Salute e ricerca

The private healthcare sector consolidates a turnover of 13.4 billion euros and is set to close 2025 with further expansion driven by the nursing home sector, with groups like KOS and Sereni Orizzonti, while hospitality leaders Papiniano and Humanitas strengthen their market position. All the details.

Novo Nordisk accuses Eli Lilly of misleading advertising regarding GLP-1 drugs, but between the two heavyweights in anti-obesity medications, is it the American pharmaceutical company that played dirty or the Danish biotech that fears its rival? Facts and comments.

Cyclosporiasis, an infection that causes gastrointestinal issues, has already affected 1,645 people in the United States since May 1, with over 5,100 cases under investigation in 34 states, 141 hospitalizations, and no reported deaths. Investigations are focusing on possible food sources, including lettuce and other fresh produce. Facts, figures, and comments.

Innovative Publishing launches a new editorial initiative: Start Health and Research. “Health Ecosystem,” the first issue, features contributions from Orazio Schillaci, Edmondo Cirielli, Marcello Cattani, Dario Bressanini, Chiara Saraceno, and Ilaria Villa, among others.

The State of New York accuses 3M, DuPont, and other companies of hiding the risks of PFAS for decades, endangering public health and the environment, and demands cleanups, consumer warnings, and compensation. All the details.

It is estimated that over 55 million people worldwide live with some form of dementia, with Alzheimer’s disease being the most common cause, while Italy could become the EU country with the highest incidence of dementia by 2050. However, the FDA has approved a new self-injectable home administration of the drug by Eisai and Biogen. All the details.

The European Commission has signed a joint procurement contract with Moderna that makes up to 24 million doses of its vaccine against the respiratory syncytial virus available to six countries, aiming to reduce the burden of respiratory infections on healthcare systems. All the details.

After the European Commission challenged Sanofi over a possible disparagement campaign against CSL Seqirus’s vaccine, the French group committed to reviewing its communication to avoid an EU antitrust fine. All the details.

As more and more people take weight loss medications that can alter taste perception, Nestlé—and others—are revising their recipes, considering more pepper and spices to make products more flavorful. However, experts warn against “GLP-1 Friendly” labels. Facts and comments.

A new study questions the safety of fluazinam, a fungicide still used in Italy, indicating possible effects on brain development and prompting EFSA to reassess its authorization. All the details.

A Gimbe report reveals that Italy has not yet adopted 4 of the 9 measures necessary for the new European anti-counterfeiting system for medicines and suffers from significant technological delays, with nearly three out of four healthcare facilities lacking automated warehouses and 29% of departments still not using barcodes for traceability. All the details.

Why are there few air conditioners in many European cities despite the United Nations IPCC recommendations? An in-depth analysis by the Wall Street Journal

Data from the Censis Report highlights the need to rethink welfare, healthcare, assistance, and intergenerational relationships to build a country truly tailored to the elderly. The contribution of Francesco Provinciali, member of the scientific technical committee of the Varenna Foundation for Childhood and Adolescence.

To investigate potential risks related to national security, a committee of the United States House of Representatives has launched an inquiry into clinical trials conducted in China by Merck and AbbVie, later expanding it to include Eli Lilly, Pfizer, and Bristol Myers Squibb. Facts, figures, and comments.

The speech by Francesco Provinciali, member of the scientific technical committee of the Varenna Foundation for Childhood and Adolescence

After more than twenty years, the FDA has authorized a new ingredient for sunscreens for the first time, allowing the use of bemotrizinol, already widespread in other countries, and expanding protection options against UV rays in the United States. Facts and comments.

The FDA has approved the first generic version of Xofluza produced by Norwich Pharmaceuticals, opening the U.S. market to competition for Roche’s single-dose antiviral drug used for the treatment and prevention of influenza in patients aged 5 and older. All the details.

The hacker group FulcrumSec claims to have stolen 1.3 terabytes of sensitive data and demanded a $25 million ransom from Novo Nordisk. A second group reportedly made a demand of $50 million. At the center of the case are intellectual property, clinical data, and artificial intelligence projects. All the details.

Better to waste money and aid than to donate it. This is the policy chosen by the Trump administration, which, rather than sending contraceptives to low-income countries, prefers to pay $25,000 a month to keep them locked in a warehouse in Belgium, where in the meantime they have become unusable. Facts and figures.

The 2025 monitoring by the Global Network for Privacy Enforcement on 900 websites and apps reveals easily bypassed age verifications, invasive requests for personal data, and still inadequate protections for minors. The intervention of Francesco Provinciali, member of the scientific technical committee of the Varenna Foundation for Childhood and Adolescence.

The flop of the Schillaci reform of health houses: analysis and perspectives. The intervention of Massimo Balducci.

Are you sure you’re hungry or is it just lunchtime? The long success of the breakfast-lunch-dinner model. The Guardian article

The revolt of the white coats halts the reform desired by the Minister of Health Orazio Schillaci and the Regions. The government backtracks, Bertolaso’s Lombardy flies into a rage, and a clash erupts within the majority. Facts and behind-the-scenes details.

British researchers have developed the first vaccine entirely designed by artificial intelligence with the aim of preventing future pandemics, surpassing the traditional model that chases the evolution of viruses. All the details.

