Posts

7 days in healthcare (April, 1st-7th, 2024)

/in /by

 

Summary

From the point of view of Biomedicine, the report published by the French National Academy of Medicine on generative AI systems in health is worth highlighting. It makes 10 recommendations, the first of which is that all health professionals should be trained in the use of generative AI. It seems that anti-obesity medications (initially, anti-diabetes) may be the closest thing to a universal panacea. There is already evidence that they can have benefits in many other diseases: heart, kidney, liver, brain (Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s), as well as other organs.

With regard to Global Health, concern continues over the difficulties of advancing the Pandemic Treaty. The Treaty aims to prevent governments, institutions and populations from the errors of the covid-19 pandemic. In this sense, a more than interesting article by Mariana Mazzucato on aspects related to innovation, intellectual property (IP), public/private collaboration and financing. The Lancet speaks out in an editorial against the use of starvation (the total lack of food and mass famine) as a weapon of war, as we have seen in the war in Sudan and currently in Gaza, where Israeli action is taking on dimensions of destruction of Gaza, with the consequent health and humanitarian problems. Prostate cancer cases will double between 2020 and 2040.

Regarding International Health Policy, the French Prime Minister, Gabriel Attal, proposes a fine of five euros for those who miss scheduled medical appointments. But possibly the most far-reaching news is President Petro’s actions in healthcare in Colombia, with the intervention of the two largest EPS (Health Promotion Entities). This breaks the approach of the Colombian health system based since 1993 on Law 100, which established public/private collaboration through the EPS, companies that received public aid and were in charge of providing health services to their insured population. There is no doubt that the proliferation of populist governments in Latin America is a threat against any form of public/private collaboration in healthcare, as is also the case in Chile where ISAPRES (private insurers that receive public aid) are also threatened. The universalization of health coverage – something absolutely defensible and one of the great advances of our time, today in full expansion – leads some to interpret this as a monopoly of health care by the State and even a colonization of the management model by the traditional Administration, thus breaking a desirable freedom of choice, as well as a certain competition for the coexistence of different management models.

If we talk about National Health Policy (Spain), the Interterritorial Council of the National Health System unanimously supports the Comprehensive Plan for the Prevention and Control of Smoking. However, the Plan is fundamentally a roadmap and a declaration of intentions, some of which will have to be materialized through laws, with the uncertainty regarding the approval of new laws generated by the situation of the current legislature. The plan aims to increase smoke-free spaces (not specified); avoid promoting tobacco products; access to smoking cessation programs; equate electronic cigarettes with conventional tobacco; and, increase taxes on tobacco. The most controversial thing may be to equate electronic cigarettes with conventional tobacco, since the risks and damage to health are not comparable. A recent article in the New England Journal of Medicine states that there is sufficient evidence to show that switching from cigarettes to e-cigarettes reduces exposure to tobacco toxins, reduces respiratory symptoms and reverses physiological changes related to smoking cigarettes. The Government’s Regulatory Plan for 2024 announces four laws in the health field: 1. statute-framework; 2. law of guarantees; 3. alcohol consumption prevention law; and, 4. law on public management of health services. Same comment regarding the uncertainty regarding the approval of laws. Among these laws does not appear that of the State Public Health Agency, already being processed in Parliament. Of note is the meeting at the Ministry of Health of a representation of the same with representatives of doctors who work for health insurers. Regardless of the outcome of this meeting, it was not common until now for the Ministry of Health to enter into the problems of private healthcare. But welcome if there is a change in this regard.

As for Companies, internationally, drug shortages have recently reached unprecedented levels in several European countries and last year reached a ten-year high in the USA. Regarding national information, Grifols admits changes in its debt level and Recoletas is expanding to several regions through its reproductive business.

Biomedicine

Global Health

International health policy

National health policy

Companies

7 days in healthcare (August 7th-13th, 2023)

/in /by

 

Summary

From the point of view of Biomedicine, the NEJM insists on the need to prepare doctors for the new era of clinical algorithms, since misuse of these algorithms can be dangerous for patients. MIT advances may make conventional mammograms obsolete, as a “wearable” device can detect breast cancer using ultrasound. New facts are detected in relation to the growth of resistance to antibiotics: a species of virus parasites and air pollution. In any case, the United Nations says that by 2050 these resistances could represent more than 10 million deaths a year. Walking 4,000 steps a day can lower your risk of death from any cause.

As regards Global Health, Chris van Tulleken, famous doctor and TV presenter, is publishing a book on “ultra-processed food”, those whose manufacturing process makes them rich in calories, poor in nutrients and difficult to stop eating them, which poses a major health threat. In the United States, cases of syphilis are increasing, while penicillin to treat them is in short supply, given the low interest in the production of antibiotics by pharmaceutical companies.

