisis is overshadowing the health policy agenda amidst the prospect of a general election. Political turmoil surrounding housing decrees is sidelining major healthcare reforms as uncertainty regarding the legislative term grows.
  • The Ministry of Health announces the provision of medical abortions in primary care centers. Minister Mónica García has announced plans to initiate the process of modifying the product specifications for mifepristone and updating the common package of health services.
  • The Xunta (Galician regional government) will reform primary care payment models to reward the management of complex patient cases and improve working conditions. The new remuneration model, which will cover all professional categories, also takes into account geographical dispersion and factors such as isolation or working in remote locations.
  • Galicia is allocating €45 million to a plan aimed at preventing work-related medical leave and facilitating the return to work. The President of the Xunta, Alfonso Rueda, announced that the regional cabinet approved the ‘Comprehensive Plan for Improving Prevention, Workplace Well-being, and a Healthy Return to Work in Galicia (2026–2029)’ this Monday. This roadmap—described as “pioneering in Spain”—is the result of an agreement reached through the Social Dialogue process involving the Galician government, the UGT-Galicia trade union, and the Confederation of Galician Employers.
  • Galicia will launch a strategic plan for digital health (2027–2030). In 2027, the Regional Ministry of Health will implement a new strategic roadmap to integrate emerging technologies and continue modernizing the Galician public healthcare system.
  • Doctors have called for an indefinite national strike starting October 28, though unions from Madrid, Catalonia, and Galicia are not participating.
  • •Feijóo proposes allowing mutual insurance companies to authorize a return to work for certain medical leave cases. The PP’s proposal would expand these entities’ authority regarding the management of temporary disability.
  • Healthcare spending projections in Spain, according to the Institute of Actuaries. A study presented by the Spanish Institute of Actuaries (IAE) estimates that public health spending could range from 9.25% to 11.01% of GDP by 2070, depending on the assumptions used.

Companies

  • International

o              The European Commission forecasts a fivefold increase in the digital health market by 2035.

o              Novartis reaches a $7.8 billion agreement with China’s Abogen for an mRNA drug.

  • Domestic
  • Health clinics are breaking away from insurers: 15% are already seeking patients elsewhere. Tensions between major insurers and medical professionals over frozen reimbursement rates are driving many clinics to reduce their reliance on insurers and shift toward a new model based on private, direct-pay patients.

Biomedicine

  • Researcher Helen Hobbs wins the 6th “Abarca Prize” for her contribution to the genetics of cardiovascular diseases. She defined the relationship between LDL-C levels and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (https://www.elespanol.com/invertia/observatorios/sanidad/20261001/helen-hobbs-ganadora-vi-abarca-prize-aportacion-genetica-enfermedades-cardiovasculares/1003744404639_0.html)
  • Are GLP-1 drugs rewriting the history of weight loss and mental illness? Companies offering these medications are providing more than just the possibility of losing weight (https://www.theatlantic.com/health/2026/09/mental-health-weight-loss-glp1/688823/)
  • Understanding peripheral artery disease in the modern era. Atherosclerotic disease remains the leading cause of premature death; while attention is primarily focused on the heart and brain, there is a growing prevalence of this condition affecting the lower limbs (https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(26)00846-9/fulltext)
  • A large-scale national (UK) comparison of outcomes between conventional and robotic hip replacement surgeries. No significant differences found in survival rates, reasons for revision, or intraoperative complications (https://www.bmj.com/content/394/bmj-2026-100709)
  • Cancer: one in eight cases globally linked to infections such as Epstein-Barr. The study was conducted by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) (https://www.bmj.com/content/395/bmj-2026-101015)
  • AI-powered medical devices must be tested in real-world settings, similar to the testing required for pharmaceuticals or autonomous vehicles (https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-026-03046-7)
  • Menopause: thrombosis risk associated with hormonal treatments confirmed in a large Danish study published in the *BMJ* (https://www.lemonde.fr/sciences/article/2026/09/27/menopause-le-risque-de-thrombose-associe-aux-traitements-hormonaux-oraux-confirme-par-une-vaste-etude_6783761_1650684.html) Access the original article: https://www.bmj.com/content/394/bmj-2026-100688
  • Results for a new pancreatic cancer drug that extended survival are being questioned; it appears that drug resistance develops in some cases (https://www.nytimes.com/2026/09/30/science/pancreatic-cancer-drug-daraxonrasib-ben-sasse-resistance.html)
  • Several EU countries are testing the first public advanced therapy for leukemia, developed in Spain. This was developed at the Clínic de Barcelona (https://www.elespanol.com/invertia/observatorios/sanidad/20261001/varios-paises-ue-prueban-primera-terapia-avanzada-publica-europea-origen-espanol-leucemia/1003744403511_0.html)
  • An AI system can predict pancreatic cancer risk three years before diagnosis with 85% accuracy (https://www.elespanol.com/invertia/observatorios/sanidad/20260928/ia-capaz-predecir-riesgo-cancer-pancreas-anos-diagnostico-precision/1003744397796_0.html)
  • The unexpected side effect of GLP-1 medications (https://www.larazon.es/salud/inesperado-efecto-secundario-medicamentos-glp1_202610016abbee23a520494aafd9709c.html)
  • Cancer rates among young people keep rising, but the concern goes beyond just the number of cases (https://www.elconfidencial.com/salud/2026-10-04/el-cancer-preocupa-entre-los-jovenes-y-no-solo-por-el-numero-de-casos_4436343/)

