The news of the week: 1,700 HIV treatment centers closed after Trump’s cuts, 7 days in healthcare (July 20th-26th, 2026)

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Summary

News of the week:

  • 1,700 HIV treatment centers closed after Trump’s cuts.

The week’s most impactful health news stories were:

  • Biomedicine: How peptides (short chains of amino acids) are becoming longevity drugs.
  • Global health: Ebola must be prevented from becoming a regional and international threat.
  • International health policy: Is the United States’ scientific supremacy at risk?
  • National health policy: The new drug law reaches Congress.
  • Companies: SegurCaixa, Sanitas, and Asisa lead the sector’s revenue growth.

Biomedicine

  • How peptides (short chains of amino acids) are becoming longevity drugs. A large group of wealthy individuals are using these drugs to achieve perfection, but their safety is questionable.
  • Psychedelic drugs are now commonplace. A major commercial success in the USA.
  • A new map of the human genome reveals a key dimension for understanding life. Major research shows how the physical organization of DNA controls gene activity and shapes cell identity.
  • A study of more than 150,000 people suggests that the rise in cancer among young people is due to premature aging. It analyzes the gap between biological and chronological age.

Global Health

  • 1,700 HIV treatment centers closed following Trump’s cuts, according to a study. New research finds that children and high-risk adult populations are the most affected.
  • Ebola must be prevented from becoming a regional and international threat.

International Health Policy

  • Is America’s scientific supremacy in danger? The news that American Nobel Prize-winning chemist Omar Yaghi will leave his position at the University of California, Berkeley, to head a scientific center in China has shaken the academic world in the United States.
  • Trump says he will impose tariffs on generic drugs in August 2028. If implemented, the tariffs would be 100% the first year and 200% the following year.
  • The opportunity presented by ambient voice technology in the NHS. Currently, most users are doctors, but there is also interest among nurses, pharmacists, physiotherapists, and care staff.
  • Energy drinks will be banned for those under 16 from April 2027 in the UK.
  • Emergency rooms: A letter from the French Ministry of Health defends patients’ right to be accompanied.
  • The French government is strengthening co-payments for medications, dental care, and ambulance transport.

National Health Policy (Spain)

  • The new Medicines Act, which includes provisions for strategic medicines, accelerating innovation processes, and nurse prescribing, has reached Parliament. The Ministry of Health is bringing the legislative reform of medicines to Parliament to reduce the waiting time for access to innovative therapies to 180 days, prevent shortages, and enable nurses and physiotherapists to prescribe them. While there are debatable points, according to various stakeholders, there is no doubt that this is a bill that has been extensively developed and discussed with the sector, representing progress compared to the current situation.
  • The government approves the anti-smoking bill. This law, however, appears to be a political improvisation and could have waited for European legislation, which is currently being prepared.
  • The bill harmonizing newborn screening across all regions has been approved. The text, which includes the annual update of the screening program in all autonomous communities, incorporates an amendment from the People’s Party (PP) that links its funding to the General State Budget.
  • The new priorities for the transformation of the Andalusian Health Service (SAS): debureaucratization, waiting lists, and professional leadership. Councilor Antonio Sanz has announced the creation of a General Directorate to lead the change process.

Companies

  • International
    • AstraZeneca strengthens its position in rare diseases with an $80 billion increase in revenue, according to statements by the CEO of Alexion, AstraZeneca’s American subsidiary.
  • National
    • SegurCaixa, Sanitas, and Asisa lead the sector’s revenue: they grew by 10% compared to 6.9% for the rest of the healthcare sector. The three companies hold 60.2% of the market share.
    • Vithas acquires GenesisCare Spain and strengthens its healthcare network with 18 centers.

