Summary

News of the week:

• The French Parliament approves the “right to die” law

The most impactful health news of the week included:

• Biomedicine: mRNA vaccines, a transformative advance in vaccinology.
• Global health: The Ebola epidemic is out of control.
• International health policy: The British Medical Journal (BMJ) makes 7 health recommendations to the new British Prime Minister.
• National health policy: Since 2018, Spain’s population has increased by three million, impacting the healthcare system.
• Business: According to The Economist, Lilly is reinventing the pharmaceutical business.

Biomedicine

• Safety and efficacy of mRNA vaccines: a transformative advance in vaccinology. mRNA vaccines combine rapid development, scalable production, strong immunogenicity, and a reasonable safety profile.
• The FDA approves a new pill to lower cholesterol levels below those achievable with statins.

Global Health

• Article in The Economist: The Ebola epidemic is out of control. It has already spread to five provinces in the Congo and could spread to South Sudan.
• The WHO details how to reduce the risk of dementia: up to 45% of cases could be prevented or delayed. It recommends addressing hypertension, diabetes, tobacco, alcohol, sedentary lifestyles, social isolation, hearing loss, and pollution.

International Health Policy

• The French Parliament finally approves, after a very long process, the “right to die” law. Macron celebrates the “respectful debate.”
• The BMJ makes seven recommendations to the new Prime Minister Burnham: 1. Terminate Palantir’s contract with the NHS; 2. Cancel the US-UK agreement on drug prices; 3. Rethink the Neighbourhood Centers proposed in the 10-year plan; 4. Prioritize equity; 5. Putting young people at the heart of political strategy; 6. Health in all policies; and, 7. Rethinking the climate change narrative.
• The US expands GLP-1 coverage to the elderly and disabled, increasing the number of people eligible for this therapy by millions in a government-launched program.
• EFPIA criticizes German healthcare reform for “worsening” conditions for innovative medicines. The European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EFPIA) has expressed its concern following the German Parliament’s approval of the Law on Stabilizing Compulsory Health Insurance Contributions, arguing that the reform “sends a worrying signal about how Germany values ​​its role as a leader in pharmaceutical innovation and the significant benefits it derives from having a strong industry.”

National Health Policy (Spain)

• Since 2018, Spain’s population has increased by 3 million, which naturally impacts the healthcare system (interview with Miguel Ángel García, professor of applied economics).
• Congress approves an additional €6.2 billion in government funding for long-term care with the support of the People’s Party (PP).
• The Catalan Health Institute (ICS) presents its 2026-2028 Strategic Plan.
• Only 21% of patients get an appointment with their family doctor within 24-48 hours, compared to 71% who wait an average of ten days.
• Reasons for sick leave in Spain: 1st reason: general symptoms of various illnesses; 2nd: acute respiratory infections; 3rd: back problems; 4th: neurotic disorders.

Companies

• International
  • Article from The Economist: Lilly is reinventing the pharmacy business; the pharmaceutical giant is investing heavily in prevention and incorporating new technologies.

• National
  • Adeslas, Mapfre, and Asisa fuel the price war. Despite the pressure of costs on the profitability of health insurance, large companies are not shying away from the fight to attract customers through price offensives.

Biomedicine

• Man with paralyzed hands regains function through new AI-based brain technology, according to a publication in Nature Medicine (https://www.ft.com/content/65d60f8e-76fe-47c5-beca-cfd86629f929?syn-25a6b1a6=1). Access the original Nature Medicine article: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-026-04498-0
• The FDA approves a new pill to lower cholesterol levels below those achieved with statins (https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/16/science/the-fda-approves-a-new-pill-to-slash-cholesterol-levels.html)
• A study links heart attacks and ischemic heart disease to elevated levels of microplastics in the blood; the study was conducted by Italian researchers (https://www.elespanol.com/invertia/observatorios/sanidad/20260715/estudio-asocia-infartos-cardiopatias-isquemicas-niveles-elevados-microplastricos-sangre/1003744321423_0.html)
• Safety and efficacy of mRNA vaccines: a transformative advance in vaccinology. mRNA vaccines represent a combination of rapid development, scalability in production, strong immunogenicity, and a reasonable safety profile (https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(26)00512-X/abstract)
• A vaccine is being developed to prevent pancreatic cancer in high-risk individuals. A team of US researchers has conducted an initial experimental trial with 20 subjects to demonstrate that the immunization is safe and generates lasting immune responses against the tumor (https://www.elmundo.es/salud/2026/07/16/6a58e3fce9cf4ad4228b45a3.html)

