Intellectual Property Dispute Stalls WHO Decision on Global AMR Strategy 04/02/2026 Felix Sassmannshausen A dispute over technology transfer rights pushed the World Health Organization (WHO) to delay its Global Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) for further informal talks. Instead, the Executive Board approved a compromise drafted by Nepal and Ethiopia on Wednesday to reopen negotiations on intellectual property, specifically regarding “voluntary and mutually agreed technology transfers.” This […] Continue reading -> WHO to Overhaul Global Emergency Care Strategy as 2030 SDGs Fade Out of Reach 04/02/2026 Felix Sassmannshausen The World Health Organization (WHO) is set for a massive shift in global health priorities with a new emergency care strategy, moving away from isolated hospital “silos” toward a seamless continuum of care. On Tuesday, the Executive Board unanimously adopted a 10-year strategy (2026 to 2035) for Integrated Emergency, Critical, and Operative Care (ECO), positioning […] Continue reading -> EU Parliament Backs Critical Medicines Act, Sparking Supply Concerns in Africa 21/01/2026 Felix Sassmannshausen STRASBOURG – The European Parliament backed the EU’s Critical Medicines Act (CMA) on Tuesday in a decisive move to secure Europe’s pharmaceutical supply chains from geopolitical shocks. With an overwhelming majority of 503 votes in favour, 57 against, and 108 abstentions, MEPs endorsed a sweeping industrial policy designed to re-shore the production of active ingredients […] Continue reading -> EU and US Regulators Reach Landmark Accord on AI Principles in Drug Development 16/01/2026 Felix Sassmannshausen The European Medicines Agency (EMA) and the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have jointly established new AI principles in drug development to reduce regulatory divergence between the major markets of the European Union and the United States. Industry associations have applauded the landmark accord, as it strengthens harmonisation across the regions – but emphasise […] Continue reading -> Most Vaccine Hesitancy can be Successfully Overcome, New Lancet Study Finds 14/01/2026 Felix Sassmannshausen Fears over the side effects of COVID-19 jabs, which led to initial vaccine hesitancy, mostly gave way to acceptance in the course of the pandemic, with only a small minority remaining unvaccinated due to deep-seated mistrust, a new major study published in The Lancet finds. For the first time, the study “Profiling vaccine attitudes and […] Continue reading -> EXCLUSIVE: Germany to Halve Funding for Pandemic Hub Amid Global Health Pull-back 08/01/2026 Felix Sassmannshausen The German government is set to halve its funding for the Berlin-based WHO Hub for Pandemic and Epidemic Intelligence this year as part of a broader retreat from global health and aid financing under Chancellor Friedrich Merz. Funding for the pandemic surveillance hub will be reduced from €30 million yearly to €15 million, with only […] Continue reading -> New Flu Strain Sweeping Europe Says WHO; but Vaccines Remain Effective, ECDC Finds 19/12/2025 Felix Sassmannshausen Sudden fever, a severe cough and acute respiratory distress are the familiar onset symptoms of seasonal flu, which has affected WHO’s European Region with unusual intensity and speed this year. As the Northern Hemisphere enters winter, health systems are struggling to manage an epidemic driven by an aggressive, genetically mutated influenza strain A(H3N2) subclade K. […] Continue reading -> EU Clinches Landmark Pharma Reform, but Industry Cites Threat to Competitiveness 12/12/2025 Felix Sassmannshausen Following eleven hours of intense negotiations overnight, the European Union (EU) clinched a landmark agreement on the most significant pharma reform of its medicines market in over 20 years on Thursday. Reached in the final moments of the Danish EU Presidency’s mandate, the deal aims to strike a critical balance stimulating pharma innovation, particularly for […] Continue reading -> Posts navigation Newer posts
