Latest news with #STAN
Euractiv
6 days ago
- Health
- Euractiv
EU must take lead role on pharma, and patient access, says Czech minister
Czech Deputy Health Minister Michaela Matoušková (STAN, EPP) is calling for stronger EU action on pharmaceutical policy, better coordination on digital health, and a more unified approach to patient access to innovative medicines across the bloc. In an interview with Euractiv, Matoušková urged the EU to move from passive coordination to proactive support, particularly when it comes to ensuring equitable access to innovative medicines and building the Union's strategic autonomy in healthcare. Matoušková, who took office in February this year, believes the COVID-19 pandemic and the EU's fragmented response exposed structural weaknesses that Brussels now has an opportunity to address. 'We have the brains, but we lack coordination – and that is the role of the European Union,' she said. She argues that the EU level is the only viable arena to tackle the uneven and delayed access to new medicines that persists across member states. 'Some smaller states do not introduce medicines, even though the European Medicines Agency (EMA) has approved them, as quickly as others. If we really want a patient-focused approach, this has to change,' she said. The Czech deputy minister voiced strong support for the pharmaceutical package currently negotiated by EU institutions in the trilogues. However, she underlined that success will depend on finding the right balance between patient access, price and industry incentives. 'The compromise is crucial,' she said. She noted that the Commission's proposal rightly aims to increase access to medicines in all member states, but that this will require cooperation from industry. 'They need to understand what we are trying to achieve: speed of rollout and availability,' Matoušková said. Innovation vouchers One of her concerns is the growing trend of pharmaceutical companies threatening to pull out of Europe in response to proposed changes in market exclusivity rules. 'The USA invests significantly more – three times more than the EU, I believe. But it's not just about money. It's about how fast we bring medicines to market and how long the data and market protection lasts,' she said. Matoušková acknowledged the financial pressures innovators face and expressed support for maintaining incentives that allow for returns on investment. To bridge the interests of both patients and industry, she supported 'a system of innovation vouchers' as a complementary tool to support faster development and approval of new drugs, while maintaining investment appeal. She also addressed the broader relationship between innovation and generics, noting, 'I think generics will always be here. But we need to push for innovation, that is what we need to protect.' Matoušková also sees digital health as an area where EU leadership is urgently needed. While the European Health Data Space regulation has opened a promising debate, the deputy minister warns that implementation is lagging in some areas. 'We would like to have shared medical documentation, but we are missing regional data networks. We do not have enough infrastructure to make it work,' said Matoušková. She believes the EU should step in with funding and coordination. 'The EU should provide the legal framework, the conditions, and the funding. The EU should be the roof over the whole structure,' she said. Cross-border cooperation Her ambition is also to see greater EU involvement in cross-border emergency services. 'Why do we need bilateral treaties for cross-border emergency care? We could define it at the EU level,' she said. In the longer term, Matoušková urges Brussels to invest in services that reflect demographic changes and make a difference on the ground, such as palliative care and home-based support for older people. 'Personally, I am not a fan of building more facilities. Care should move closer to patients, into the field, into their homes,' she said. She would also welcome more EU guidance on workforce reform, including a broader debate on prescription rights for qualified non-physician personnel, adding that, 'We have very erudite non-physician professionals in Czechia, but they haven't been granted the appropriate competences.' Her message to EU policymakers is clear: health policy must be treated as a strategic investment. 'We should see the EU not as a repressive body, but as a source of change – an institution that supports innovation. Not as a dictator, but as a partner that helps address our needs,' she said. [Edited by Vasiliki Angouridi, Brian Maguire]
Business Insider
16-07-2025
- Business
- Business Insider
Standard Chartered (STAN) Becomes First Bank to Offer Spot Bitcoin Trading
British bank Standard Chartered (STAN) has become the first global lender to offer spot trading in Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) to institutional clients. Elevate Your Investing Strategy: Take advantage of TipRanks Premium at 50% off! Unlock powerful investing tools, advanced data, and expert analyst insights to help you invest with confidence. Make smarter investment decisions with TipRanks' Smart Investor Picks, delivered to your inbox every week. The crypto trading feature, which is now operational across Standard Chartered's branches in the United Kingdom (U.K.), is available during Asian and European trading hours only. However, the bank says it is considering offering trading in Bitcoin and Ethereum around the clock, 24 hours a day, five days a week. In a statement, the bank said that Standard Chartered is 'the first global systemically important bank to be offering crypto asset trading.' Standard Chartered also said that it defines institutional clients as asset managers and multinational companies that are clients of its corporate and investment banking division. Crypto Bull Standard Chartered is known for being a crypto bull and has been involved in digital assets for a long time. The bank offers digital asset custody and trading through its corporate and investment bank. It also offers digital asset tokenization services. The new crypto trading service is being integrated into Standard Chartered's existing trading platforms, allowing corporate clients, asset managers, and institutional investors to access crypto markets through familiar interfaces, said the bank. Clients can settle trades to a custodian of their choice, including Standard Chartered's in-house custody service. Standard Chartered said that its focus for now is on Bitcoin and Ethereum, the two largest cryptocurrencies. However, the bank says it plans to eventually expand the crypto trading service to include other digital assets. BTC is currently trading at $116,031 and is up 28% on the year. Is BTC a Buy?
