Trump is against vaccines.7 days in healthcare (August 10th-16th, 2026)
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Summary

News of the week:

  • Trump signs three executive orders against vaccines in just one week, as he seems to want this issue to be central to the midterm elections. Both Le Monde, in an editorial, and a WHO statement consider this attitude deplorable.

The most impactful health news of the week were:

  • Biomedicine: Can a pain medication rival opioids, but without their addictive side effects?
  • Global health: The global resurgence of syphilis. A major failure of public health policies.
  • International health policy: Trump intends for the MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine to be administered in three separate doses.
  • National health policy: The health situation in Ceuta is chaotic, while the Ministry of Health speaks of near-normality, denying the evidence.
  • Business: It seems that the announced merger of AstraZeneca with BMS is encountering problems and is unlikely to go ahead. Biomedicine

Biomedicine

  • Can a safer form of pain medication rival opioids? One million prescriptions have been filled for the new pain medication, which appears to have no risk of addiction, a concern in the US and other countries, according to a statement from the manufacturer, Vertex.
  • The size of your belly is a better predictor of heart attack and stroke risk than the scale. To prevent cardiovascular disease, total weight is not as important as the area of ​​the body where fat accumulates, according to a new study.

Global Health

  • The global resurgence of syphilis. A major setback. New WHO data shows that between 2016 and 2022, new cases of syphilis among 15-49 year olds rose from 6 million to 8 million.
  • Sexually transmitted diseases are resurging in Europe. According to The Economist, to prevent them, countries must increase testing and reduce stigma.
  • The most basic responses to the Ebola epidemic are failing. Reducing the spread of cases in Congo would require a massive increase in testing.

International Health Policy

  • Trump wants the MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine to be administered in three separate doses, instead of the combined formula. He even stated that the combination could “be lethal,” contrary to the opinion of researchers.
  • The French Constitutional Council has upheld the law creating the right to die, but with three reservations, one of which is that private facilities cannot be forced to perform this procedure.
  • India’s plans aim to limit health insurance costs, as medical inflation is between 12-14% annually.
  • Argentina is putting an end to “medical tourism” . Two decrees would allow hospitals to bill non-resident foreigners.

National Health Policy (Spain)

  • Mónica García, after being booed in Ceuta, denies a “healthcare collapse,” acknowledges cases of tuberculosis, and says she will cooperate. She also denies the link between immigration and disease. First, what has happened in Ceuta is not controlled immigration, and second, while it is true that immigration and disease cannot be equated, denying that those who invaded Ceuta could not have transmissible diseases is denying the evidence and something very serious from a public health perspective.
  • The Basque Country creates an Advisory Council to lead the digital and healthcare transformation. Organizational Innovation and Digital Transformation are just two of the twenty-four strategic lines designed by the Basque Health Pact.
  • The Galician Genome Project identifies 42 people with high-risk variants. The program, which aims to improve the prevention and diagnosis of diseases such as hereditary breast and ovarian cancer, Lynch syndrome, and familial hypercholesterolemia, has recruited 4,261 participants to date.
  • Asturias will once again have unemployed doctors in the near future. The Regional Ministry of Health, the University, the Medical Association, and SIMPA (the Asturian Medical Association) all predict that, when the students currently beginning their studies finish their training, “there will be a surplus of professionals.”

Companies

  • International
    • It appears that the merger between AstraZeneca and BMS is failing.
  • National
    • Faes Farma increases its business outside of Spain by 83% after the acquisition of SIFI and Edol. The Basque company reported revenues of €142.4 million through June, compared to €77.8 million a year earlier.