WHO to Overhaul Global Emergency Care Strategy as 2030 SDGs Fade Out of Reach 04/02/2026 Felix Sassmannshausen The World Health Organization (WHO) is set for a massive shift in global health priorities with a new emergency care strategy, moving away from isolated hospital “silos” toward a seamless continuum of care. On Tuesday, the Executive Board unanimously adopted a 10-year strategy (2026 to 2035) for Integrated Emergency, Critical, and Operative Care (ECO), positioning […] Continue reading -> EU Parliament Backs Critical Medicines Act, Sparking Supply Concerns in Africa 21/01/2026 Felix Sassmannshausen STRASBOURG – The European Parliament backed the EU’s Critical Medicines Act (CMA) on Tuesday in a decisive move to secure Europe’s pharmaceutical supply chains from geopolitical shocks. With an overwhelming majority of 503 votes in favour, 57 against, and 108 abstentions, MEPs endorsed a sweeping industrial policy designed to re-shore the production of active ingredients […] Continue reading -> EU and US Regulators Reach Landmark Accord on AI Principles in Drug Development 16/01/2026 Felix Sassmannshausen The European Medicines Agency (EMA) and the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have jointly established new AI principles in drug development to reduce regulatory divergence between the major markets of the European Union and the United States. Industry associations have applauded the landmark accord, as it strengthens harmonisation across the regions – but emphasise […] Continue reading -> Most Vaccine Hesitancy can be Successfully Overcome, New Lancet Study Finds 14/01/2026 Felix Sassmannshausen Fears over the side effects of COVID-19 jabs, which led to initial vaccine hesitancy, mostly gave way to acceptance in the course of the pandemic, with only a small minority remaining unvaccinated due to deep-seated mistrust, a new major study published in The Lancet finds. For the first time, the study “Profiling vaccine attitudes and […] Continue reading -> EXCLUSIVE: Germany to Halve Funding for Pandemic Hub Amid Global Health Pull-back 08/01/2026 Felix Sassmannshausen The German government is set to halve its funding for the Berlin-based WHO Hub for Pandemic and Epidemic Intelligence this year as part of a broader retreat from global health and aid financing under Chancellor Friedrich Merz. Funding for the pandemic surveillance hub will be reduced from €30 million yearly to €15 million, with only […] Continue reading -> New Flu Strain Sweeping Europe Says WHO; but Vaccines Remain Effective, ECDC Finds 19/12/2025 Felix Sassmannshausen Sudden fever, a severe cough and acute respiratory distress are the familiar onset symptoms of seasonal flu, which has affected WHO’s European Region with unusual intensity and speed this year. As the Northern Hemisphere enters winter, health systems are struggling to manage an epidemic driven by an aggressive, genetically mutated influenza strain A(H3N2) subclade K. […] Continue reading -> EU Clinches Landmark Pharma Reform, but Industry Cites Threat to Competitiveness 12/12/2025 Felix Sassmannshausen Following eleven hours of intense negotiations overnight, the European Union (EU) clinched a landmark agreement on the most significant pharma reform of its medicines market in over 20 years on Thursday. Reached in the final moments of the Danish EU Presidency’s mandate, the deal aims to strike a critical balance stimulating pharma innovation, particularly for […] Continue reading -> Posts navigation Newer posts
EU Parliament Backs Critical Medicines Act, Sparking Supply Concerns in Africa 21/01/2026 Felix Sassmannshausen STRASBOURG – The European Parliament backed the EU’s Critical Medicines Act (CMA) on Tuesday in a decisive move to secure Europe’s pharmaceutical supply chains from geopolitical shocks. With an overwhelming majority of 503 votes in favour, 57 against, and 108 abstentions, MEPs endorsed a sweeping industrial policy designed to re-shore the production of active ingredients […] Continue reading -> EU and US Regulators Reach Landmark Accord on AI Principles in Drug Development 16/01/2026 Felix Sassmannshausen The European Medicines Agency (EMA) and the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have jointly established new AI principles in drug development to reduce regulatory divergence between the major markets of the European Union and the United States. Industry associations have applauded the landmark accord, as it strengthens harmonisation across the regions – but emphasise […] Continue reading -> Most Vaccine Hesitancy can be Successfully Overcome, New Lancet Study Finds 14/01/2026 Felix Sassmannshausen Fears over the side effects of COVID-19 jabs, which led to initial vaccine hesitancy, mostly gave way to acceptance in the course of the pandemic, with only a small minority remaining unvaccinated due to deep-seated mistrust, a new major study published in The Lancet finds. For the first time, the study “Profiling vaccine attitudes and […] Continue reading -> EXCLUSIVE: Germany to Halve Funding for Pandemic Hub Amid Global Health Pull-back 08/01/2026 Felix Sassmannshausen The German government is set to halve its funding for the Berlin-based WHO Hub for Pandemic and Epidemic Intelligence this year as part of a broader retreat from global health and aid financing under Chancellor Friedrich Merz. Funding for the pandemic surveillance hub will be reduced from €30 million yearly to €15 million, with only […] Continue reading -> New Flu Strain Sweeping Europe Says WHO; but Vaccines Remain Effective, ECDC Finds 19/12/2025 Felix Sassmannshausen Sudden fever, a severe cough and acute respiratory distress are the familiar onset symptoms of seasonal flu, which has affected WHO’s European Region with unusual intensity and speed this year. As the Northern Hemisphere enters winter, health systems are struggling to manage an epidemic driven by an aggressive, genetically mutated influenza strain A(H3N2) subclade K. […] Continue reading -> EU Clinches Landmark Pharma Reform, but Industry Cites Threat to Competitiveness 12/12/2025 Felix Sassmannshausen Following eleven hours of intense negotiations overnight, the European Union (EU) clinched a landmark agreement on the most significant pharma reform of its medicines market in over 20 years on Thursday. Reached in the final moments of the Danish EU Presidency’s mandate, the deal aims to strike a critical balance stimulating pharma innovation, particularly for […] Continue reading -> Posts navigation Newer posts
EU and US Regulators Reach Landmark Accord on AI Principles in Drug Development 16/01/2026 Felix Sassmannshausen The European Medicines Agency (EMA) and the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have jointly established new AI principles in drug development to reduce regulatory divergence between the major markets of the European Union and the United States. Industry associations have applauded the landmark accord, as it strengthens harmonisation across the regions – but emphasise […] Continue reading -> Most Vaccine Hesitancy can be Successfully Overcome, New Lancet Study Finds 14/01/2026 Felix Sassmannshausen Fears over the side effects of COVID-19 jabs, which led to initial vaccine hesitancy, mostly gave way to acceptance in the course of the pandemic, with only a small minority remaining unvaccinated due to deep-seated mistrust, a new major study published in The Lancet finds. For the first time, the study “Profiling vaccine attitudes and […] Continue reading -> EXCLUSIVE: Germany to Halve Funding for Pandemic Hub Amid Global Health Pull-back 08/01/2026 Felix Sassmannshausen The German government is set to halve its funding for the Berlin-based WHO Hub for Pandemic and Epidemic Intelligence this year as part of a broader retreat from global health and aid financing under Chancellor Friedrich Merz. Funding for the pandemic surveillance hub will be reduced from €30 million yearly to €15 million, with only […] Continue reading -> New Flu Strain Sweeping Europe Says WHO; but Vaccines Remain Effective, ECDC Finds 19/12/2025 Felix Sassmannshausen Sudden fever, a severe cough and acute respiratory distress are the familiar onset symptoms of seasonal flu, which has affected WHO’s European Region with unusual intensity and speed this year. As the Northern Hemisphere enters winter, health systems are struggling to manage an epidemic driven by an aggressive, genetically mutated influenza strain A(H3N2) subclade K. […] Continue reading -> EU Clinches Landmark Pharma Reform, but Industry Cites Threat to Competitiveness 12/12/2025 Felix Sassmannshausen Following eleven hours of intense negotiations overnight, the European Union (EU) clinched a landmark agreement on the most significant pharma reform of its medicines market in over 20 years on Thursday. Reached in the final moments of the Danish EU Presidency’s mandate, the deal aims to strike a critical balance stimulating pharma innovation, particularly for […] Continue reading -> Posts navigation Newer posts
