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7 days in healthcare (November 20th-26th, 2023)

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Summary

From the point of view of Biomedicine, in the United Kingdom an initiative aims to be able to produce medicines for individual patients in less than a year. According to the National Bureau for Economic Research (NBER) of the United States, artificial intelligence, even with use cases already developed, will produce savings in healthcare expenses between 5-10%. This will offset the rise in other expenses in the sector, such as new medicines and medical technologies.

As far as Global Health is concerned, there is a relationship between the pattern of economic income and obesity, which occurs more in low-income workers, in relation to those with higher incomes. The fight against climate change has already produced some results. The COP28 conference, which will take place starting next week in Dubai, is expected to produce a declaration on climate and health. Polio is about to be eradicated in a few months, but the great challenge is that it does not return, since eradication is not the same as extinction.

Regarding International Health Policy, in its latest issue The Economist dedicates a supplement to forecasts for 2024. Among the 10 general forecasts, there is one that says that in an older world, health expenditures will grow to reach one tenth of global GDP. Among the specific health forecasts, it is noted that the pandemic has led to a growth in public spending on health (up to 80%, starting from 75%). Growth in private activity and an increase in the global pharmaceutical market is expected, with research efforts concentrating on medications against obesity and mRNA patents. In the United States, there is evidence of the inadequacy of private health insurance to provide financial security to the elderly for long-term care. Important agreement in the United Kingdom between the NHS and pharmaceutical companies, with which an annual growth in spending on medicines of 4% is agreed until 2027. Surely, an example for many countries, including Spain. Also in the United Kingdom, an agreement between the NHS and community pharmacies for the provision of a series of services, which will mean a large reduction in consultations in Primary Care. The health insurance boom in the United Kingdom, due to the problems of the NHS, is revealing certain limitations of private health insurance to meet demand. Something similar to what happens in Spain. Important document from the WHO (European region) and the Observatory on health systems, in which several governments participate, including the Spanish one, talking about the convenience of the participation of the private sector in the public health service, establishing the requirements for this to be successful. European countries warn of the health problems of climate change, since Europe is the continent in which temperatures have risen the most.

If we talk about National Health Policy (Spain), new change in the Ministry of Health. Going to minister for a year or less does not seem like the best formula to address the long-term challenges of healthcare, without prejudice to the qualities of the new minister, which will have to be observed. Record in the waiting list, after the publication of the lists as of June 30 by the Ministry of Health. Important study on obesity in Spain published by the Carlos III Health Institute and AESAN, which demonstrates the relationship between the level of obesity and the postal district. A study by the Institute of Fiscal Studies shows that between the beginning of 2020 and the end of 2022, the number of doctors in the SNS has decreased by 17,000, despite the fact that the number of staff has increased globally. The Valencian Community launches a specific competition for positions that are difficult to fill. Aside from the approach of the tender, it is good that the specificities of this type of places are taken into account. There is no doubt that the standardizing approach to personnel policy does not allow us to solve certain problems, such as what are now called difficult-to-fill positions. Farmaindustria carries out, in collaboration with scientific societies, a study on clinical research in Primary Care. We are a powerhouse in clinical research in hospitals and there is no doubt that the bases of this success must be extended to other environments.

In the field of Companies, on an international level, problems in Bayer with a sharp drop in the stock, which the CEO of this company attributes to a limited pipeline, a consequence of a lack of effort in investment. At the national level, Vithas confirms its new hospital project in Valencia. For its part, Sanitas announces an investment to grow in nursing homes.

Biomedicine

Global Health

International health policy

  • European Union
    • European countries warn of the health problem of climate change. It is estimated that last summer there were 62,000 deaths in Europe due to heat, since this is the continent with the highest temperature rises. 18 member states ask the European Commission and ECDC for action (https://www.ft.com/content/52e71922-d9fc-49b6-98b5-3a4d37c21dbc)

National health policy

Companies

 

7 days in healthcare (September 18th-24th, 2023)

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Summary

From the point of view of Biomedicine, Nature magazine in an article returns to artificial intelligence as an accelerator of the introduction of new medicines, also making the process less expensive. A second patient is implanted with a genetically modified pig heart. The prospects for transplants with animal organs are opening up more and more. Google (Deep Mind) identifies millions of mutations in proteins capable of generating disease, which will allow a much better understanding of numerous diseases.

Regarding Global Health, article in Science about the eradication of polio, which was a goal for the year 2000, but not yet achieved. Despite the success of vaccination campaigns, polio is still present in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Nature magazine warns of the danger that the pandemic treaty will not be concluded by 2024, as was the objective. The need to make vaccines accessible to everyone in all countries and the protection of intellectual property through patents, in contradiction, hinders progress.

Regarding International Health Policy, JAMA reviews the historic negotiation by Medicare of the price of prescription drugs, exposing the reservations of pharmaceutical companies and the different demands presented by each of them to the American government. Prime Minister Sunak is considering the possibility of banning the use of tobacco for new generations, in a way similar to that implemented in New Zealand. A report from the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) states that in the United Kingdom there were 240,000 deaths in the period 2010-2020, which could have been avoided if standards of care on the European average had been applied. This is largely attributed to difficulties in access (in other words, waiting lists).

If we talk about National Health Policy (Spain), after an attempt at regional rebellion, the Ministry has had to withdraw the measure that provided for vaccination of health workers with the Hipra vaccine, not adapted for the new strains. Although the Ministry has not yet made public the announced report on the management of Covid, commissioned from four well-known experts, a group of prestigious academics has just published a valuable report on healthcare at the post-Covid crossroads. Changes in health are announced in both the Community of Madrid and Valencia. Time will tell if these changes address the real problems or remain cosmetic changes, to which some politicians are so accustomed. In Madrid, the final destination of the Zendal hospital does not seem to be clear, apart from its temporary use as a center for ALS. It is the consequence of building a large center without an adequate functional plan. The valuable EPINE report shows that more than 7,000 deaths occurred each year in Spain as a result of nosocomial infections. The conflict between doctors and health insurers, which began in Seville, threatens to spread to other communities, including Madrid.

In the field of Companies, on an international level, Abbot plans to acquire Bigfoot Biomedical at the end of 2023. On a national level, Novo Nordisk plans to open a technological and digital headquarters in Spain, which, if confirmed, would be excellent news.

Biomedicine

Global Health

International health policy

National health policy

Companies