January-February. 2026 | The HEALTH
FOREIGN NEWS
07
Investing in health
IN a recent announcement, Johnson & Johnson( JNJ) confirmed it reached a voluntary agreement with the U. S. government aimed at improving access to medicines and reducing costs for millions of American patients.
This initiative, addressed key requests by the Trump Administration, which included exemptions from tariffs for the company ' s pharmaceutical products.
JNJ Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Joaquin Duato stated: " Today ' s agreement demonstrates that when the public and private sectors unite to pursue common goals, we can achieve significant benefits for patients and the U. S. economy."
He expressed pride in the company ' s commitment to lower drug prices for everyday Americans while continuing to enhance lives through healthcare innovation.
To facilitate improved access, JNJ engaged in several initiatives, including: Participation in TrumpRx. gov, a platform that allows American
Sugar tax action
patients to purchase medicines at substantially reduced prices. Assurance that U. S. patients can access medicines at prices comparable to those in other developed nations. Access to the Medicaid programme at costs similar to those in other developed countries. Ongoing support for the Administration ' s aim to highlight the value of healthcare in global developed markets.
Moreover, JNJ continued to uphold its US $ 55 billion investment pledge to bolster U. S. manufacturing, research and development, and technology enhancements by early 2029. Over the past 10 months, the company has initiated investments totalling billions, focusing on producing the majority of its advanced medicines domestically to serve U. S. patients.
As part of this initiative, JNJ announced the establishment of two new U. S. manufacturing sites: a cutting-edge cell therapy manufacturing facility in Pennsylvania and a sophisticated drug product manufacturing site in North Carolina.
Construction continues on a US $ 2 billion biologics manufacturing facility in Wilson, North Carolina, a project expected to create approximately 5,000 skilled manufacturing and construction jobs in the region. The company has already begun recruiting advanced manufacturing employees to support this facility.
In Sept, JNJ secured an additional 160,000 + square-foot biopharmaceutical manufacturing site in Holly Springs, North Carolina, backed by a US $ 2 billion commitment over the next decade, expected to create around 120 new jobs in the state.
COST REDUCTION: Johnson & Johnson and the U. S. Government united to enhance access to medicine and lower costs for American patients.
SUGAR WARNING: Rising health concerns over affordable sugary and alcoholic beverages highlight the urgent need for stronger taxation policies.
Smart imaging solutions
KONICA Minolta Healthcare Americas, Inc. has partnered with deepc to integrate AI into the Exa ® Platform, addressing the mounting pressures radiologists face.
With imaging volumes on the rise and professionals grappling with increased workloads and staff shortages, this collaboration aims to streamline the adoption of AI technologies in healthcare settings across North America and beyond.
The partnership saw deepcOS ®, a leading Healthcare AI Infrastructure Operating System, connect directly with Konica Minolta ' s Exa ® Platform, which encompasses Exa ® PACS | RIS, Exa ® Enterprise, and Exa ® Teleradiology.
This integration established a unified environment allowing hospitals and clinics to access a validated library of AI tools without the complications of separate systems or extensive IT overhauls. The outcome was a more efficient workflow for radiology teams, enabling them to leverage AI insights within their existing processes.
Radiologists benefited from a smoother image-review experience, as AI support enabled quicker, more focused decision-making. Meanwhile, IT departments appreciated the secure, cloud-native deployment, which enhanced data protection and simplified compliance.
These improvements translated into tangible benefits for hospitals, including consistent performance, reduced technical burdens, and a scalable foundation for clinical AI. Most importantly, patients experienced faster results and more confident diagnoses.- The HEALTH
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IN a concerning development, reports released by the World Health Organisation( WHO) have highlighted the negative health impacts of cheaper sugary and alcoholic drinks. The findings, unveiled recently, revealed that consistently low tax rates on these beverages are contributing to a surge in noncommunicable diseases and injuries, particularly among children and young adults.
WHO Director-General Dr Tedros
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Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated: " Health taxes are one of the strongest tools we have for promoting health and preventing disease." He urged governments to increase taxes on products such as sugary drinks and alcohol to reduce consumption and fund essential health services.
Despite the global market for these beverages generating billions in profits, WHO found that government tax systems capture only a fraction
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of this value. This oversight imposes long-term health and economic burdens on societies.
Current statistics reveal that at least 116 countries tax sugary drinks, including sodas, yet many high-sugar products, such as sweetened milk drinks and ready-to-drink coffees, remain untaxed. Furthermore, although 97 per cent of countries tax energy drinks, this figure has not changed since 2023.
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DYNAMIC DIAGNOSTICS: Konica Minolta and deepc unite to revolutionise radiology through AI integration, enhancing imaging workflows and patient care. |