Biomedicine

  • We are what we eat. How food synchronizes liver clocks. The type of food synchronizes the liver’s circadian expression via hormones and the regulation of nutrition through the mTOR pathway (https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.aej7423)
  • The surprising benefits of red light. According to an article in The Economist, it produces better skin, faster wound healing, and reduces age-related vision decline (https://www.economist.com/science-and-technology/2026/07/20/the-surprising-benefits-of-red-light)
  • Should GLP-1 drugs be microdosed for weight loss? Possibly, but only under medical supervision (https://www.economist.com/science-and-technology/2026/07/17/should-you-microdose-glp-1-drugs-for-weight-loss)
  • How generative AI will transform clinical decision-making. Some limitations are discussed (https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2026.13187)
  • Governance for AI in health. Conclusions from a European meeting held in Lisbon, Portugal (https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(26)01495-9/fulltext)
  • The best genetic risk tools don’t work equally well for everyone. Genetic prediction models have been tested with European DNA, which is now being addressed (https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/20/science/polygenic-risk-scores-diversity.html)
  • Psychedelic drugs are now commonplace. A huge commercial success in the USA (https://www.ft.com/content/dd268ceb-e664-4e37-b304-e16dd5142946?syn-25a6b1a6=1)
  • “Ozempic face” and hair loss: what evidence is there about the side effects of these drugs? These effects are being studied (https://www.theguardian.com/science/2026/jul/25/weight-loss-drug-side-effects-evidence-nausea-ozempic-face)
  • How peptides (short chains of amino acids) are becoming longevity drugs. A large group of wealthy individuals are using these drugs to achieve perfection, but their safety is questionable (https://www.ft.com/content/f0f66461-269c-42ab-876e-b1ec9dfe3cb9)
  • A new map of the human genome reveals a key dimension for understanding life. Major research shows how the physical organization of DNA controls gene activity and shapes cell identity (https://elpais.com/salud-y-bienestar/2026-07-23/un-nuevo-mapa-del-genoma-humano-revela-una-dimension-clave-para-comprender-la-vida.html). Access the original article in Science: https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.aek3868
  • A study of more than 150,000 people suggests that the rise in cancer among young people is due to premature aging. Analyze the gap between biological and chronological age (https://www.elespanol.com/invertia/observatorios/sanidad/20260720/estudio-personas-sugiere-aumento-cancer-jovenes-debe-envejecen/1003744325003_0.html). Access the original study in Nature: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-026-04448-w
  • Cloning cannot replace sexual reproduction: it becomes incompatible with life. Repeated cloning cannot be sustained indefinitely in mammals, according to a major study conducted on mice over 20 years, whose findings are published in Nature (https://www.expansion.com/directivos/estilo-vida/salud/2026/03/24/69c125b5e5fdea8e718b45aa.html). Access the original article: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-026-69765-7

Global Health

  • Lead contamination poses health risks, according to research commissioned by the FT, analyzing areas with remnants of abandoned mines (https://www.ft.com/content/92b0ffcb-3878-400b-ad1a-80597b7b9450?syn-25a6b1a6=1). Access the original article: https://sciencesearch.defra.gov.uk/ProjectDetails?ProjectId=21981
  • Senegal, the new platform for cocaine consumed in Europe (https://www.lemonde.fr/series-d-ete/article/2026/07/20/le-senegal-nouvelle-plaque-tournante-de-la-cocaine-consommee-en-europe_6726704_3451060.html)
  • Ebola must be prevented from becoming a regional and international threat (https://www.lemonde.fr/idees/article/2026/07/22/il-faut-empecher-qu-ebola-ne-devienne-une-menace-regionale-et-internationale_6730046_3232.html)
  • 1,700 HIV treatment centers closed following budget cuts Trump, according to a study. New research finds that children and high-risk adult populations are the most affected (https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/21/health/hiv-trump-cuts-pepfar.html)
  • Trump’s new conditions for funding the fight against HIV force a restriction of services (https://elpais.com/planeta-futuro/2026-07-22/las-nuevas-condiciones-de-trump-para-financiar-la-lucha-contra-el-vih-obligan-a-restringir-servicios.html)

