Salute e ricerca

Cardiovascular diseases represent the leading cause of mortality worldwide, with approximately 17.9 million deaths each year, accounting for about 31% of total deaths. In this context, cigarette smoking is recognized as the most important preventable cause. A recent review of the international scientific literature, just published, analyzed the available evidence on the cardiovascular effects of nicotine-containing products without combustion (electronic cigarettes and heated tobacco products), compared to cigarette smoking.

One year after its announcement, the preliminary agreement on the Critical Medicines Act marks a step forward in the European strategy to reduce dependence on China and India, strengthen domestic production of essential medicines, and make procurement more coordinated among Member States. All the details.

A second blood test developed by Roche and Eli Lilly has obtained CE marking and can be used to confirm or exclude Alzheimer’s already in the early stages of cognitive decline, reducing the need for invasive and costly examinations. All the details.

Hantavirus cases have caused a brief rise in pharmaceutical stocks, including Moderna’s, which is studying a vaccine for the disease, but it seems more like a reaction driven by sentiment than by a real profit outlook. Here’s why. Facts, figures, and comments.

Four deaths and eight suspected cases aboard the MV Hondius: the WHO reassures about the global risk, while Europe and South Africa monitor contacts of passengers disembarked from the cruise ship affected by the Andes strain of hantavirus. Excerpt from the European Morning Briefing.

What emerges from the letter that 26 scientists and public health experts sent to the leaders of the European Commission regarding the regulatory approach to tobacco and nicotine?

The United States Supreme Court has temporarily restored access to mifepristone via telemedicine and mail, suspending the ban imposed by a federal Court of Appeals in what is the main abortion case following the overturning of the Roe v. Wade ruling in 2022. Facts, figures, and positions.

France leads the emergency psychiatry revolution by becoming the first country in the world to authorize the hospital protocol with intravenous ketamine for the treatment of acute suicidal crises. All the details.

Sharp increases in taxes on alcohol and junk food. These are the best remedies to reduce the approximately 780 daily deaths from liver diseases in Europe, according to the EASL–Lancet Commission, which identifies alcohol consumption, obesity, and poor diet among the main preventable causes. Facts, figures, and comments.

Despite over 900,000 deaths in the United States linked to the opioid crisis caused, among others, by OxyContin, the well-known painkiller from Purdue Pharma of the Sackler family, the company—which will cease to exist—will settle the matter by paying $5.5 billion and founding a new company focused on the public good. Facts and comments.

According to Bloomberg, Angelini Pharma is targeting the U.S. market with a potential $3.6 billion acquisition of Catalyst Pharmaceuticals, a biopharmaceutical company that has seen a 24% increase in its stock over the past twelve months and holds exclusive rights to therapies for rare diseases. Facts, names, and figures.

The European Commission has authorized Rhapsido (remibrutinib) from Novartis, the first targeted oral treatment without monitoring for adults with chronic spontaneous urticaria uncontrolled by H1 antihistamines, a condition that significantly impacts the quality of life of about 1% of the population. Facts and comments.

Family doctors: what is the best solution for citizens. Sacconi’s “Free Song” published in QN

Trump has initiated the reclassification of cannabis, opening the door to research and new tax benefits, but there are criticisms from doctors and mixed reactions from politicians and markets. Facts and comments.

According to experts, the regulation of minor influencers is in a legal gray area, as children promote products on social media. The article from the Guardian newspaper

The Schillaci reform of primary care has sparked protests from the general practitioners’ union, which warns of the risk of an impersonal “health supermarket” and cautions that the new rules on dependency could lead to a mass exodus of younger doctors, destroying the traditional trust relationship with patients. Facts and comments.

On Wednesday, April 15, the Environment Committee of the European Parliament adopted a compromise position on the use of hazardous substances in personal hygiene and care products. The regulations have been made less strict, but to a lesser extent than the industry had hoped. An in-depth report by the newspaper Le Monde.

