Healthcare Leaders Uniting for Better Patient Outcomes

At the helm of Rubió, CEO Pelayo Rubió Rubiralta is guiding a legacy healthcare company into a future defined by innovation, international growth, and an unwavering commitment to patient well-being. What began as a small pharmacy in Barcelona in 1968 has grown into a thriving, international company with €179 million in annual turnover, 350 employees, and a presence in more than 70 countries. Pelayo, part of the third generation of the Rubiralta family, is passionate about preserving the company’s core values while pushing its boundaries. “Our mission is simple yet profound: Life Feels Good. Everything we do is aimed at making that a reality for the patients and professionals we serve,” he explains. A Legacy Built on Trust and Purpose Rubió’s heritage plays a vital role in its identity. The company has maintained its human-centric philosophy even as it expanded. “Being a family business gives us the freedom to make long-term decisions focused on patients, not shareholders,” Pelayo ...

Though most people's minds automatically go to drugs or alcohol when they hear the word addiction, in food addiction, the process is no less pervasive, painful, and complex as any drug or alcohol abuse disorder. Esther Helga Gudmundsdottir , MSc., knows that well. She herself had struggled in food addiction's darkest corners and was driven by a revolutionary cause—to help others heal, train professionals, and get food addiction recognized as a serious disease worthy of international concern. As director and founder of the MFM Center and INFACT School, Esther has become a trailblazer in the industry, providing hope, education, and sustained recovery to individuals addicted to eating. A Personal Struggle Transformed Into Mission Esther learned about food addiction outside of the classroom but in life. She was raised in Iceland, where she had a healthy, active childhood. But like so many, adolescence was the catalyst. "I was a highly active child and never had a weight proble...

From €20 million in revenue and 120 employees in 2014 to €179 million and 350 employees in 2024, Rubió’s impressive growth is a testament to its bold transformation under the leadership of CEO Pelayo Rubió Rubiralta . But beyond the numbers lies a deeper purpose—one rooted in the company’s mission: Life Feels Good. For Pelayo, this isn’t just a tagline—it’s a guiding principle that shapes every decision, innovation, and strategic move the company makes. With a deep commitment to patient-centered care and a passion for addressing unmet medical needs, Pelayo has led Rubió through a decade of remarkable progress. His leadership style—anchored in both innovation and heritage—has helped position the company as a key player in the pharmaceutical industry, both in Spain and internationally. Honoring a Rich Legacy Pelayo’s journey with Rubió is intrinsically tied to the company’s origins in a small family pharmacy in Barcelona’s historic Plaza Real. That heritage of trust, care, and personaliz...

  Climate change is one of the most pressing global challenges of our time, affecting every aspect of human life, including health. The healthcare sector, while dedicated to saving lives and improving well-being, also has a significant environmental footprint. Hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, and medical supply chains contribute to greenhouse gas emissions, waste generation, and resource depletion. However, the healthcare industry is uniquely positioned to lead the fight against climate change by adopting sustainable practices, advancing research, and promoting policies that mitigate environmental damage. By integrating Life Science Innovations into their operations, healthcare organizations can reduce their ecological impact while enhancing patient care and public health. The Environmental Impact of Healthcare Pollutants in the environment or climate-related events can have a massive impact on our health. Air and noise pollution, and heavy metals like mercury are directly re...

The Virgen del Rocío Hospital in Seville has become the first in Spain to utilize artificial human skin for advanced wound recovery in severe burn cases. This pioneering treatment, approved by the Spanish Medicines Agency in June, represents a significant breakthrough in burn care, offering faster and more effective healing for patients with extensive injuries.  Fran Fernández, a patient who suffered burns over 75% of his body following an explosion in Algeciras in 2017, is a testament to the success of this innovative therapy. Initially given just 48 hours to live, Fernández has since made a remarkable recovery thanks to more than a dozen surgeries and multiple grafts using both his own skin and the newly developed artificial skin.  The therapy, officially termed “human skin obtained by tissue engineering,” is now being applied at the Major Burn Unit of Virgen del Rocío Hospital. According to Dr. David Rodríguez, a surgeon at the hospital, the use of artificial skin significa...

Sneak Peek Real-Time Location System (RTLS) technology has emerged as a game-changer in the healthcare industry, offering unprecedented visibility and tracking capabilities. By leveraging RTLS, healthcare institutions can streamline operations, enhance patient safety, optimize resource utilization and improve overall efficiency. Let’s take a sneak peek into the various applications and benefits of RTLS in healthcare. Asset Tracking and Management One of the primary applications of RTLS in healthcare is asset tracking and management. Medical equipment, such as wheelchairs, infusion pumps and specialized devices, is essential for patient care but often prone to misplacement or theft. RTLS enables real-time tracking and monitoring of assets, allowing healthcare providers to locate equipment quickly, reduce downtime and optimize asset utilization. By eliminating the time wasted searching for equipment, staff can focus more on patient care, improving outcomes. Patient Flow Optimization RTLS...