The Sun
21-06-2025
- General
- The Sun
Sandakan to launch country's first historical tree trail
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah's east coast town of Sandakan is set to carve its name in the Malaysia Book of Records with the Historical Tree Trail project, a first of its kind in the country. The eco-heritage initiative is set to be officially launched by the Sandakan Municipal Council (MPS) on June 28. Developed with the Sabah Forestry Department, the trail will feature 42 prominent heritage trees tagged with QR codes, allowing visitors to explore Sandakan's natural and cultural legacy. The milestone was announced during a courtesy call by Sandakan Heritage Trail founder and chairman Lai King Hang to Chief Conservator of Forests Datuk Frederick Kugan. The project is a joint effort by the Sandakan Heritage Trail Committee, Sandakan Tourism Association (STAN) and MPS, with support from voluntary organisations. The route will commence at Masjid Jamik with a stop at Agnes Keith's House for the official Malaysia Book of Records certificate presentation. Over 200 participants from diverse backgrounds are expected to join the inaugural walk. Each tagged tree features a QR code for interactive historical and ecological insights, Lai said. This trail not only highlights Sandakan's rich biodiversity but also positions the city as a pioneer in heritage conservation. The initiative is expected to boost tourism and environmental awareness, he added. Meanwhile, Kugan lauded the initiative, calling it a 'trailblazing effort' that blends conservation, heritage and tourism. Deputy Chief Conservator of Forests Dr Arthur Chung, a key member of the trail team, emphasised the unique project's role in promoting sustainable eco-tourism. Also present at the meeting were Forestry Department officers, STAN representatives and members of the Sabah Society Sandakan, underscoring the broad-based support for this landmark project.
Malay Mail
14-06-2025
- General
- Malay Mail
Sandakan to launch Malaysia's first historical tree trail with over 40 tagged trees on June 28
SANDAKAN, June 14 — A tree tagging system is developed with the assistance of Sabah Forestry Department to mark the upcoming Malaysia Book of Records, the First Historical Tree Trail In Malaysia on June 28. It will be officiated by Sandakan Municipal Council president Walter Kenson. This was revealed during a courtesy call to Datuk Frederick Kugan, the Chief Conservator Forests at his office by Lai King Hang, founder and chairman of Sandakan Heritage Trail yesterday. More than 200 participants from all walks of life are expected to follow the trail starting from Masjid Jamik, pausing at Agnes Keith's House for the official presentation of Malaysia Book of Records Certificate. Forty-two prominent trees within the Sandakan Heritage Trail have been identified, QR coded and tagged for visitors to enjoy the heritage sites and trees too. This significant milestone for Sandakan is organised by Sandakan Heritage Trail Committee and Sandakan Tourism Association STAN with full support from the Sandakan Municipal Council and other voluntary organisations. Present at the courtesy call were Dr Arthur Chung, Deputy Chief Conservator Forests who is also a senior team member of Sandakan Heritage Trail, senior officers of Sabah Forestry Department, representatives from STAN and Sabah Society Sandakan. — The Borneo Post
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Solana Could Hit $275 by Year-End, $500 by 2029-End: Standard Chartered
Solana SOL is expected to underperform ether ETH over the next two to three years, investment bank Standard Chartered (STAN) said in a research report Tuesday initiating coverage of the cryptocurrency. The bank expects the ether/solana ratio to increase from 14 currently to 17 by the end of 2027, before falling off again. For solana, "this translates into forecasts of $275 at end-2025 (from the current level of $175) and $500 by end-2029," wrote Geoff Kendrick, head of digital assets research at Standard Chartered. Solana is the blockchain of choice for memecoin trading, but due to the volatility associated with the sector the token trades cheap relative to its application revenue, the bank noted. Memecoin activity on Solana also appears to be "past its peak," the bank said, adding that "declining usage and trading 'cheap' are not a good mix." The cryptocurrency should dominate future sectors with high volumes, low fees and fast transaction times, such as financial and traditional consumer apps, but reaching scale in these areas could take years, the report added.
