equipocesca » Appropriate use of resources http://equipocesca.org Sun, 15 Mar 2026 19:28:58 +0000 en-US hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.5 Migraine. The promotion of prescription drugs directly to the public is not allowed in the European Union. But see the Ajovy case in Spain: direct-to-consumer news, the blurred margin between propaganda and information. http://equipocesca.org/en/english-migraine-the-promotion-of-prescription-drugs-directly-to-the-public-is-not-allowed-in-the-european-union-but-see-the-ajovy-case-in-spain-direct-to-consumer-news-the-blurred-margin-betwee/ http://equipocesca.org/en/english-migraine-the-promotion-of-prescription-drugs-directly-to-the-public-is-not-allowed-in-the-european-union-but-see-the-ajovy-case-in-spain-direct-to-consumer-news-the-blurred-margin-betwee/#comments Sun, 15 Mar 2026 19:28:58 +0000 Pedro http://equipocesca.org/?p=5907191 It seems that Teva’s commercial strategy includes promoting fremanezumab (Ajovy) to the general public (direct-to-consumer).  Vall d’Hebron Hospital (Barcelona, Spain) supports and presents as a novelty something that “offers nothing new”.  Such promotion is clearly prohibited by Spanish and European legislation.  It is also accompanied by an incredible and constant “apparatus” of pressure on those who “benefit” socially and financially through conferences, consensus statements, guidelines, publications, seminars, and other means.
  • In Spain, direct-to-consumer advertising of fremanezumab (Ajovy), February 2026. Migraine.Gérvas J. Madrid, Spain. March 2026. Download article here.
]]> http://equipocesca.org/en/english-migraine-the-promotion-of-prescription-drugs-directly-to-the-public-is-not-allowed-in-the-european-union-but-see-the-ajovy-case-in-spain-direct-to-consumer-news-the-blurred-margin-betwee/feed/ 0 When family and societal expectations outweigh science. The case of ataluren for Duchenne. http://equipocesca.org/en/no-todo-vale-cuando-las-expectativas-familiares-y-sociales-superan-a-la-ciencia-el-caso-de-ataluren-para-duchenne/ http://equipocesca.org/en/no-todo-vale-cuando-las-expectativas-familiares-y-sociales-superan-a-la-ciencia-el-caso-de-ataluren-para-duchenne/#comments Thu, 12 Mar 2026 16:15:05 +0000 Pedro http://equipocesca.org/?p=5907171 Duchenne muscular dystrophy is a neurodegenerative disease with no current cure.
In 2014, the FDA and EMA evaluated a new drug for this condition: ataluren. Ataluren was not approved by the FDA due to a lack of efficacy in Duchenne muscular dystrophy, while the EMA granted conditional approval.
After marketing authorization in the EU, the EMA allowed the company to continue performing trials to demonstrate efficacy.
The Spanish National Health System issued a resolution denying reimbursement of this drug due to lack of efficacy. In Spain, virtually all Regional Health Services overruled the Ministry of Health and reimbursed ataluren to Duchenne patients using their own resources, yielding to social pressure and/or seeking political benefit.
A study on the effectiveness of ataluren within Spain National Health System was started, but couldn´t be completed due to lack of involvement from the Regional Health Services.
The cost per patient is estimated at approximately €200,000 annually.
Eleven years later, the EMA withdraws the conditional authorization of the drug after repeated failure to prove efficacy.
  • When family and societal expectations outweigh science. The case of ataluren for Duchenne. Gérvas J. Madrid, Spain. December 2025. Download article here.
]]> http://equipocesca.org/en/no-todo-vale-cuando-las-expectativas-familiares-y-sociales-superan-a-la-ciencia-el-caso-de-ataluren-para-duchenne/feed/ 0 Vaccines are not seat belts, and motor vehicles are not human beings http://equipocesca.org/en/english-vaccines-are-not-seat-belts-and-motor-vehicles-are-not-human-beings/ http://equipocesca.org/en/english-vaccines-are-not-seat-belts-and-motor-vehicles-are-not-human-beings/#comments Wed, 10 Apr 2024 07:53:09 +0000 Pedro Gérvas http://equipocesca.org/?p=5906953 The debate on the coercive vaccination is raised many times with the example of the acceptance of the implementation of the mandatory use of  seat belts in motor vehicles. It is a very popular approach usually led by those who lack scientific training in vaccines. Seat belts are no vaccines, and motor vehicles are not human beings so the ethical foundation of coercive seat belts laws does not apply to coercive vaccination policies. Mandatory vaccination, which already exists in some countries, is being promoted when the outbreaks of vaccine preventable diseases are presented as the responsibility of the “anti-vaccines”. But “anti-vax” are residuals in the world.
