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Artificial intelligence speaks out.
— The majority of World Health Organization member states today are likely to send a political signal to Russia that war is unacceptable.
— Markets need to be actively and collaboratively shaped to prioritize human and planetary health. says a new WHO report.
— MEPs join forces to form an action group Medical use of psychedelics.
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Political movements at WHA: The current World Health Assembly (WHA) is set to vote today on a pro-European resolution condemning Russia’s war in Ukraine and its devastating health impact. While it won’t have many tangible repercussions, this is another political signal for Russia that Russia’s war is not accepted by many World Health Organization (WHO) member states. Countries are also set to vote on counter-proposals from Russia and Syria, which Ukraine called Tuesday a “desperate attempt to treat aggressors as victims and avoid responsibility for the attack on Ukraine’s health system.” explained.
“War comes at a cost to the aggressor.” Ukraine called on states to reject the Russian resolution, stating that “causing a serious health emergency and causing the destruction of large-scale medical structures is unacceptable in this parliament and an aggressor state.” “It sends a clear signal that there will be a price to pay.” ”
The cost of war on health: The effects of the war on Ukraine’s health care system have been devastating. Ukraine outlined the damage. Over 1,256 health facilities were damaged, with 177 reduced to rubble. About 237 medical workers and patients were killed or injured. And 21% of all ambulances were damaged or destroyed.
New treaty text: Much of Tuesday’s discussion at WHA concerned health preparedness and ongoing negotiations on amendments to the pandemic treaty and the International Health Regulations. There is now a new draft finalized by the body coordinating treaty negotiations. Full article (and text) in Morning Health here. But the short answer is that while the text is much simplified, it still contains very different options for countries to negotiate, and whether a compromise can be found is an open question.
Today’s diary: WHA is midweek, but there are no signs of slowing down. This morning, the Pandemic Action Network (PAN) and Spark Street Advisors hosted a discussion on securing political leadership at a high-level conference on pandemic prevention, preparedness and response, while pharmaceutical group IFPMA stepped up clinical trials. Host an event about
at lunch time, The official WHO event will focus on the role of the health community in combating climate change, and Médecins Sans Frontières will host a session on Ebola drug research and development and lessons learned from limited access.
in the evening, Sweden and the EU are hosting an event on a new global health partnership, where Roche and Foreign Policy will discuss diagnostics. Other options include events on medical oxygen from France, Unitaid, and PATH, as well as sessions on pediatric medicines hosted by DNDi, the Pharmaceutical Patent Pool, and the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation.See the full side event agenda here.
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The economics of health for all: Also on Tuesday evening, alongside WHO, the final report of the WHO Council on the Economics of Universal Health, established in November 2020 by WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus in response to the pandemic. A book was also published. “Our final report calls for new economic policies that proactively and cooperatively shape markets that prioritize human and planetary health, rather than market lock-in,” he said. Mariana MazzcatoUniversity College London.
New approach: This report focuses on assessing and measuring what matters through new economic indicators. How to finance everyone’s health as a long-term investment rather than a short-term cost. How to advance health innovation for the common good. How to strengthen the capacity of a dynamic public sector to achieve health for all.find it here.
**Message from PPTA: Increase in EU plasma donations Over the last 20 years, it has been mainly from the private sector, which accounts for 46% of raw plasma in Europe. This contribution comes only from the four EU Member States (Austria, Czech Republic, Germany and Hungary) where both the private and public sectors are active.**
Psychedelic MEP: When MEP Action Groups are formed, something turns out to be important. And today, such an association on the medical use of psychedelics has been launched. This comes at a time when clinical trial data are beginning to accumulate on the potential benefits of some psychedelic compounds in treating certain mental health disorders. MEP Sarah Serdas, co-chair of the group, said they would “lead an institutional debate on the therapeutic applications of psychedelics”.
in line with the release, Psychedelics Access and Research Europe Alliance (PAREA) and Psychedelics Europe are co-hosting a closed-door lunch event in Parliament today. For those invited: David Nutt, famous for psychedelic research and president of PAREA; Geert Dom, president of the European Psychiatric Association; This is your chance to ask questions. Participant and co-founder of PsyPAN.