Regarding International Health Policy, it should be noted that the WHO monitors the new variant of covid (EG.5), although it classifies its impact on public health as low. In the United Kingdom, a laboratory is created capable of launching new vaccines 100 days after the start of any pandemic. Let us remember that in the case of the covid the term was one year, which already represented a remarkable feat, something never seen before. Also in the United Kingdom, both private equity companies and the CEO of AXA, detect great business opportunities in the face of the great crisis of the National Health Service, something that should not surprise anyone, since the market is characterized by solving unsatisfied problems for what the population is willing to pay. The Nuffield Trust publishes its monthly monitoring of NHS performance, with particular monitoring of test and surgical waiting lists, cancer waiting lists, emergency room waiting times and ambulance response. A laudable initiative, which could well be imitated in our country.

If we talk about National Health Policy (Spain), although the measurement of the covid is not as rigorous as a few months ago, there are indirect indications that the incidence must be rising, as shown in the large increase in the sale of the antigen tests. The Sant Pau hospital begins an ambitious multidisciplinary Robotic Surgery program, which includes five surgical teams. Madrid launches the figure of the administrative assistant in Primary Care, something hopeful, but whose results will have to be seen.

In the field of Companies, internationally, Novo Nordisk and Lilly ready to conquer the promising obesity market. At the national level, anti-obesity drugs also enter our country, although of the three that exist (Ozempic and Wegoby, from Novo Nordisk; and Mounjaro, from Lilly) in Spain, only Ozempic is available and the public system only prescribes it for type 2 diabetes, not for obesity. The consolidation of the nursing home sector accelerates: Colisée, Vitalia, Clariane (formerly Korian), Domus Vi and Vivalto Vie, the most active players.

Biomedicine

Global Health

International Health Policy

National Health Policy

  • Public health innovations
    • Hospital Sant Pau starts a multidisciplinary Robotic Surgery Program that includes five surgical teams. Hepatobiliary and pancreatic surgery (HBP), Bariatric and Esophagogastric, Colon and Rectal, Gynecology and Thoracic Surgery (https://gacetamedica.com/profesion/el-hospital-sant-pau-inicia-un-programa-de-cirugia-robotica-multidisciplinary-that-includes-five-surgical-teams/#:~:text=They are%20five%20the%20surgical%20teams,and%20Thoracic%20Surgery%20(CTO).)
    • Madrid eliminates the bureaucracy of doctors with the figure of the administrative assistant (https://www.redaccionmedica.com/autonomias/madrid/madrid-empieza-a-liberar-de-burocracia-a-sus-medicos-con-una-new-figure-4733)

Companies

 

 

 

7 days in healthcare (October 24th-30th, 2022)

/in /by

 

Summary

From the point of view of Biomedicine, it is worth highlighting the studies that show that certain types of breast cancer, which respond to chemotherapy, will not require surgery. The link between Alzheimer’s and certain viruses is surprising. As for proton therapy, it seems that an increase in its indications (prostate, lung, etc.) is in sight.

As far as Global Health is concerned, the WHO study on a prioritized list of fungal threats should be noted. Cases of resistant tuberculosis, on the rise, which is a big problem with high mortality. Shortage of cholera vaccines. “Nature” magazine considers the possible second term of Bolsonaro in Brazil as a threat to science, democracy, the environment and the world. Said alarm had already been launched by this magazine as a result of his first term.

As for International Health Policy, monkeypox is in clear recession and covid is apparently less serious, possibly due to increased immunity. The truth is that mortality and cases requiring hospitalization are falling. Plan in the United Kingdom so that pharmacies can collaborate in the treatment of minor disorders (hypertension, high cholesterol, etc.)

If we talk about National Health Policy (Spain), a surprising proposal from ASPE to the Ministry of Health for the homologation of foreign doctors through a kind of two-year express MIR. The problem is surely more complex and it should be considered that we are one of the countries with the most doctors per 1,000 inhabitants and the most Faculties of Medicine. To analyze the shortage by areas and specialties, as well as the expansion of nursing work. It is doubtful that exporting quality doctors after an excellent MIR and importing foreign doctors with an express MIR is the solution. Perhaps the salary and working conditions of Spanish doctors should also be considered. Also striking is the new approach of the PSOE in terms of the Trans law, which tries to involve judges in changing sex between 12 and 15 years, compared to the bill approved by the Council of Ministers, which did not contemplate this possibility. AESEG, very willing to increase the use of generics, through regulatory and price changes.

In the field of Companies, at the international level, the extensive job cuts at Philips are striking, after its withdrawal of devices for sleep apnea. As for Spain, Sanitas publishes a study on mental health, which shows that the private health sector is agile in its response to a serious problem, which has become more evident after covid. Orange’s agreement with Mapfre confirms the great interest of telecommunications platforms in the world of health and their need to ally with traditional operators.

Biomedicine

Global Health

International health policy

National health policy

Companies