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7 days in healthcare (May 8th-14th, 2023(

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Summary

From the point of view of Biomedicine, it is worth pointing out the expanded “pan-genomic” base, which significantly increases the letters of the DNA, which, apparently, will make it possible to improve the typing and treatment of certain diseases. Promising results of mRNA technology in pancreatic cancer. Potential of stool transplants against some bacteria not sensitive to antibiotics.

As far as Global Health is concerned, although covid is no longer a global emergency, the truth is that, as the WHO itself shows, the disease continues to kill and change.

Regarding International Health Policy, it is worth highlighting the great news coming from the British government, which will allow pharmacies to prescribe certain medications, as well as the contraceptive pill. The objective of the measure is to significantly reduce the number of visits to the primary doctor. In France, patients, faced with overloaded doctors, turn to self-medication. Euthanasia is already legal in Portugal. Great battle in Chile between the Boric government and the Isapres (Chilean health insurers). In a bill, the government, in order to respond to an erga omnes ruling (of universal application) of the Courts, proposes the payment by insurers of alleged amounts for overpayments, which would make the model unfeasible. The Association of Isapres has reacted with a harsh note, answered no less harshly by government spokesmen. Health and specifically the role of the Isapres, at the center of the political debate in Chile.

If we talk about National Health Policy (Spain), the most important news is the proposals by various medical associations (IMAS Foundation, FACME, General Council of Medical Associations) for a decalogue of proposals to reform the SNS, which they consider in total crisis, before the next legislature. New governance; new management model; citizen/patient and professional participation; measurement of results and transparency; new care model; digital transformation according to the citizen’s digital clinical history model, are some of the most important measures. We only have to congratulate those responsible for this initiative, which contrasts so much with the limited and timid proposals put forward by the majority political parties. To those parties (PSOE and PP) the proposals were raised in a meeting. The only possible consideration is whether a reform of the public system is possible without mentioning a limited and selective co-payment, the absence of which we are the exception in Europe, as well as the non-consideration of the private sector in that reform. Looking the other way from the private sector has never produced good results. On the other hand, the document emphasizes its proposal for changes in the management and care model, governance, the participation of citizens/patients and professionals, and transparency. But he doesn’t mention financing at all. Although financing as an isolated reform (which is very common to consider) would not solve much, this issue has specific problems. Having made these qualifications, as a whole it is a splendid document, a must-read. The Constitutional Court publishes the ruling declaring the 2010 law on abortion deadlines legal. A study in Catalonia shows that the rich wait less on the lists of Catalan public hospitals than the rest of the population, something that had already been demonstrated in the UK on the NHS. The CEOE-union agreement includes the control of sick leave by Mutual Societies, something whose real scope will have to wait to see its effects. The truth is that absenteeism had increased a lot in recent times.

In the field of Companies, at the international level, drugs for weight loss point to an area of great economic interest for the pharmaceutical industry. In Spain, the most striking thing is Fresenius’s intention to get rid of the part of Quirón in Latin America, as well as the fertility company Eugin. Mutua Madrileña and El Corte Inglés launch medical insurance under the Adeslas brand.

Biomedicine

Global Health

International Health Policy

  • Chili
    • The Boric government against the Isapres (private health insurance companies in Chile). In a bill, the government, in order to respond to an erga omnes ruling (of universal application) of the Courts, proposes the payment by insurers of alleged amounts for overpayments, which would make the model unfeasible. Hard note from the Association of Isapres, which has obtained a no less harsh response from the Government. (http://www.isapre.cl/images/PDF/Declaracion_Prensa_19_abril_VFdocx_1.pdf)

National health policy

Companies

 

 

7 days in healthcare (September 26th-October 2nd, 2022)

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Summary

From the point of view of Biomedicine, to review the advances, still to be confirmed, in the treatment of two terrible diseases: ALS and Alzheimer’s.

Regarding Global Health, concerns continue about the evolution of polio, whose eradication was announced in 2019, but which is reappearing in several countries.

Regarding International health policy, it is worth noting the similarities between the covid-zero policy in China and the era of prohibition in the United States, something pointed out by The Economist. Very worrying is the “burnout” of doctors, a phenomenon highlighted by the New York Times in the United States, but which seems to be universal.

If we talk about National health policy (Spain), the debates on the Equity Law continue. The update of the RD on the minimum data set of the SNS leaves out the private sector, despite the opposition of the POP, IMAS Foundation, IDIS Foundation and ASPE. It is a modification of a 2010 RD, but in twelve years the private sector has developed a lot and it is no longer so easy to leave it out in certain decisions. The Senate rejects the PP’s motion to facilitate access to medicines and reduce the time it takes to join the SNS. Surely the motion of the PP was too vague and, at this point, it is necessary to explain very well the “what” and the “how” of any proposal.

At the corporate level, at the international level, big rise in Biogen shares, spurred by what appear to be hopeful results from its Alzheimer’s drug. At the national level, there are rumors that KKR and CVC could be trying to buy Quirónsalud, currently in the hands of the German group Fresenius, which has recently changed its CEO. The Murcian company Vócali develops the Inbox Medical software for transcription of medical reports.

Biomedicine

Global Health

International health policy

National health policy

Companies

 

7 days in healthcare (September 5th-11th, 2022)

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Summary

From the point of view of Biomedicine, to highlight the work that shows an association between artificial sweeteners and increased cardiovascular risk. Also that air pollution causes lung cancer.

As far as Global Health is concerned, apart from the serious humanitarian crises in Pakistan and Somalia, the most promising is the new malaria vaccine, which could be operational as early as 2023.

Regarding international health policy, assisted suicide and euthanasia are news in Canada (where the rate of euthanasia is very high and there is concern) and in France (which is considering passing a law). Macron has launched a major national debate on this issue, following a report to appear next week from the Ethics Committee. This great debate on such a delicate subject was missed in Spain. Certain issues should not be subject only to conjunctural parliamentary majorities, but should be preceded by a great national debate. It is also worth mentioning that Chile rejected the draft Constitution in a referendum. According to an article published in El País, doubts about the possibility of choosing the health system (the continuity of the ISAPRES, as health insurers are called in Chile), is one of the causes of this rejection.

If we talk about national health policy (Spain), it should be noted that Aragón proposes a great debate on the efficiency of the National Health System, a brave and valuable initiative. It will first analyze the Aragonese health system, and then share that analysis with the rest of the autonomies. Also that the Ministry of Health promises to change the law to favor the local manufacture of medicines. It is also worth underlining the pronouncement of the Catalan Evaluation Agency, on the need for a state policy for the digital transformation of the health system and the promotion of telemedicine.

In the field of companies, from the international point of view, to mention the purchase of Signify a home care group by CVS (an American pharmaceutical chain), in a process in which Amazon also showed interest. In terms of news at the national level, to highlight the great investment of Novartis in our country.

Biomedicine

Global Health

International health policy

National health policy

Companies