While Trump restricts Chinese biotech suppliers, Big Pharma funds and acquires innovation from China, strengthening an already critical dependency in production and increasingly central also in pharmaceutical research. The article by Mario Seminerio, curator of the Phastidio blog

Novo Nordisk has announced a partnership with OpenAI. Meanwhile, Amazon is launching an AI-based search tool to accelerate drug discovery. Here’s how AI is increasingly infiltrating the pharma sector. Facts and figures.

Who was there and what was said at the Farmindustria event, organized on the occasion of Made in Italy Day

Youth, children, fears, violence: politics has little to do with it. Battista Falconi’s editorial.

Burnout and mental health crises are driving the surge in absenteeism in France amid intense work rhythms, disorganized teleworking, and growing professional disenchantment even among the youngest. Meanwhile, the government is preparing measures to limit short absences and combat falsifications. The article from Libération is taken from Liturri’s review.

Seventeen of the largest pharmaceutical companies have signed an agreement with the White House to reduce the prices of products imported into the United States, but those who have not reached an agreement will face 100% tariffs, with some exceptions. All the details.

According to the think tank International Panel of Experts on Sustainable Food Systems, Google, Microsoft, Amazon, IBM, and Alibaba, through the use of AI and in collaboration with agrochemical companies such as Bayer, BASF, and Corteva, influence farmers on what to grow, often focusing on the most productive and profitable crops. Facts, figures, and comments.

With the TrumpRx platform, the President of the United States promised cheaper drugs for Americans, but some investigations show prices often higher than in Europe and Japan, with discounts limited to a few drugs and to those who pay out of pocket. Facts, figures, and comments.

Eli Lilly aims to overtake Novo Nordisk with its weight loss pill Foundayo, recently approved by the FDA, and is betting on treatments for narcolepsy and wakefulness disorders with the acquisition of Centessa for nearly 8 billion dollars. Facts, figures, and forecasts.

From the digital emulation of a fruit fly brain on a chip to the prospects of replicating complex organs, progress opens revolutionary scenarios between scientific innovation and delicate ethical questions about humans and consciousness. The article by Francesco Provinciali

“Baby Bang: Lives on Hold. Young People Searching for a Tomorrow” (Rubbettino Editore) by Vincenzo Abbatantuono and Angelo Palmieri, narrated by Francesco Provinciali

The Pfizer and Valneva vaccine candidate exceeds 70% efficacy but fails to meet a key objective. The companies are nonetheless preparing for discussions with regulatory authorities amid growing skepticism about vaccines in the United States. Facts, figures, and comments.

In Brussels, during Brain Awareness Week, institutions, experts, and industry discussed European strategies for brain health. Among the speakers, Agnese Cattaneo, CMO of Angelini Pharma, emphasized the importance of a stable and coordinated ecosystem that supports high-risk research and accelerates the transfer of scientific discoveries to patients. All the details

The meningitis B outbreak in the United Kingdom, which has so far caused 2 deaths and at least 27 cases, is concerning due to its rapid and widespread spread. Meanwhile, health authorities have launched a vaccination campaign targeting 5,000 students with GSK’s Bexsero, considered effective in reducing the risk of invasive disease by 70-85%, but the high demand is putting pressure on local pharmacies. Facts, figures, and comments.

Superbugs and antibiotic resistance have been troubling the United States, Europe, and Italy for years. Resources and political measures have been implemented, yet according to experts, the pipeline for new drugs is “alarmingly scarce.” Here are which pharmaceutical companies are doing better (and which worse). Facts, names, and comments.

Zealand Pharma’s shares plummet following the phase 2 study results of the obesity drug petrelintide developed with Roche, as efficacy data fall short of investor expectations compared to rival treatments from Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk. Facts, figures, and comments.

No “tofu steak,” but burgers, nuggets, or sausages can also be plant-based. After months of discussions, the EU has chosen a compromise, but Italy, despite its fight against meat sounding, says it is satisfied. Facts and comments.