Global Health

  • Fiji declares a national emergency over HIV (https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(26)01983-5/fulltext)
  • Life expectancy is nearly back to pre-pandemic levels, according to… •A WHO report. It appears that recovering years of good health is taking longer (https://sante.lefigaro.fr/social/sante-publique/l-esperance-de-vie-est-quasiment-revenue-a-son-niveau-d-avant-la-pandemie-de-covid-dans-le-monde-20261002)
  • Ebola in the DR Congo: death toll reaches 4,000 (https://www.lemonde.fr/afrique/article/2026/10/03/ebola-en-rdc-la-pire-epidemie-de-l-histoire-du-pays-franchit-la-barre-des-4-000-morts_6787324_3212.html)
  • Bangladesh warns that the dengue epidemic could worsen (https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/bangladesh-warns-dengue-outbreak-could-worsen-after-deadly-september-2026-10-01/)

International health policy

  • USA

o              Divisions within MAHA reveal that not everything is going smoothly with RFK Jr.’s “health revolution” (https://www.ft.com/content/a1bff0d7-be5a-434f-8856-c45337b9449f?syn-25a6b1a6=1)

o              According to RFK Jr., AI must be promoted to fight “medical tyranny,” whereas many American voters fear that AI could threaten their lives (https://www.politico.com/news/2026/09/29/rfk-maha-summit-artificial-intelligence-01098696)

o              The overturning of *Roe* (the US Supreme Court ruling that established a constitutional right to abortion) changed doctors; now it is changing politics (https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2026/10/03/abortion-doctors-politics-roe-dobbs-01105039)

  • United Kingdom

o              The National Care Service may not launch until 2030; proposals suggest it would be funded through pension spending reform (https://www.ft.com/content/e9f2345f-6d7b-4fbb-831a-5fe576317701?syn-25a6b1a6=1)

o              What does the Prime Minister mean by “National Care Service”? Free at the point of use (https://www.nuffieldtrust.org.uk/news-item/what-does-the-prime-minister-mean-by-a-national-care-service)

o              Burnham: the new NHS-style National Care Service will be funded through pension reform (https://www.bmj.com/content/394/bmj-2026-100995)

o              NHS activists oppose Palantir. The goal is to pressure the NHS to end its relationship with the company (https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(26)01982-3/fulltext)

o              The Neighbourhood Centers envisaged in the 10-year health plan for England can learn from similar successful models in other countries. It appears that Brazil, Singapore, and New Zealand are among the examples being considered (https://www.bmj.com/content/395/bmj-2026-101003)