Most Vaccine Hesitancy can be Successfully Overcome, New Lancet Study Finds 14/01/2026 Felix Sassmannshausen Fears over the side effects of COVID-19 jabs, which led to initial vaccine hesitancy, mostly gave way to acceptance in the course of the pandemic, with only a small minority remaining unvaccinated due to deep-seated mistrust, a new major study published in The Lancet finds. For the first time, the study “Profiling vaccine attitudes and […] Continue reading -> EXCLUSIVE: Germany to Halve Funding for Pandemic Hub Amid Global Health Pull-back 08/01/2026 Felix Sassmannshausen The German government is set to halve its funding for the Berlin-based WHO Hub for Pandemic and Epidemic Intelligence this year as part of a broader retreat from global health and aid financing under Chancellor Friedrich Merz. Funding for the pandemic surveillance hub will be reduced from €30 million yearly to €15 million, with only […] Continue reading -> New Flu Strain Sweeping Europe Says WHO; but Vaccines Remain Effective, ECDC Finds 19/12/2025 Felix Sassmannshausen Sudden fever, a severe cough and acute respiratory distress are the familiar onset symptoms of seasonal flu, which has affected WHO’s European Region with unusual intensity and speed this year. As the Northern Hemisphere enters winter, health systems are struggling to manage an epidemic driven by an aggressive, genetically mutated influenza strain A(H3N2) subclade K. […] Continue reading -> EU Clinches Landmark Pharma Reform, but Industry Cites Threat to Competitiveness 12/12/2025 Felix Sassmannshausen Following eleven hours of intense negotiations overnight, the European Union (EU) clinched a landmark agreement on the most significant pharma reform of its medicines market in over 20 years on Thursday. Reached in the final moments of the Danish EU Presidency’s mandate, the deal aims to strike a critical balance stimulating pharma innovation, particularly for […] Continue reading -> Posts navigation Newer posts
EXCLUSIVE: Germany to Halve Funding for Pandemic Hub Amid Global Health Pull-back 08/01/2026 Felix Sassmannshausen The German government is set to halve its funding for the Berlin-based WHO Hub for Pandemic and Epidemic Intelligence this year as part of a broader retreat from global health and aid financing under Chancellor Friedrich Merz. Funding for the pandemic surveillance hub will be reduced from €30 million yearly to €15 million, with only […] Continue reading -> New Flu Strain Sweeping Europe Says WHO; but Vaccines Remain Effective, ECDC Finds 19/12/2025 Felix Sassmannshausen Sudden fever, a severe cough and acute respiratory distress are the familiar onset symptoms of seasonal flu, which has affected WHO’s European Region with unusual intensity and speed this year. As the Northern Hemisphere enters winter, health systems are struggling to manage an epidemic driven by an aggressive, genetically mutated influenza strain A(H3N2) subclade K. […] Continue reading -> EU Clinches Landmark Pharma Reform, but Industry Cites Threat to Competitiveness 12/12/2025 Felix Sassmannshausen Following eleven hours of intense negotiations overnight, the European Union (EU) clinched a landmark agreement on the most significant pharma reform of its medicines market in over 20 years on Thursday. Reached in the final moments of the Danish EU Presidency’s mandate, the deal aims to strike a critical balance stimulating pharma innovation, particularly for […] Continue reading -> Posts navigation Newer posts
New Flu Strain Sweeping Europe Says WHO; but Vaccines Remain Effective, ECDC Finds 19/12/2025 Felix Sassmannshausen Sudden fever, a severe cough and acute respiratory distress are the familiar onset symptoms of seasonal flu, which has affected WHO’s European Region with unusual intensity and speed this year. As the Northern Hemisphere enters winter, health systems are struggling to manage an epidemic driven by an aggressive, genetically mutated influenza strain A(H3N2) subclade K. […] Continue reading -> EU Clinches Landmark Pharma Reform, but Industry Cites Threat to Competitiveness 12/12/2025 Felix Sassmannshausen Following eleven hours of intense negotiations overnight, the European Union (EU) clinched a landmark agreement on the most significant pharma reform of its medicines market in over 20 years on Thursday. Reached in the final moments of the Danish EU Presidency’s mandate, the deal aims to strike a critical balance stimulating pharma innovation, particularly for […] Continue reading -> Posts navigation Newer posts
EU Clinches Landmark Pharma Reform, but Industry Cites Threat to Competitiveness 12/12/2025 Felix Sassmannshausen Following eleven hours of intense negotiations overnight, the European Union (EU) clinched a landmark agreement on the most significant pharma reform of its medicines market in over 20 years on Thursday. Reached in the final moments of the Danish EU Presidency’s mandate, the deal aims to strike a critical balance stimulating pharma innovation, particularly for […] Continue reading -> Posts navigation Newer posts