Cartagena celebrated the Lego League Robotics Tournament for the first time, in which more than 200 schoolchildren competed in an educational programme that inspired scientific thought, research, and innovation among students between the ages of 6 and 16. The initiative, which is known on an international level, is designed to promote and encourage scientific and technological vocations and STEAM skills (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) among children and young people.

Murcia’s robotics wiz kids gather in Cartagena for special competition

The event, which took place at the School of Industrial Engineers of Cartagena on Saturday, March 14, brought together a total of 27 teams distributed in two categories, ‘Explore,’ with children from 6 to 9 years old; and ‘Challenge,’ with children from 10 to 16 years old. The Lego League Robotics Tournament was a chance for students to show off their skills and knowledge about robotics, as well as defend their innovation projects and the robots they designed, built, and programmed in order to solve challenges posed by the organisers.

The challenge posed to the students this year led them to investigate how robotics can help archaeologists preserve knowledge, protect history, and share their findings.

The jury was composed of experts in robotics, innovation, and education.

The Electric Falcons to represent Region of Murcia nationally

In this year’s edition of the national final, which will be the fifteenth edition held in the Region of Murcia, a total of 15 teams participated in the ‘Explore’ category and 12 participated in the ‘Challenge’ category. The Electronic Falcons ended up taking the first prize and will represent the Region of Murcia in the national phase, to be held on April 11 in Burgos.

At the national final, the Electric Falcons will present their innovative project, and their robot will compete for a spot in the First Lego League World Festival, the programme’s international final, held from April 29 to May 2 in Houston, Texas, United States.

The awards presented at the final were as follows:

• ATD Innovation Project Award: Indalo Jones
• Cartagena City Council Award for Robot Design:  Play Factory Bionic
• UPCT Award for Robot Performance:  Play Factory Bionic
• Integra Foundation Award for FIRST Values:  Legonostrum
• ‘I Am’ Engineering Award:  Electronic Falcons
• School of Industrialists Award for Young Promises:  Begástrica Lego Team
• Coach Award:  San Francisco Robotics

Some hospitals in the Netherlands are paying up to €2,800 more than others for the same cancer medicines, according to research examining how oncology drugs are priced across European healthcare systems. The findings have raised concerns about the lack of transparency in pharmaceutical negotiations and the impact that confidential pricing agreements can have on public healthcare budgets.

The study was conducted by researchers at the Netherlands Cancer Institute with support from the Dutch Cancer Society. By analysing drug price data from hospitals across several European countries, the research aimed to determine how widely the cost of identical cancer treatments can vary between institutions.

Researchers compare prices across European hospitals

The analysis focused on the prices paid for 15 cancer medicines across 23 hospitals in nine European countries, including six hospitals located in the Netherlands. The aim was to understand whether hospitals were paying similar prices for identical treatments or whether significant differences existed.

The results showed that Dutch hospitals sometimes paid thousands of euros more per patient for the same medicines than other hospitals within the country. In the most extreme cases identified in the research, the price difference reached €2,800 per treatment.

Researchers emphasised that these disparities are not caused by variations in the medicines themselves. Cancer drugs supplied to hospitals are standardised pharmaceutical products, meaning that identical treatments should theoretically be purchased at similar prices. Instead, the variations appear to stem from the individual agreements negotiated between hospitals and pharmaceutical manufacturers.

Price differences identified in widely used treatments

Among the medicines analysed in the study, significant price variations were observed for several widely used cancer treatments.

One of the clearest examples involved Abiraterone, a hormone therapy commonly prescribed to treat metastatic prostate cancer. Hospitals included in the research paid notably different amounts for the same drug depending on the agreements they had negotiated.

Another medicine with considerable price differences was Lenalidomide, which is used in the treatment of multiple myeloma, a type of bone-marrow cancer. As with other medicines examined in the study, hospitals purchasing the drug were frequently unaware of the prices secured by other institutions.

The researchers noted that these examples illustrate a broader pattern within the pharmaceutical market, where hospitals negotiate contracts independently and often lack information about pricing elsewhere.