Biomedicine

  • Can a safer form of pain medication rival opioids? One million prescriptions have been filled for the new pain drug, which appears to have no risk of addiction, according to a statement from the manufacturer, Vertex (https://www.science.org/content/article/can-new-safer-class-pain-drugs-ever-rival-opioids). Access the Vertex article: https://investors.vrtx.com/node/34946/pdf
  • Various AI agents are reviewing scientific literature and identifying decades of errors, according to an article published in Nature (https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-026-02235-8)
  • The FDA approves Lantheus, a brain scanning system, for Alzheimer’s assessment (https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/us-fda-approves-lantheus-brain-imaging-agent-alzheimers-assessment-2026-08-14/)
  • Experimental blood tests identify high risk of colon cancer before it develops (https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/experimental-blood-test-finds-high-risk-colorectal-lesions-before-cancer-2026-08-14/)
  • AI offers hope to men with infertility. It may be useful for men with low sperm counts (https://www.nytimes.com/2026/08/11/science/ai-infertile-men-sperm.html)
  • A three-drug cocktail permanently eradicates HIV in newborns. A primate study shows that if administered within the first 72 hours of life, it purges the virus from the body (https://www.abc.es/salud/coctel-tres-farmacos-logra-erradicar-vih-recien-20260810110000-nt.html)
  • Wealthy seniors walk faster, according to a large study. A comparative study of more than 31,000 older adults in England and Canada reveals that a lack of financial resources worsens overall health and accelerates the loss of functional independence with age (https://www.abc.es/salud/ancianos-dinero-caminan-rapido-gran-brecha-movilidad-20260813200000-nt.html). Access the original article: https://journals.plos.org/plosmedicine/article?id=10.1371/journal.pmed.1004833
  • The size of your belly is a better predictor of heart attack and stroke risk than the scale. To prevent cardiovascular disease, total weight is not as important as the area of ​​the body where fat accumulates, according to a new study (https://www.abc.es/salud/enfermedades/tamano-barriga-predice-mejor-riesgo-infarto-ictus-20260811160159-nt.html)
  • Gain several centimeters: what new drugs for achondroplasia promise (https://sante.lefigaro.fr/medecine/gagner-plusieurs-centimetres-malgre-le-nanisme-ce-que-promettent-ces-nouveaux-traitements-pour-l-achondroplasie-20260815)

Global Health

  • The global resurgence of syphilis. A major setback. New WHO data shows that between 2016 and 2022, new cases of syphilis among 15-49 year olds rose from 6 million to 8 million (https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(26)01646-6/fulltext)
  • Sexually transmitted infections are resurging in Europe. According to The Economist, to prevent them, countries must increase testing and reduce stigma (https://www.economist.com/europe/2026/08/09/sexually-transmitted-infections-are-surging-in-europe)
  • Beyond a smoke-free generation: ending smoking in a generation. The Lancet presents the findings of a panel that worked on this perspective (https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(26)01129-3/fulltext)
  • The most basic responses to the Ebola epidemic are failing. Reducing the spread of cases in Congo would require significantly increasing testing (https://www.theatlantic.com/health/2026/08/ebola-testing/688215/)
  • Le Monde editorial: To fight Ebola, the international response needs to be swift (https://www.lemonde.fr/idees/article/2026/08/14/pour-lutter-contre-ebola-la-reponse-internationale-prise-de-vitesse_6746231_3232.html)
  • Congo reports Ebola deaths in a new province (https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/congo-reports-ebola-death-new-province-official-says-2026-08-13/)