  • Vaccines are not seat belts, and motor vehicles are not human beings. Gérvas J, Pérez-Fernández M. Madrid, Spain. April 2024. Download article here.
]]> http://equipocesca.org/en/english-vaccines-are-not-seat-belts-and-motor-vehicles-are-not-human-beings/feed/ 0 Veoza (fezolinetant) for hot flushes in menopause – think twice! http://equipocesca.org/en/english-veoza-fezolinetant-for-hot-flushes-in-menopause-think-twice/ http://equipocesca.org/en/english-veoza-fezolinetant-for-hot-flushes-in-menopause-think-twice/#comments Sat, 20 Jan 2024 19:28:15 +0000 Pedro Gérvas http://equipocesca.org/?p=5906938
During the climacteric period, before, during and after the menopause, hot flushes are common. In general they can be endured without great discomfort and subside with time, but there are cases of great intensity and persistence. This paper discusses the marketing of Veoza (fezolinetant) for the relief of hot flushes. The issue is that it is an expensive, ineffective drug with significant adverse effects.
  • Veoza (fezolinetant) for hot flushes in menopause – think twice!  Pérez-Fernández M, Gérvas J. Madrid, Spain. January 2024. Download article here.
]]> http://equipocesca.org/en/english-veoza-fezolinetant-for-hot-flushes-in-menopause-think-twice/feed/ 0 Influenza-flu vaccine and covid19. Fifteen questions http://equipocesca.org/en/la-vacuna-de-la-gripe-en-tiempos-de-covid19-quince-preguntas/ http://equipocesca.org/en/la-vacuna-de-la-gripe-en-tiempos-de-covid19-quince-preguntas/#comments Mon, 12 Oct 2020 08:19:44 +0000 Pedro Gérvas http://equipocesca.org/?p=5906599 The flu vaccine is a failed vaccine, useless at best, that discredits vaccines in general. The situation created by the #COVID19 pandemic does not change the recommendation not to use it. 15 questions with answers and references.

  • Influenza-flu vaccine and covid19. Fifteen questions. Gérvas J. Madrid, October, 2020. Dowload article here.
]]> http://equipocesca.org/en/la-vacuna-de-la-gripe-en-tiempos-de-covid19-quince-preguntas/feed/ 0 Applying the precautionary principle to breast cancer screening: implications to public health http://equipocesca.org/en/english-applying-the-precautionary-principle-to-breast-cancer-screening-implications-to-public-health/ http://equipocesca.org/en/english-applying-the-precautionary-principle-to-breast-cancer-screening-implications-to-public-health/#comments Mon, 23 Mar 2020 16:58:05 +0000 Pedro Gérvas http://equipocesca.org/?p=5906555 This article discusses the Precautionary Principle to strengthen Quaternary Prevention when dealing with additive preventive measures such as breast cancer screening. According to Geoffrey Rose additive preventive measures are generally professional-led interventions that are alien to human ecology, economy, and physiology. These include drugs, vaccines and other biological, physical, and chemical products. Additive preventive measures can produce harm without potential benefit since most individuals are asymptomatic (healthy) and not destined to become sick in the future. Consequently, additive preventive measures cannot be considered safe and policymakers are accountable for providing evidence of their net benefit.

  • Applying the precautionary principle to breast cancer screening: implications to public health. Tesser CD, Norman AH, Gérvas J. Cad Saude Publica. 2019 Jul 22;35(7):e00048319. doi: 10.1590/0102-311X00048319. Download article here.
]]> http://equipocesca.org/en/english-applying-the-precautionary-principle-to-breast-cancer-screening-implications-to-public-health/feed/ 0