Confidential contracts limit price transparency

A central factor identified by researchers is the use of confidentiality clauses in pharmaceutical contracts. Hospitals typically agree not to disclose the price they pay for medicines when negotiating with drug manufacturers.

According to the authors of the study, these confidentiality agreements mean that hospitals have limited ability to compare prices with other institutions. Without access to this information, they may believe they have negotiated favourable deals even if the prices they pay are significantly higher than those paid elsewhere. Professor Wim van Harten of the Netherlands Cancer Institute said the research showed that hospitals can sometimes pay up to 22 per cent more than the average price for certain medicines due to this lack of transparency.

Because cancer medicines are among the most expensive treatments used in modern healthcare, even relatively small percentage differences can translate into substantial additional costs for hospitals and healthcare systems.

Wider disparities found across Europe

The study also found that pricing differences were not limited to hospitals within the Netherlands. When researchers compared hospitals across multiple European countries, the variations were sometimes even larger.

In certain cases, hospitals in different countries were found to pay more than double the price for the same cancer medicines. These findings highlight how national procurement systems, negotiation strategies and regulatory frameworks can influence the cost of pharmaceuticals.

Healthcare systems in Europe typically negotiate prices either at the national level or through individual hospital agreements. As a result, purchasing power and negotiating leverage can vary widely between countries and even between institutions within the same country.

Calls for more transparency in pharmaceutical pricing

Researchers and cancer organisations say the findings underline the need for greater transparency in how drug prices are negotiated.

They argue that allowing hospitals controlled access to information about the prices paid by other institutions could help strengthen their negotiating position when purchasing expensive medicines. Improved transparency could also reduce unnecessary differences in treatment costs across healthcare systems. Cancer charities emphasise that the goal of such reforms would not be to restrict access to innovative treatments but to ensure that hospitals pay fair and consistent prices for essential medicines.

The researchers involved in the study say greater price transparency could ultimately help make healthcare spending more efficient while maintaining patient access to life-saving cancer therapies.

Salobreña has launched an interesting initiative that opens doors for residents to influence local decisions. ‘Salobreña Participa‘ encourages everyone, especially expat communities, to engage more actively in council governance and help build a more transparent future with all residents involved in how their taxes are spent.

A fresh approach to citizen involvement

The project encourages genuine participation from neighbours, associations, and groups in shaping public policies. Expat residents, who form part of Salobreña‘s diverse population, around 12 per cent of foreign nationals, many from the UK and Northern Europe, now gain valuable opportunities to contribute their perspectives.

Efforts centre on drafting a local regulation on citizen participation, transparency, and good governance. Officials hope to present this framework for approval at a full council meeting before summer arrives.

Key events open to all residents

A first meeting will target local associations on Friday, March 20, at 6pm in the Casa de la Cultura auditorium. Participants can discover strategic lines for the forthcoming regulation and share valuable input.

Another highlight arrives on April 10 with the inaugural citizen forum ‘La Salobreña que vivimos’. Residents from neighbourhood, social, and business sectors propose ideas to strengthen the regulation while exploring successful participation models from other towns.

According to the council, democracy extends far beyond elections every four years. Daily dialogue, attentive listening, and real involvement construct true democracy in everyday life.

Why expats should seize this moment

Councillor Rodríguez Callejón has stressed opening the town hall fully to citizens, creating debate spaces where locals and collectives influence public matters meaningfully. Local associations can hold unique knowledge of Salobreña’s needs and strengths, making their contributions essential.

Proposed structures include stable sectoral councils covering culture, tourism, youth, equality, environment, sports, commerce, and education. These bodies inform about council projects, suggest improvements, assess policies, and identify emerging requirements early.

New communication channels support the initiative, featuring a dedicated ‘Salobreña Participa’ website and social media profiles that share calls, minutes, and ongoing participatory processes so everyone can keep abreast of what is planned and what is going to happen in the town, a long-lasting grumble of many residents.

Expat residents can bring fresh insights to these discussions, enriching outcomes for everyone. Joining is straightforward—attend upcoming events or follow online updates. Active involvement strengthens community ties, boosts transparency, and promotes shared responsibility in local management.