⁤The European Commission has initiated an investigation into China’s public procurement practices for medical devices, increasing trade tensions ahead of President Xi Jinping’s visit to Europe. ⁤⁤This investigation, the first under the EU International Procurement Instrument (IPI), seeks to determine if European suppliers are being fairly treated in the Chinese market. ⁤⁤This could lead to restrictions on Chinese companies in EU public tenders if found unfair. ⁤⁤The investigation launched by the European Commission reflects a broader EU strategy to ensure reciprocity and open markets, echoin ..read more

In 2024, medical affairs teams are pivotal in driving strategic impact within the pharmaceutical industry. They navigate challenges in organizational transformation, artificial intelligence (AI) integration, and omnichannel engagement. Transforming organizational structures involves alignment with broader goals and excelling in scientific engagement. AI offers potential to streamline these processes and enhance decision-making, ultimately requiring a balanced implementation to supplement human expertise. Omnichannel strategies engage healthcare professionals across multiple platforms, shifti ..read more

Chiesi Global Rare Diseases has published survey results in the Orphanet Journal of Rare Diseases that underscore the persistent awareness gap and unique struggles of rare disease patients, specifically those with Fabry disease. Giacomo Chiesi emphasizes the importance of understanding the disease from a patient’s viewpoint to enhance healthcare delivery. The survey, involving 280 adult patients mainly from the U.S. and Canada, aimed to shed light on their daily challenges, disease monitoring patterns, and treatment impacts on quality of life. The findings revealed common symptoms like fatig ..read more

⁤The World Health Organization (WHO) has recently announced a revision of its classification of airborne pathogens, including SARS-CoV-2, after criticism of delayed recognition during the pandemic. ⁤⁤The WHO’s technical report replaces the previous three categories of viral transmission airborne, droplet, and aerosol, with “infectious respiratory particles”. ⁤⁤However, experts argue the term “through the air” is vague preferring “airborne” to describe transmission. ⁤⁤Despite debates, an overall agreement on the report’s importance for future pandemics was achieved amongst experts, as the ref ..read more

⁤Medical research and clinical trials have historically favored urban communities, resulting in an underrepresentation of rural communities. Real-world data (RWD) gathered from sources like electronic health records offers insights that transcend geographic limitations, revealing how factors like limited access to healthcare impact the health outcomes of rural communities. ⁤ ⁤Programs like the National Cancer Institute in Appalachia utilize RWD to understand and improve cancer screening rates. ⁤⁤The COVID-19 pandemic particularly highlighted the need for rural inclusion in clinical trials to ..read more

The ISPOR 2024 conference, a key event for Health Economics and Outcomes Research (HEOR), will take place from May 5th to 8th in Atlanta, Georgia. This global gathering, of which is expected to draw nearly 5000 participants, will explore the theme “HEOR: A Transformative Force for Whole Health.” The conference features three plenary sessions focusing on the impact of HEOR on healthcare decision-making and whole-person health. Highlights include discussions on the successes of whole health initiatives, integration of real-world HEOR data, and the potential of AI in health technology assessmen ..read more

The Global Real World Evidence (RWE) Solutions Market is forecasted to grow from 2.7 billion (USD) in 2023 to 5.8 billion by 2033, with a CAGR of 7.9% from 2024 to 2033, as per Market.us. This growth is driven by the increasing utility of RWE in strategic decision-making across healthcare sectors. The report provides detailed insights into market dynamics, key segments, and competitive strategies, while also providing information about service types, applications in drug and medical device sectors, and market performance across North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, South America, and the ..read more

Takeda’s Entyvio, a medication for Crohn’s disease, has been approved for a subcutaneous (SC) formulation. Originally an intravenous (IV) infusion drug from 2014, this new option allows patients to self-administer the treatment with a prefilled pen, offering convenience and flexibility for at-home use. Takeda announced this label expansion after a similar approval for ulcerative colitis, providing patients the ability to choose between SC injections for more independence or IV therapy for continued healthcare provider interaction. Despite initial FDA concerns in 2019 about device design and ..read more

As H5N1 bird flu spreads across U.S. dairy cattle herds, significant concerns have arisen regarding the virus’s impact on cattle and the potential risks to human health. Initially detected in a Texas dairy herd, the virus has since been identified in 29 herds across eight states. Despite these developments, the U.S. government has been slow to release crucial data, such as whether pasteurization effectively neutralizes the virus in milk, which has frustrated scientists and pandemic experts globally. International experts are particularly concerned about the possibility of the virus evolving ..read more

Abbott Laboratories experienced a robust first quarter in 2024, driven primarily by its medical devices segment. This resulted in overall sales surpassing Wall Street forecasts and an updated, optimistic financial outlook for the year. The company reported a 2.2% increase in total sales year-over-year, reaching $10 billion, despite a 2.1% drop in domestic sales. However, international sales climbed by 5.2%. The medical devices unit was particularly successful, posting a 14.2% growth to $4.4 billion. High-performing subcategories included diabetes care, electrophysiology, neuromodulation, and ..read more