  • France

o              West Nile virus is spreading in France, reaching 145 human cases. It is transmitted from birds to humans via the common mosquito (https://www.lemonde.fr/planete/article/2026/10/02/le-virus-west-nile-flambe-en-france-atteignant-un-record-de-145-cas-humains_6787189_3244.html)

  • Australia

o              Australia is battling the black market for tobacco following years of tax increases. Continued increases in tobacco taxes can have those effects (https://www.ft.com/content/d2916f8b-c53b-4c64-a9f8-37807bf5383f?syn-25a6b1a6=1)

o              The Medicare breach in Australia alerts global cyber-defense to the role of AI in hybrid attacks. The intrusion of a commercial algorithm into the Australian health system exposes the extreme vulnerability of healthcare infrastructure to intelligence and sabotage operations (https://www.consalud.es/politica/la-brecha-de-medicare-en-australia-alerta-a-la-ciberdefensa-global-sobre-el-papel-de-la-ia-en-los-ataques-hibridos.html)

  • Latin America

o              Brazil

               The government is considering adding anti-obesity drugs to the SUS (Unified Health System) (https://www1.folha.uol.com.br/equilibrioesaude/2026/09/ministro-da-saude-preve-caneta-emagrecedora-no-sus-para-milhoes-e-custo-de-r-15-bi-por-ano.shtml)

               Public healthcare takes center stage in the Brazilian presidential elections (https://www1.folha.uol.com.br/equilibrioesaude/2026/09/como-os-presidenciaveis-querem-melhorar-a-saude-publica-no-brasil.shtml)

               A study analyzes the efficiency of public hospitals (https://www1.folha.uol.com.br/equilibrioesaude/2026/09/estudo-mostra-que-organizacoes-sociais-elevam-produtividade-e-aumentam-internacoes-em-hospitais.shtml)

o              Chile

               Issue regarding medical leave certificates that are easily obtained (https://noticias.unab.cl/encuesta-de-salud-unab-senala-que-persiste-idea-de-facilidad-para-obtener-licencia-medica-a-pesar-de-efecto-contraloria/)

o              Peru

               Reports of rodents at a hospital in Piura (https://elcomercio.pe/peru/piura/piura-denuncian-la-presencia-de-roedores-en-el-area-de-dengue-del-hospital-de-essalud-ii-en-sullana-ultimas-noticia/)

o              Colombia

               Lung cancer alert in Bogotá: cigarettes and vapes among the main factors (https://citytv.eltiempo.com/programas/arriba-bogota/alerta-en-bogota-por-cancer-de-pulmon-cigarrillos-y-vapeadores-entre-los-principales-factores_95795)

National Health Policy

  • Death of Julián García Vargas

o              Minister of Health (1986–1991); he implemented the then-recently approved General Health Act, founded the National Transplant Organization (ONT) and the Carlos III Health Institute, and drove the Abril Report (https://www.eldebate.com/obituarios/20260930/servidor-publico-companero-amigo_464193.html)

  • Central Administration

o              The housing crisis overshadows the health policy agenda, with a possible general election on the horizon. Political turmoil surrounding housing decrees sidelines major healthcare reforms as uncertainty regarding the legislative term grows (https://gacetamedica.com/politica/crisis-vivienda-agenda-politica-sanitaria-elecciones-generales/)

o              The Ministry of Health announces the provision of medical abortion in primary care centers. Minister Mónica García has announced plans to initiate the process of modifying the technical specifications for mifepristone and updating the common service portfolio (https://www.diariomedico.com/medicina/politica/sanidad-anuncia-aborto-farmacologico-centros-atencion-primaria.html)

o              Primary care physicians accuse the Ministry of announcing the medical abortion initiative behind their backs. The Spanish Society of General and Family Physicians believes the measure could improve equity and access for women, but calls for resources, training, protocols, and prior consultation with professionals (https://www.vozpopuli.com/sanitatem/los-medicos-de-familia-acusan-a-sanidad-de-anunciar-el-aborto-farmacologico-en-primaria-a-sus-espaldas-no-se-ha-contado-con-los-profesionales.html)