Global Health

• Article in The Economist: The Ebola epidemic is out of control. It has already spread to five provinces in the Congo and could spread to South Sudan (https://www.economist.com/middle-east-and-africa/2026/07/12/the-ebola-epidemic-is-getting-out-of-control)
• The first trial of therapy against the Bundibugyo virus begins (https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(26)01420-0/fulltext)
• Africa’s response to the Ebola outbreak shows how to shape global health. Countries everywhere should learn from Africa’s experience and combat outbreaks by collaborating with other countries, not closing borders (https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-026-02148-6)
• Ebola: The scale of the epidemic could be two to four times greater than official estimates, according to the WHO. This is the third largest Ebola epidemic (https://www.lemonde.fr/afrique/article/2026/07/14/ebola-l-ampleur-de-l-epidemie-pourrait-depasser-de-deux-a-quatre-fois-les-estimations-officielles-selon-l-oms_6723326_3212.html)
• The WHO details how to reduce the risk of dementia: up to 45% of cases could be prevented or delayed. The WHO recommends addressing hypertension, diabetes, tobacco use, alcohol consumption, sedentary lifestyles, social isolation, hearing loss, and pollution (https://www.elconfidencial.com/salud/2026-07-15/la-oms-detalla-como-reducir-el-riesgo-de-demencia_4390391/).
• Paternal mortality: the public health problem no one was talking about. The first study published in a leading medical journal examines paternal mortality in the years following a child’s birth and how it can be prevented (https://www.elconfidencial.com/salud/2026-07-18/hombres-georgia-muertes-desproporcionadas_4351316/). Access the original article in JAMA Pediatrics: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapediatrics/article-abstract/2848572

International Health Policy

• USA
  • Hospital-associated infections in the USA: a comparison between 2015 and 2023. With all adjustments incorporated, the risk of infection is lower in 2023 than in 2015 (https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2510881)
  • USA expands GLP-1 coverage to the elderly and disabled, increasing eligibility for this therapy by millions in a government-launched program (https://www.bmj.com/content/394/bmj-2026-100241)
  • The Secretary of War wants to check soldiers’ testosterone levels. Questionable plan to monitor testosterone levels in service members over 30 (https://www.theatlantic.com/health/2026/07/hegseth-testosterone-testing-military/687929/)
  • Salad lettuce and contaminated water, potential source of Cyclospora outbreak (https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/13/well/eat/michigan-cyclospora-outbreak-lettuce-salad-greens.html)
  • What is cyclosporiasis, the disease caused by a parasite that causes explosive diarrhea and is already affecting thousands of people in the USA (https://www.elmundo.es/salud/2026/07/14/6a55f7ffe85ece605b8b4577.html)
  • Americans in the Congo are banned from returning to the USA (https://www.politico.com/news/2026/07/14/american-ebola-relief-workers-barred-from-returning-home-immediately-00997100)
  • Ozempic in 5 minutes and without seeing a doctor: the lack of control over online prescriptions in the USA. An investigation with ‘ghost patients’ reveals the gaps in supervision on telemedicine platforms, which send drugs without verifying identity or medical history (https://www.abc.es/salud/ozempic-minutos-ver-medico-descontrol-recetas-online-20260706170000-nt.html)

• United Kingdom
  • The BMJ makes seven recommendations to the new Prime Minister Burnham: 1. Terminate Palantir’s contract with the NHS; 2. Cancel the US-UK agreement on drug prices; 3. Rethinking the Neighbourhood Centers proposed in the 10-year plan; 4. Prioritizing equity; 5. Putting young people at the heart of policy strategy; 6. Health in all policies; and, 7. Rethinking the climate change narrative (https://www.bmj.com/content/394/bmj-2026-100319)
  • The King’s Fund defends Neighbourhood Centers, based on an international analysis, drawing inspiration primarily from Brazil and New Zealand (https://www.kingsfund.org.uk/insight-and-analysis/long-reads/neighbourhood-health-international-exploration)
  • UK healthcare infrastructure: a plan is announced to restore dilapidated hospitals and GP practices (https://www.bmj.com/content/394/bmj-2026-100258?nbd_source=adestra&nbd=8fbb67008476fb2494c9dc673c1a59b833545ade97e59cd7efd9c117443308b8&uaa_id=8fbb67008476fb2494c9dc673c1a59b833545ade97e59cd7efd9c117443308b8&utm_campaign=This%20week%20in%20The%20BMJ%20-%20Fortnightly%20manual%20alert&utm_medium=email&utm_source=adestra)
  • More than 2,700 deaths Linked to the heatwave, for the first time in UK history, temperatures above 35°C were recorded in May, June, and July (https://www.ft.com/content/bdbac7c0-e963-4e4b-844d-0deda384559c?syn-25a6b1a6=1)