Strategies for Wrapping Knuckles Over Alcohol (Non): The UK government is not taking alcohol harm seriously enough, with deaths rising 89% over the past two decades and sharply higher since the start of the pandemic, according to the UK Public Accounts Commission. report Published today.
Overdone: About 10 million people in the UK drink more than recommended and about 1.7 million drink at levels that pose a high risk of harm, of whom 600,000 are dependent. Although the numbers are old, alcohol has been linked to more than 100 of her illnesses, costing the NHS and society at least £25 billion a year. But despite evidence showing that every pound spent on treatment yields immediate benefits of £3 and more in the long run, alcohol has been the focus since 2012. A targeted strategy does not exist, and its latest plan was abandoned in 2020.
“Today’s report reveals a lack of political will to address alcohol harm,” said MP Dan Carden, who led the investigation. “The government’s record of alcohol harm is one of policies abolished and promises broken.” It recommends measures such as
This is very different from the Irish approach. neighboring country introduced A new law was enacted this week to add labels warning of cancer risks to alcoholic beverages. However, an alliance of EU member states is already planning to oppose Ireland’s position. Italy, France, Spain, Bulgaria, Greece, Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia and Portugal have all reportedly endorsed an informal policy document calling on the European Commission to initiate dialogue with the Irish government. Euractive.
Friends in high places: Ireland’s Health Minister Stephen Donnelly listened to Tedros at the WHA on Tuesday to talk about his country’s world-leading position on alcohol labeling, saying he was “enthusiastic to share our experience with other countries”. rice field. He also met with WHO European Director Hans Kluge.
The dark side of vaping: For countries seeking public health measures to reduce smoking rates, this article is for you. BBC Chills come from smoking highly toxic e-cigarettes found at school. A study found that in just one school, e-cigarette products used by children contained high levels of metals, including more than twice the daily safe amount of lead and nine times the safe amount of nickel. It turned out that Exposure of children to high levels of lead can affect neurological development.
Most of the products are illegal, raising questions about the adequacy of the UK e-cigarette regulatory system run by the medicines regulator MHRA. “None of these should be put on the market. The MHRA said it would investigate.
Artificial intelligence and vaccine misinformation: artificial intelligence make Your way to healthcare. And while it can be transformative if used properly and judiciously, it also carries significant risks from vaccine misinformation, warns Moderna chief medical officer Paul Burton. “With the rapid emergence of artificial intelligence, the potential for misinformation and disinformation to spread on the internet will become more and more likely,” he told Morning Health.
Rolling up the (regulatory) sleeves: Burton said social media is a “double-edged sword”, saying that while many people want quality and reliable information, it is flooded with misinformation and disinformation. pointed out. through it. “The European Union could actually regulate it and have some guidance on what is disinformation and what to do when it comes out,” he said.
One of the key lessons about the pandemic About the hesitation to vaccines? “I think we’ve learned…that the main sources of information need to be governments and health officials,” Barton said.
Reduced VAX rate: Britain’s deputy health minister on Monday sought to allay concerns that vaccination coverage, especially among young children, has declined in recent years, especially during and since the pandemic. Ms Maria Caulfield presented evidence to Parliament’s Health Committee that the UK remains “one of the largest immunization programs in the world, and the reliability and uptake of our vaccines” through all vaccination programmes. is one of the highest in the world,” he said.
It is working: Caulfield acknowledged there were some “challenges,” but said, “We are well positioned to address many of them.” This includes excellent live data for observing coverage dips. Improve access in schools, nursing homes and pharmacies. and to introduce intervention programs in communities with low coverage.
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The EMA has issued 10 items of guidance for addressing drug shortages. wrap.
**Message from PPTA: Medicines made from human plasma are essential for the approximately 300,000 patients across the EU who rely on these therapies every day to treat a range of rare, chronic and life-threatening diseases. Without these treatments, the quality of life for many patients is greatly reduced, and some may not survive. Plasma-derived medicines are often the only treatment option for these rare diseases. New indications, improved diagnostic techniques, improved access to treatment in other parts of the world, and increased use in cancer therapy-induced secondary immunodeficiency have contributed to the growing clinical need for PDMP. continue.and Europe now depends on the US for about 40% of its plasma Necessary for the manufacture of PDMPs to treat the population, but new SoHO regulations fit for purpose To increase much-needed plasma donations in Europe.**