o              Regional governments oppose the approval of the decree on waiting lists (https://www.elespanol.com/invertia/observatorios/sanidad/20260928/ccaa-oponen-aprobacion-real-decreto-listas-espera-quedan-temas-aclarar/1003744396886_0.html)

o              Mónica García’s bill to limit private management of public hospitals remains in parliamentary limbo (https://www.elespanol.com/invertia/observatorios/sanidad/20260929/ley-monica-garcia-limitar-gestion-privada-hospitales-publicos-queda-limbo-parlamentario/1003744400373_0.html)

o              The Ministry of Health lays the groundwork for obtaining Medical Genetics and Laboratory Medicine qualifications via an extraordinary pathway (https://www.redaccionmedica.com/politica/ministerio-sanidad/20261002/sanidad-sienta-las-bases-para-acceder-los-titulos-de-genetica-medica-laboratorio-por-via-extraordinaria/354681_0.html)

  • Regional administrations

o              The Xunta …will reform primary care payment structures to reward patient complexity and working conditions. The new remuneration model, which will cover all professional categories, also takes into account geographic dispersion, isolation, and remoteness factors (https://www.diariomedico.com/medicina/politica/xunta-reformara-pago-ap-premiar-complejidad-pacientes-condiciones-trabajo.html)

o              Galicia is allocating €45 million to a plan aimed at preventing work absences and facilitating the return to work. Xunta President Alfonso Rueda announced that the Council approved the ‘Comprehensive Plan for Improving Prevention, Workplace Well-being, and a Healthy Return to Work in Galicia 2026-2029’ this Monday; this roadmap is “pioneering in Spain” and stems from an agreement reached within the framework of Social Dialogue between the Galician government, the UGT-Galicia trade union, and the Confederation of Galician Employers (https://www.redaccionmedica.com/autonomias/galicia/20260928/galicia-destina-millones-un-plan-para-prevenir-bajas-laborales-facilitar-la-reincorporacion/354089_0.html)

o              Galicia will launch a strategic plan for digital health (2027–2030). In 2027, the Department of Health will launch a new strategic roadmap to integrate emerging technologies and continue modernizing the Galician public health system (https://gacetamedica.com/politica/galicia-plan-estrategico-salud-digital/)

o              Catalonia allocates €27 million to boost healthcare AI and medical imaging interoperability (https://www.redaccionmedica.com/innovacion/sanidad-digital/20261001/cataluna-destina-millones-impulsar-la-ia-sanitaria-interoperabilidad-de-imagen-medica/354446_0.html)

o              Son Espases (Balearic Islands) promotes a Personalized Medicine Institute. The new center will strengthen the prevention and diagnosis of rare diseases and cancer using state-of-the-art genomic technology (https://www.redaccionmedica.com/autonomias/20260929/son-espases-impulsa-el-primer-instituto-de-medicina-personalizada-baleares/354203_0.html)

  • •The Ceuta conflict

o              Ceuta’s health challenge: dozens of cases of tuberculosis, scabies, and chickenpox emerge among migrants. Authorities in the Autonomous City have confirmed official diagnoses of 8 cases of tuberculosis, 15 of chickenpox, and an outbreak involving 29 cases of scabies (https://www.vozpopuli.com/espana/el-desafio-sanitario-de-ceuta-afloran-decenas-de-casos-de-tuberculosis-sarna-y-varicela-en-inmigrantes.html)

  • Medical dispute regarding professional status

o              Doctors call for an indefinite national strike starting October 28, without the participation of unions from Madrid, Catalonia, and Galicia (https://www.elespanol.com/invertia/observatorios/sanidad/20260928/medicos-convocan-huelga-nacional-indefinida-sin-sindicatos-madrid-cataluna-galicia/1003744399689_0.html)

  • Sick leave

o              Feijóo proposes allowing mutual insurance associations to authorize a return to work for certain medical leave cases. The PP’s proposal would expand the powers of these entities regarding the management of temporary disability (https://www.redaccionmedica.com/politica/20260929/feijoo-plantea-que-las-mutuas-puedan-dar-el-alta-en-algunas-bajas-medicas/354246_0.html)