Sanofi prematurely halts a late-stage trial of an experimental antibody for a rare autoimmune disease after interim results indicate insufficient efficacy, causing the stock to slide on the market amid analysts’ concerns about the group’s pipeline. Facts and comments.

To accelerate antibody design with artificial intelligence and strengthen new drug research, Pfizer has chosen Chai Discovery, a young San Francisco-based company supported by OpenAI and valued at $550 million. All the details.

The Trump administration’s drug policy continues to impact the Old Continent, and Big Pharma is riding the wave. After Pfizer, AstraZeneca also threatens Europe with delays in launching new therapies if spending on innovative medicines does not increase.

According to a FAO report, without targeted interventions, the use of antibiotics in livestock farming could increase by 30% by 2040, fueling the spread of resistant bacteria and worsening one of the main threats to global health. Facts, figures, and comments.

International studies show a significant underrepresentation of African patients in clinical trials, with consequences for care and public health. The article from Le Monde

The speech by Luigi Capoani, professor of International Economics at Ca’ Foscari University of Venice and president of the European Youth Think Tank.

A record overspending of 3.7 billion euros on pharmaceutical expenses in the first ten months of 2025, and the gap in hospital purchases is putting the National Health Service’s finances at risk. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health is seeking clarifications from AIFA and is considering a revision of the drug formulary to contain costs. Facts, figures, and tensions.

Are we going extinct because of smartphones? An analysis by the Financial Times sparks debate, but demographers are not convinced. The article by Stefano Feltri taken from Appunti

Ebola outbreak? The risk for Europe and North America remains very low, but the possibility of widespread transmission in the heart of Africa cannot be ruled out. Excerpt from an in-depth analysis by Alberto Maraolo, researcher in Infectious Diseases at the University of Naples “Federico II” and member of the technical-scientific unit of SIMIT, the Italian Society of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, taken from Stefano Feltri’s Notes.

The overuse of proton pump inhibitors, commonly known as gastroprotectors, has led Aifa to redefine the boundaries of their use for both health and economic reasons. In 2024, public pharmaceutical spending on these products reached 619.80 million euros, and it is estimated that 10.5 million Italians take them. Facts, figures, and comments.

To debut outside the United States, where Eli Lilly’s presence is becoming overwhelming, the Danish company Novo Nordisk is focusing on the United Arab Emirates, which has just approved the oral version of Wegovy. The country indeed records some of the highest rates of obesity and diabetes in the region. Facts, figures, and comments.

Although it is not yet possible to speak of a definitive cure, Daraxonrasib, the oral treatment from Revolution Medicines, marks a historic step forward in the fight against advanced pancreatic cancer. Here is what the results and experts say. Facts, figures, and comments.

According to a recent study, the climate crisis is accelerating a global increase in antibiotic resistance, a problem that poses a serious threat to human health. Facts and comments.

Insilico Medicine and Human Longevity will develop an artificial intelligence model to predict age-related diseases and accelerate the research of anti-aging therapies in a market that could reach 8 trillion dollars by 2030. Facts and comments.

What emerges from the Anvur report on the quality of Italian university research presented on May 28. The intervention of economist Chiara Oldani

A new decree published in the Official Gazette establishes the definitive inclusion of osteopathy in the National Health Service and sets the criteria for the recognition of professional qualifications along with the obligation of university certification within six years. All the details and reactions.

Bristol Myers Squibb is betting on Anthropic’s AI, but more and more pharmaceutical companies are striking billion-dollar deals with tech firms to accelerate research, clinical trials, and production. Meanwhile, China is emerging as a new global hub for biotech and drug discovery. Facts, figures, and commentary.

The Censis Report describes an anthropological transformation even before a demographic one in a society where having children is no longer a natural continuation of life but a fragile, costly choice increasingly burdened with anxiety and loneliness. The intervention of Francesco Provinciali, member of the scientific technical committee of the Varenna Foundation for childhood and adolescence.

Sandoz is asking Brussels to investigate Chinese imports of amoxicillin trihydrate, claiming that public subsidies and below-market prices could threaten European production and the security of supply of essential antibiotics. All the details.

The pharmaceutical industry remains one of the driving sectors of Made in Italy, with exports growing despite wars, trade tensions, and international instability. However, to maintain this position, it is necessary to invest consistently and accelerate decision-making processes through structural reforms, both in Italy and Europe.

A joint investigation by Radio France, RTBF, and RTS accuses Nestlé and Danone of delaying notifications and recalls after the discovery of a toxin in infant formula distributed in over 65 countries. All the details.

Trump expands his online pharmacy TrumpRx from just over 70 medicines to more than 600 generic drugs. However, doubts remain about real savings, comparisons with insurance, and actual benefits for most patients. Facts, figures, and comments.

The Trump administration lifts limits on 4 PFAS present in the drinking water of over 200 million Americans and postpones until 2031 part of the restrictions introduced by Biden against substances linked to cancer and other serious illnesses, sparking discontent even among its supporters. Facts, figures, and comments.

A study by Cornell University has identified a specific phase of sperm production that can be targeted reversibly to create a new non-hormonal male contraceptive. All the details.

The Minister of Health, Orazio Schillaci, speaking by phone at the Capri Talks, outlines the challenges and issues of the universal healthcare system: waiting lists, aging population, insufficient resources. And more…