International Health Policy

  • USA
    • Is the United States’ Scientific Supremacy in Danger? The news that American Nobel Prize-winning chemist Omar Yaghi will leave his position at the University of California, Berkeley to head a scientific center in China has shaken the academic world in the United States (https://www.elespanol.com/opinion/columnas/20260726/peligra-supremacia-cientifica-unidos/1003744329191_12.html)
    • Cyclospora infections are on the rise as authorities struggle to find the source (https://www.ft.com/content/8497ab71-cfa3-4651-bf9e-40c63e23cf15?syn-25a6b1a6=1)
    • Trump says he will impose tariffs on generic drugs in August 2028. If implemented, the tariffs would be 100% the first year and 200% the following year (https://www.politico.com/news/2026/07/21/trump-says-he-will-impose-tariffs-on-generic-drugs-starting-in-august-2028-01007137)
    • The FDA’s decision on prescription peptides, prompted by pressure from RFK, Jr., raises concerns about a boom in prescriptions, a multi-billion dollar business (https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/24/us/politics/fda-panel-vote-peptides.html)
    • The CMS (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services) suspends $1 billion in funding to Minnesota and California due to suspected fraud (https://www.politico.com/news/2026/07/21/cms-suspends-medicaid-dollars-to-minnesota-california-over-fraud-01006397
  • United Kingdom
    • Why should Burnham consider “health first” as the basis of his policy? According to a Health Foundation report, the level of health has deteriorated in the UK since 2014, and recovering this level would represent a significant saving of £72 billion (https://www.bmj.com/content/394/bmj-2026-100362). Access the original Health Foundation document: https://www.health.org.uk/sites/default/files/upload/publications/2026/Health_Foundation_Health%20as%20an%20economic%20asset_2026.pdf
    • The opportunity of ambient voice technology in the NHS. In Currently, most users are doctors, but there is also interest among nurses, pharmacists, physiotherapists, and care staff (https://www.kingsfund.org.uk/insight-and-analysis/long-reads/seizing-a-rare-opportunity-scaling-ambient-voice-technology-in-the-nhs)
    • Explaining the Health Bill (NHS Modernisation Bill 2026) (https://www.kingsfund.org.uk/insight-and-analysis/long-reads/explaining-nhs-modernisation-health-bill-2026)
    • Energy drinks banned for those under 16 from April 2027 in the UK (https://www.bmj.com/content/394/bmj-2026-100322)
    • Why the UK is unable to fix social services. The failure of successive governments to address the problem leads to a high political cost (https://www.ft.com/content/c3141534-9cbb-4126-b36e-621fd6a9c312?syn-25a6b1a6=1)
    • The NHS adds caution to Palantir data, following a report (https://www.ft.com/content/5aa0363c-63ff-4afe-96c8-2f3fc5bd14bd?syn-25a6b1a6=1)
    • The shortage of nurses after Brexit is linked to almost 4,000 deaths in British hospitals (https://www.consalud.es/profesionales/enfermeria/la-falta-de-enfermeras-europeas-tras-el-brexit-esta-relacionada-con-casi-4000-muertes-en-hospitales-britanicos.html)
  • France
    • Emergency Rooms: A letter from the Ministry of Health defends patients’ right to be accompanied (https://www.lemonde.fr/societe/article/2026/05/19/urgences-une-charte-du-ministere-de-la-sante-defend-le-droit-a-un-accompagnant-pour-les-patients_6691543_3224.html)
    • Reimbursement for anti-obesity treatments: a complex equation for Health Insurance (https://www.lemonde.fr/economie/article/2026/06/15/le-remboursement-des-traitements-anti-obesite-une-equation-complexe-pour-l-assurance-maladie_6703158_3234.html)
    • The government strengthens co-payments for medications, dental care, and ambulance transport (https://www.lemonde.fr/societe/article/2026/07/24/le-gouvernement-precise-sa-feuille-de-route-d-economies-pour-la-sante-ciblant-les-medicaments-les-soins-dentaires-et-les-transports-sanitaires_6731538_3224.html)
    • The High Authority for Health recommends vaccination of healthcare workers against the flu (https://www.lemonde.fr/sciences/article/2026/07/20/la-haute-autorite-de-sante-recommande-la-vaccination-obligatoire-des-soignants-contre-la-grippe_6727440_1650684.html)
    • Heat wave in France: 5,764 excess deaths recorded during the June episode (https://www.lemonde.fr/planete/article/2026/07/22/canicule-en-france-5-764-morts-en-exces-constatees-pendant-l-episode-de-juin-selon-sante-publique-france_6730037_3244.html)
  • European Union
    • EFPIA reiterates its demands on trials and incentives in the face of the public consultation on the Biotech Act (https://diariofarma.com/2026/07/23/la-efpia-reitera-sus-demandas-sobre-ensayos-e-incentivos-ante-la-consulta-publica-sobre-la-biotech-act)
    • From €3 to €25, the fee pharmacists charge for vaccinations in other EU countries (https://www.diariomedico.com/farmacia/comunitaria/3-25-euros-cobran-farmaceuticos-vacunar-paises-ue.html)