  • Medicines Act

o              Healthcare professionals, politicians, and patients call for changes to the Medicines Act (https://diariofarma.com/2026/10/02/profesion-politicos-y-pacientes-piden-cambios-en-el-proyecto-de-ley-de-medicamentos)

  • Proton therapy

o              Spain to have Europe’s largest proton therapy network. Spain will have proton therapy machines available at eleven public healthcare centers. Ten of these were acquired thanks to a €280 million donation from the Amancio Ortega Foundation (https://forbes.es/health/1030260/espana-ultima-preparativos-para-contar-con-la-mayor-red-publica-de-protonterapia-de-europa/)

  • Healthcare spending in Spain

o              Healthcare spending projections for Spain, according to the Institute of Actuaries. A study presented by the Spanish Institute of Actuaries (IAE) estimates that public health spending could range from 9.25% to 11.01% of GDP by 2070, depending on the assumptions used (https://actuarios.org/2026/09/25/gasto-salud/). Access to the original document: https://actuarios.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/20260925-GastoSalud_ESD.pdf

  • Pharmacists

o              Pharmacists adopt a “Decalogue” (Oviedo Decalogue) at their National Congress (https://diariofarma.com/2026/10/01/declaracion-de-asturias-la-farmacia-pide-integrar-los-spfa-en-la-cartera-del-sns)

Companies

  • International

o              Novartis reaches a $7.8 billion deal for an mRNA drug with China’s Abogen (https://www.reuters.com/legal/litigation/novartis-strikes-about-78-billion-mrna-deal-with-chinas-abogen-2026-10-02/)

o              Novo acquires rights to a Chinese weight-loss pill for $2.6 billion (https://www.ft.com/content/ea8f48de-d2e4-4c0b-bccf-1f310660d8c7?syn-25a6b1a6=1)

o              Fresenius completes the acquisition of Mabxience, which will continue serving its current clients (https://www.redaccionmedica.com/empresas/20261001/fresenius-completa-la-adquisicion-de-mabxience-que-continuara-prestando-servicio-sus-clientes-actuales/354420_0.html)

o              The European Commission projects the digital health market will grow fivefold by 2035 (https://forbes.es/health/1034457/mercado-salud-digital/)

o              David Ricks, Global CEO of Lilly: “Europe has to decide; if it wants new medicines, prices must rise” (https://www.elespanol.com/invertia/observatorios/sanidad/20260930/david-ricks-ceo-global-lilly-europa-decidir-quiere-nuevos-medicamentos-subir-precios/1003744401925_0.html)

  • Domestic

o              Health clinics are breaking away from… Insurers: 15% are already seeking patients elsewhere. Tension between major insurers and medical professionals over frozen reimbursement rates is driving many clinics to reduce their reliance on insurers and shift toward a new model based on private, direct-pay patients (https://theobjective.com/economia/2026-10-04/clinicas-salud-desenganchan-aseguradoras-pacientes/)

o              AstraZeneca announces layoffs in Spain to reduce its workforce of nearly 2,000 employees. The pharmaceutical company has issued formal notice to union representatives and scheduled the first negotiating committee meeting for October 13 (https://www.elconfidencial.com/empresas/2026-10-03/astrazeneca-comunica-despidos-en-espana_4437198/)

o              Grifols and PharmaMar avoid Trump’s 15% tariffs, while Almirall limits their impact (https://www.eleconomista.es/salud-bienestar/noticias/14017502/09/26/grifols-y-pharmamar-eluden-el-arancel-del-15-de-trump-y-almirall-acota-su-impacto.html)

o              Antitrust authorities approve Ribera’s acquisition of HCB Hospitales, subject to conditions (https://www.eleconomista.es/salud-bienestar/noticias/14017511/09/26/competencia-autoriza-a-ribera-la-compra-de-hcb-hospitales-con-condiciones.html)