• France
  • The French Parliament finally approves, after a very long process, the “right to die” law. Macron celebrates the “respectful debate” (https://www.lemonde.fr/politique/article/2026/07/15/fin-de-vie-le-parlement-approuve-definitivement-le-droit-a-l-aide-a-mourir_6723602_823448.html)
  • June heat: more than 3,000 deaths in Île-de-France, double the normal number, according to French Public Health (https://www.lemonde.fr/planete/article/2026/07/17/canicule-de-juin-pres-de-3-000-morts-en-ile-de-france-le-double-de-la-normale-selon-sante-publique-france_6724203_3244.html)
• Germany
  • EFPIA criticizes German healthcare reform for “making things worse” The conditions for innovative medicines. The European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EFPIA) has expressed its concern following the German Parliament’s approval of the Law on Stabilizing Compulsory Health Insurance Contributions, considering that the reform “sends a worrying signal about how Germany values ​​its role as a leader in pharmaceutical innovation and the significant benefits it derives from having a strong industry” (https://elglobalfarma.com/industria/efpia-carga-reforma-sanitaria-alemana-empeorar-condiciones-medicamentos-innovadores/)
• Europe
  • European self-care is emerging as a sustainable pillar in the face of healthcare pressure. The 62nd Annual Meeting of the European Self-Care Industry Association analyzed in Berlin the strategic role of prevention and the need for a predictable and proportionate regulatory framework in the face of pressure on healthcare systems (https://diariofarma.com/2026/07/14/el-autocuidado-europeo-se-perfila-como-pilar-sostenible-frente-a-la-presion-sanitaria)
  • Irish Presidency of the Council of the EU Begins: Health, a Driver of European Competitiveness (https://www.consalud.es/politica/arranca-la-presidencia-irlandesa-del-consejo-de-la-ue-la-salud-motor-de-la-competitividad-europea.html)

National Health Policy

• Central Administration
  • The Ministry of Health opens for public consultation the Royal Decree to reform the Areas of Specific Training (https://www.elespanol.com/invertia/observatorios/sanidad/20260717/sanidad-saca-consulta-publica-real-decreto-reformar-areas-capacitacion-especifica-formacion-mir/1003744324882_0.html)
  • The Ministry of Health creates the National Observatory for Research in Care to identify scientific priorities. The initiative, framed within the Strategic Framework for Nursing Care 2025-2027, responds to challenges such as aging, chronic illness, and the increasing complexity of healthcare needs (https://www.elconfidencial.com/salud/2026-07-17/sanidad-crea-el-observatorio-nacional-de-investigacion-en-cuidados_4391880/)
  • Congress approves an additional €6.2 billion in government funding for long-term care with the support of the People’s Party (PP) (https://www.abc.es/sociedad/congreso-aprueba-financiacion-gobierno-dependencia-6200-millones-20260714200827-nt.html)
  • The Ministry of Health and the autonomous communities agree on a protocol for medications costing more than €80,000 annually, to coordinate access to 66 high-risk pharmacological treatments Complexity (https://diariofarma.com/2026/07/10/sanidad-y-las-cc-aa-acuerdan-el-protocolo-para-farmacos-de-mas-de-80-000-euros-anuales)
  • More than 150 outbreaks of avian flu force the Ministry of Health to approve a National Plan against infections of animal origin (https://www.elespanol.com/invertia/observatorios/sanidad/20260716/focos-gripe-aviar-obliga-sanidad-aprobar-plan-estatal-infecciones-origen-animal/1003744323987_0.html)
  • The budget path founders in Congress and threatens health planning for 2027 (https://www.consalud.es/politica/la-senda-presupuestaria-naufraga-en-el-congreso-y-amenaza-la-planificacion-sanitaria-para-2027.html

• Regional Administrations
  • The Catalan Health Institute (ICS) presents its Strategic Plan 2026-2028 (https://www.redaccionmedica.com/autonomias/cataluna/institut-catala-salut-transforma-plan-estrategico-2026-2028-6123). Access the Plan presentation document: https://ics.gencat.cat/web/.content/pla-estrategic-26-28/Presentacio-pla-estrategic-ICS-juliol2026.pdf
  • Madrid rejects mandatory 17-hour on-call shifts and proposes voluntary 24-hour shifts. (https://www.elespanol.com/invertia/observatorios/sanidad/20260715/madrid-rechaza-guardias-obligatorias-monica-garcia-propone-voluntarias/1003744321162_0.html)
  • The Basque Country refuses to pay 51 million euros from the Cohesion Fund and demands legal reform (https://diariofarma.com/2026/07/12/euskadi-rechaza-pagar-51-millones-del-fondo-de-cohesion-y-exige-una-reforma-legal)