National Health Policy

  • Central Administration
    • Medicines Act
      • The new medicines act reaches Congress: strategic medicines, accelerating innovation processes and nurse prescribing. The Ministry of Health is taking its legislative reform of medicines to Parliament to reduce the waiting time for access to innovative therapies to 180 days, prevent shortages, and enable nurses and physiotherapists to prescribe (https://www.elmundo.es/salud/2026/07/22/6a5f4bb6e4d4d886458b458a.html)
      • The Ministry of Health will allow generic drugs to compete on price, requiring patients to pay more for brand-name drugs (https://elpais.com/sociedad/2026-07-21/sanidad-permitira-que-los-medicamentos-genericos-compitan-por-precio-y-que-el-paciente-pague-mas-si-quiere-uno-de-marca.html)
      • The Ministry of Health will require pharmaceutical companies to pay a fee for hospital medications. This refers to the controversial Sixth Additional Provision of the law, which stipulates that pharmaceutical companies will have to make a contribution to the State based on their sales volume to the National Health System (https://www.elespanol.com/invertia/observatorios/sanidad/20260721/sanidad-obligara-farmaceuticas-pagar-tasa-medicamentos-hospitalarios/1003744327509_0.html)
      • Biosim sees inconsistencies in dynamic pricing under the Medicines Law (https://www.diariomedico.com/farmacia/industria/ley-medicamentos-biosim-ve-inconsistencias-precios-dinamicos.html)
      • The government will seek to cut spending by 2.1 billion euros with the Medicines Law. Farmaindustria warns of the “industrial impact” of the new pricing and tax system on hospital sales (https://www.eleconomista.es/salud-bienestar/noticias/14001670/07/26/el-gobierno-buscara-un-recorte-del-gasto-de-2100-millones-con-la-ley-del-medicamento.html)
    • Tobacco Law
      • Government gives green light to the new anti-smoking law: more smoke-free spaces and a focus on new consumption patterns. It will prohibit smoking on terraces, beaches, swimming pools, sports facilities, outdoor events, and national parks (https://www.consalud.es/politica/el-gobierno-da-luz-verde-a-una-nueva-ley-antitabaco-con-mas-espacios-sin-humo-y-foco-en-los-nuevos-consumos.html)
      • For the first time, it prohibits minors from smoking. The text regulates electronic cigarettes, which 49.5% of young people have tried at least once (https://www.diariomedico.com/medicina/politica/gobierno-aprueba-proyecto-ley-tabaco-primera-vez-prohibe-menores-fumar.html)
      • Vaping is prohibited, and there are penalties for underage use: this is the reform that seeks to curb smoking. New forms of smoking will be treated the same as traditional cigarettes, in terms of where they can be used and age restrictions (https://www.elmundo.es/salud/2026/07/21/6a5f11c321efa05a548b4590.html)
      • The hospitality, tourism, and tobacco industries oppose the new anti-smoking law. Business associations criticize the fact that the EU regulations were not reviewed and warn that Spain will be an “exception in Europe” (https://elpais.com/economia/2026-07-21/la-hosteleria-y-el-sector-del-tabaco-rechazan-la-prohibicion-de-fumar-en-terrazas-y-la-equiparacion-con-vapeadores.html)
      • The Ministry of Health begins processing the Royal Decree to protect those dependent on electricity for medical reasons from power outages. A national registry will be created (https://www.elespanol.com/invertia/observatorios/sanidad/20260724/sanidad-inicia-tramitacion-decreto-proteger-personas-electrodependientes-apagones/1003744333002_0.html)
    • Spain promotes the new international guide against precocious puberty. The country has been key in the new guidelines for the treatment of a rare but potentially serious condition, which is sometimes accompanied by brain tumors (https://elpais.com/ciencia/2026-07-23/espana-impulsa-la-nueva-guia-internacional-contra-la-pubertad-precoz.html)
    • The bill harmonizing newborn screening across all regions has been approved. The text, which includes the annual update of the screening program in all autonomous communities, incorporates an amendment from the People’s Party (PP) that links its funding to the General State Budget. (https://www.diariomedico.com/medicina/politica/aprobada-proposicion-ley-armoniza-ccaa-cribado-neonatal.html)
  • Regional Administrations
    • The new pillars for the transformation of the Andalusian Health Service (SAS): debureaucratization, waiting lists, and professional leadership. Regional Minister Antonio Sanz has announced the creation of a General Directorate to lead the change process.(https://www.redaccionmedica.com/autonomias/andalucia/20260722/los-ejes-para-la-modernizacion-del-sas-desburocratizacion-listas-de-espera-liderazgo-profesional/347758_0.html)
    • The Community of Madrid will integrate the Alcorcón hospital into the Madrid Health Service (SERMAS) in 2027. This measure modifies the legal framework for the current staff, who will be subject to the general regional collective agreement while the Ministry of Health paves the way for their transition to the statutory system (https://www.redaccionmedica.com/autonomias/madrid/20260724/la-comunidad-de-madrid-integrara-el-hospital-alcorcon-en-sermas/348042_0.html).
    • Catalonia approves a networked care model to guarantee equity in genetic care. The Catalan Health Service (SCS) approves the regulation that organizes genetic care within a network through three levels of care. The measure aims to standardize access criteria for genetic testing and coordinate the activity of the Siscat centers (https://diariofarma.com/2026/07/20/cataluna-aprueba-un-modelo-asistencial-en-red-para-garantizar-la-equidad-en-atencion-genetica)
  • MUFACE
    • 14, 000 members leave the MUFACE healthcare agreement. CSIF warns of the mutual insurance company’s financial situation and demands explanations for the reduction in activity in primary care, specialized care, and diagnostic tests (https://medicinaresponsable.com/politica-sanitaria/14000-mutualistas-abandonan-concierto-sanitario-muface-mientras-mutualidad-tira-remanente-falta-presupuestos)

