The tobacco industry strongly influences policy-making in Japan, Jordan, Egypt and Bangladesh. Conversely, the United Kingdom, Uganda, and Iran emerge as countries with the least industry meddling, according to a first-ever report to systematically assess levels of industry influence in countries, by the watchdog group STOP (Stopping Tobacco Organizations and Products). “This report shows that […] Continue reading ->
If Fernando Arnaiz of Roche Pharmaceuticals had his way, the power of Kenyan mobile phone banking might soon be harnessed to health insurance schemes to finance treatment for cancer and other noncommunicable (NCDs) diseases, treatments accessible to only a tiny proportion of people in Africa today. Arnaiz is part of a unique team at Roche […] Continue reading ->
NEW YORK – Over half of new cancer drug approvals granted by European authorities between 2014-2016 may have been made based on evidence from biased clinical trials, according to a new study published in The BMJ. The study, led by Dr. Christopher Booth, professor of oncology from Queens University Cancer Research Institute, raises serious questions […] Continue reading ->
A new WHO nutrition report highlights how healthier diets can combat obesity and leading noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) – suggesting that less consumption of free sugars, salt and saturated fat, particularly animal fat, will help reduce global trends of rising obesity, hypertension and cardiovascular disease. But the report Essential Nutrition Actions – Mainstreaming Nutrition through the […] Continue reading ->
Fifa Rahman, Unitaid NGO Delegation board member and PhD Candidate at the University of Leeds, moderated a panel at the recent IAS Conference on HIV Science in Mexico entitled “How To Fix Our Medical R&D Model: A Spotlight On TB Treatment.” The panel featured speakers from Médecins Sans Frontières’ (MSF/Doctors Without Borders) Access Campaign, Drugs […] Continue reading ->
Most big cities around the world are above World Health Organization-recommended safe levels of particular matter in the air, with 42 percent at dangerously high levels, and only 8 percent within safe limits, a new study finds. At just 2.5 microns in size or smaller, fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is “a leading environmental health risk” […] Continue reading ->
The last decade has seen dramatic progress in the fight against tobacco, with some 136 countries having implemented policies such as smoking bans in public places, higher taxes or graphic packaging on tobacco products. But there is a huge unmet demand for services to help smokers quit, a critical intervention that lags behind other tobacco […] Continue reading ->
A new BMJ study by French researchers has reinforced the link between consumption of sugar-laced sodas & fruit juices and cancer incidence, in particular breast cancer. The study – the largest ever of its kind – is significant because while the link between sugar consumption and diabetes, obesity, and hypertension has been well documented, there […] Continue reading ->
Disclosure of costs for drug research and development (R&D) and “alternative financing mechanisms” for new health products remain outstanding points to be resolved by countries in finalising a draft United Nations General Assembly political declaration on universal health coverage (UHC). A final draft of the declaration had been expected this week, but as of Friday […] Continue reading ->
Japan said on Friday that it disagrees with aspects of an already-adopted Human Rights Council (HRC) resolution on access to medicines, claiming that there is no evidence that “delinkage” between the cost of research & development (R&D) and the price of medicines improves access to medicines. Japan also disagreed with pursuing alternative frameworks for R&D […] Continue reading ->