• Health Barometer
  • Waiting lists are hindering the perception of public healthcare: 81% believe the problem has worsened or remains the same. The overall assessment is lower than before the pandemic. (https://elpais.com/sociedad/2026-07-13/las-listas-de-espera-lastran-la-percepcion-de-la-sanidad-publica-el-81-cree-que-el-problema-ha-empeorado-o-sigue-igual.html)
  • Only 21% of patients get an appointment with their family doctor within 24-48 hours, compared to 71% who wait an average of ten days (https://www.elmundo.es/ciencia-y-salud/salud/2026/07/13/6a54b4b7e85ecede708b4590.html)
  • Access the original Health Barometer document: https://www.sanidad.gob.es/estadEstudios/estadisticas/BarometroSanitario/home_BS.htm

• Specialized Healthcare Training
  • The Health Service offers 12,850 training places Specialized Healthcare, with 9,676 places allocated to Medical Residents (MIR). The Ministry of Health indicates that since 2018, the National Health System (SNS) has expanded its training capacity by 4,448 places, representing a cumulative growth of 53% over these years (https://www.diariomedico.com/medicina/medico-joven/mir/sanidad-oferta-12850-plazas-formacion-especializada-2027-examen-23-enero.html)

• Controversy over the funding of an Alzheimer’s therapy with dubious results
  • The Ministry of Health rejects funding donanemab to slow Alzheimer’s, by agreement of the Interministerial Commission on Drug and Health Product Prices (https://www.elmundo.es/salud/2026/07/16/6a58f58fe9cf4abb418b458f.html)
  • Lilly’s treatment for Alzheimer’s, available via Private (https://www.redaccionmedica.com/secciones/industria/tratamiento-lilly-alzheimer-disponible-via-privada-6869)
  • Letter from Javier Padilla, justifying the refusal to finance Alzheimer’s medications, stating that a spending cap was offered to the companies (https://elglobalfarma.com/politica/carta-padilla-negativa-cipm-financiar-tratamientos-alzheimer/)

• Sick leave
  • Reason for sick leave in Spain. 1st reason: general symptoms of various pathologies; 2nd: acute respiratory infections; 3rd, Back problems, 4th, Neurotic disorders (https://www.expansion.com/economia/2026/07/13/6a5114f4468aeb191a8b459c.html)

• Population growth
  • Since 2018, Spain’s population has increased by 3 million, which naturally impacts the healthcare system (interview with Miguel Ángel García, professor of applied economics) (https://www.vozpopuli.com/videos/miguel-angel-garcia-tras-la-regularizacion-masiva-de-migrantes-me-parece-muy-irresponsable-aumentar-la-poblacion-sin-control-y-sin-planificacion.html)

 

Companies

• International
  • Article from The Economist: Lilly is reinventing the pharmacy business; the pharmaceutical giant is investing heavily in prevention and incorporating new technologies (https://www.economist.com/business/2026/07/15/eli-lilly-is-reinventing-the-pharma-business)
  • Lilly buys a psychedelic company (https://www.ft.com/content/11b24bcc-02bb-4ebf-91d8-f2fbdf0f5f86?syn-25a6b1a6=1)
  • Dassault Systems in talks to buy clinical trial software for $2 billion (https://www.ft.com/content/72c335dd-11c9-4ba0-bd11-41414df06d97?syn-25a6b1a6=1)
  • Pharmaceutical companies are betting on Europe for drug production: outsourcing is increasing compared to the US (https://www.elespanol.com/invertia/observatorios/sanidad/20260718/farmaceuticas-apuestan-europa-tiempos-convulsos-multiplica-produccion-terceros-frente-eeuu/1003744325219_0.html)

• National News
  • The pharmaceutical industry is driving a new real estate niche in Madrid. The region has more than 300 scientific companies and the support of multinationals such as Pfizer and Roche (https://www.eleconomista.es/vivienda-inmobiliario/noticias/14000058/07/26/la-industria-farmaceutica-impulsa-un-nuevo-nicho-inmobiliario-en-madrid.html)
  • Adeslas, Mapfre, and Asisa are fueling the price war. Despite the pressure of costs on the profitability of health insurance, large entities are not shying away from the fight to attract clients through price offensives (https://www.expansion.com/empresas/banca/2026/07/17/6a595e4b468aebdb388b4572.html)

This post is also available in: Spanish