International Health Policy

  • USA
    • The NEJM reviews the role of performance-based pay in US federal institutions (https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMp2605624)
    • Trump signs an executive order to reduce childhood vaccinations. It is unclear whether this order, the third this year on the subject, will have any executive effect (https://www.nytimes.com/2026/08/10/well/trump-vaccines-executive-order.html)
    • Trump intends for the MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine to be given in three separate doses, instead of the combined formula. He went so far as to say that the combination could “be lethal,” contrary to the opinion of researchers (https://www.nytimes.com/2026/08/12/health/mmr-vaccine-combination-separate.html)
    • Le Monde Editorial: Trump’s deplorable offensive against vaccines. The American president is fueling the poison of doubt about vaccines (https://www.lemonde.fr/idees/article/2026/08/12/l-offensive-deplorable-de-donald-trump-contre-les-vaccins_6744947_3232.html)
    • The WHO reminds us that “delaying or modifying” the vaccination schedule exposes children to dangerous diseases. Trump reduces the number of recommended vaccines for American children from 18 to 11 (https://www.consalud.es/profesionales/la-oms-recuerda-que-retrasar-o-modificar-el-calendario-de-vacunacion-expone-a-los-ninos-a-enfermedades-peligrosas.html)
    • Vance pressures the Justice Department to investigate hospitals’ transgender care practices (https://www.politico.com/news/2026/08/13/vance-wants-justice-department-to-investigate-transgender-care-01036842)
    • Luigi Mangione pleads guilty in court to the murder of the UnitedHealth CEO. He could possibly be sentenced to life in prison (https://www.reuters.com/legal/government/luigi-mangione-accused-insurance-ceo-killer-due-court-amid-plea-deal-reports-2026-08-14/)
    • How Fauci got into the legal trouble he’s facing (https://www.nytimes.com/2026/08/05/us/politics/fauci-contempt-vote-congress.html)
  • China
    • In China, treatment for mental illness is a luxury. The government wants to tackle the problem (https://www.economist.com/china/2026/08/13/in-china-treatment-for-mental-health-problems-is-a-luxury)
  • United Kingdom
    • What consequences will Prime Minister Burnham’s “devolution” plans have for the NHS? A major legal battle is brewing here (https://www.kingsfund.org.uk/insight-and-analysis/blogs/andy-burnham-devolution-nhs-health-care)
  • France
    • The Constitutional Council upholds the law creating the right to die, but with three reservations, one of which is that private facilities cannot be compelled to perform this practice (https://www.lemonde.fr/societe/article/2026/08/14/fin-de-vie-le-conseil-constitutionnel-valide-la-loi-creant-un-droit-a-l-aide-a-mourir-en-emettant-trois-reserves_6746258_3224.html)
    • Consequences of the Constitutional Council’s position on the right to die (https://www.lefigaro.fr/actualite-france/aide-a-mourir-quelles-consequences-apres-les-reserves-du-conseil-constitutionnel-20260814)
  • India
    • India’s plans aim to limit health insurance costs, as medical inflation is between 12-14% per year (https://www.reuters.com/legal/litigation/india-plans-insurance-reforms-rein-healthcare-costs-sources-say-2026-08-12/)
  • Argentina
    • Argentina puts an end to “medical tourism”. Two decrees would allow hospitals to bill non-resident foreigners (https://sante.lefigaro.fr/social/sante-publique/l-argentine-met-fin-au-tourisme-sanitaire-20260811)
  • Colombia
    • The earthquake in Colombia: at least 288 dead, more than 4,018 injured, and 202 missing (https://www.elcolombiano.com/colombia/terremoto-colombia-deja-287-muertos-3975-heridos-378-desaparecidos-IG39959742)