Companies

  • International
    • An American start-up receives EU approval for a bionic eye that restores vision (https://www.ft.com/content/a789fa81-6c39-48a1-9df3-33d67ce7a5ac?syn-25a6b1a6=1)
    • Novo Nordisk sues Lilly over deceptive advertising of anti-obesity drugs (https://www.ft.com/content/812d7feb-34d6-4f0f-8193-b037aee7ec86?syn-25a6b1a6=1)
    • AstraZeneca strengthens its position in rare diseases with an $80 billion increase in revenue, according to statements by the CEO of Alexion, AstraZeneca’s American subsidiary (https://www.ft.com/content/159edf3d-4b88-4597-a8ef-a5fb955d2712?syn-25a6b1a6=1)
  • National companies
    • SegurCaixa, Sanitas, and Asisa lead the sector’s revenue: they grew by 10% compared to 6.9% for the rest of the health insurance industry. The three companies hold 60.2% of the market share (https://www.elespanol.com/invertia/observatorios/sanidad/20260724/segurcaixa-sanitas-asisa-lideran-facturacion-sector-crecen-frente-media-ramo-salud/1003744331450_0.html)
    • Rovi earns €84.4 million in the first half of the year and increases its revenue from third-party billing by 13% (https://www.elespanol.com/invertia/observatorios/sanidad/20260723/rovi-gana-millones-doble-ano-eleva-ingresos-fabricacion-terceros/1003744331249_0.html)
    • Vithas acquires GenesisCare Spain and strengthens its healthcare network with 18 centers (https://cincodias.elpais.com/companias/2026-07-21/vithas-compra-genesiscare-espana-y-refuerza-su-red-asistencial-con-18-nuevos-centros.html)
    • Barcelona-based Santé will open its first center in Madrid and expects to triple sales (https://www.expansion.com/catalunya/2026/07/20/6a5de7af468aeb793c8b458c.html)

 

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