National Health Policy

  • Central Administration
    • The Official State Gazette (BOE) formalizes the confidentiality of prices and financing conditions (https://diariofarma.com/2026/07/31/el-boe-oficializa-la-confidencialidad-de-precios-y-condiciones-de-financiacion-en-espana)
    • The Official State Gazette (BOE) formalizes the 2027 European Social Fund (ESF) call for applications: 9,676 for Medical Residents (MIR), 2,341 for Nursing Residents (EIR), and 377 for Pharmacy Residents (FIR) (https://www.diariomedico.com/medicina/medico-joven/mir/boe-oficializa-convocatoria-plazas-fse-2027-9676-mir-2341-eir-377-fir.html)
  • Regional Administrations
    • Valencia creates two new structures to promote and coordinate digital health. The Health Data Office will promote the quality, interoperability, and responsible use of health information to improve care, research, and planning, and the Cybersecurity Office will strengthen the protection of digital systems and infrastructure and contribute to ensuring the continuity of healthcare activity (https://diariofarma.com/2026/08/14/valencia-crea-dos-nuevas-estructuras-para-el-impulso-y-la-coordinacion-de-la-salud-digital)
    • The Basque Country creates an Advisory Council to lead the digital and healthcare transformation in the Basque Country. Organizational Innovation and Digital Transformation are just two of the twenty-four strategic lines designed by the Basque Health Pact (https://www.redaccionmedica.com/autonomias/euskadi/20260810/salud-crea-un-consejo-asesor-experto-para-liderar-la-transformacion-digital-asistencial-en-euskadi/348836_0.html)
    • The Galician Genome Project identifies 42 people with high-risk variants. The program, which aims to improve the prevention and diagnosis of diseases such as hereditary breast and ovarian cancer, Lynch syndrome, and familial hypercholesterolemia, has recruited 4,261 participants to date (https://www.consalud.es/autonomias/galicia/el-proyecto-xenoma-de-galicia-identifica-42-personas-con-variantes-de-alto-riesgo-al-analizar-2504-muestras.html)
    • Asturias will once again have unemployed doctors in the near future. The Regional Ministry of Health, the University, the Medical Association, and the SIMPA (Asturian Medical Union) all predict that, when the students now beginning their studies finish their training, “there will be a surplus of professionals” (https://www.lne.es/asturias/2026/08/10/asturias-volvera-medicos-paro-plazo-133212003.html)
  • The Ceuta conflict
    • Mónica García, after being booed in Ceuta, denies a “healthcare collapse,” acknowledges cases of tuberculosis, and says she will collaborate (https://www.larazon.es/espana/monica-garcia-ser-abucheada-ceuta-niega-colapso-sanitario-reconoce-casos-tuberculosis-anuncia-colaboracion_202608166a81b1e9a5690f04737cfa80.html)
    • The reality in Ceuta shows unsanitary conditions, Fear and one bathroom for 400 people: “A cough could be tuberculosis” (https://www.redaccionmedica.com/politica/sanidad-hoy/20260815/la-realidad-en-ceuta-muestra-insalubridad-miedo-un-bano-para-personas-tos-puede-ser-tuberculosis/349182_0.html)
    • Ceuta at its limit: overflowing emergency rooms, overwhelmed residents, and siren noises (https://elpais.com/espana/2026-08-16/ceuta-al-limite-urgencias-repletas-vecinos-desbordados-y-ruidos-de-sirena.html)
    • Mónica García still hasn’t set foot in Ceuta, despite having exclusive jurisdiction, while doctors denounce scenes of chaos. Healthcare workers criticize the fact that the situation continues to worsen (https://www.elespanol.com/invertia/observatorios/sanidad/20260815/monica-garcia-sigue-sin-pisar-ceuta-pese-tener-competencia-exclusiva-medicos-denuncian-escenas-caos/1003744353082_0.html)
    • The Ministry of Health states that “there has been and is no lack of care whatsoever in Ceuta,” despite the migration crisis, responding to the president of the city’s Medical Association (https://www.elespanol.com/invertia/observatorios/sanidad/20260811/sanidad-afirma-existido-existe-falta-atencion-alguna-ceuta-pese-crisis-migratoria/1003744350250_0.html)
    • CESM asks The Confederation of Health Workers of Ceuta (CESM) considers the Minister’s response insufficient to address a situation that doctors have been denouncing for years and demands direct and urgent intervention from INGESA (https://www.consalud.es/profesionales/cesm-reclama-a-sanidad-que-asuma-sus-responsabilidades-y-visite-los-centros-sanitarios-de-ceuta.html)

Companies

  • International
    • How the merger of Astra Zeneca with BMS is failing (https://www.ft.com/content/2eb0a79c-f5cd-415c-9f72-3c8d576329c1?syn-25a6b1a6=1). Astra Zeneca investors have reservations regarding the merger: https://www.ft.com/content/6d40c74b-ac40-42f1-9387-957925f48daa?syn-25a6b1a6=1
    • The Agnelli family’s Exor fund can control 22% of Philips, under an agreement (https://www.reuters.com/legal/transactional/agnelli-familys-exor-can-raise-philips-stake-22-under-updated-agreement-2026-08-11/)
  • National
    • The Catalan pharmaceutical company Accure Therapeutics sells two drugs to the Swiss company Oculis (https://www.eleconomista.es/salud-bienestar/noticias/14007594/08/26/la-farmaceutica-catalana-accure-therapeutics-vende-dos-farmacos-a-la-suiza-oculis.html)
    • Faes Farma increases its business outside Spain by 83% after the purchase of SIFI and Edol. The Basque company entered 142.4 million until June compared to the 77.8 million registered a year before (https://www.eleconomista.es/salud-bienestar/noticias/14007205/08/26/faes-farma-incrementa-un-83-su-negocio-fuera-de-espana-tras-la-compra-de-sifi-y-edol.html)
    • The healthcare giant Werfen, owned by the Rubiralta family, returns to distribute dividends (https://cincodias.elpais.com/companias/2026-08-11/el-gigante-sanitario-werfen-vuelta-a-repartir-dividendos-34-millones-para-la-familia-rubiralta.html)

 

 

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