Pharma News
Teva cost-cutting and re-organization
Teva Pharmaceutical Industries’ (Teva’s) new Chief Executive vowed to reshape the drugmaker and reduce annual costs by up to US$2 billion over the next five years, making it into ‘the most indispensable medicines company in the world’.
Eli Lilly and Strides Arcolab in generics deal
Pharma giant Eli Lilly and India-based generics manufacturer Strides Arcolab announced on 5 December 2012 a collaboration to market the latter’s generic cancer drugs in emerging markets.
Sanofi to acquire Colombian generics maker
Healthcare major Sanofi announced on 2 October 2012 that it has signed an agreement to acquire Colombian generics manufacturer Laboratorios Genfar (Genfar), making Sanofi a market leader in Colombia and expand its portfolio of affordable pharmaceuticals in Latin America.
GPhA drug shortages plan gets FTC approval
On 8 August 2012 the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) issued a positive advisory opinion to the Generic Pharmaceutical Association (GPhA) approving its Accelerated Recovery Initiative (ARI), which hopes to address drug shortage issues, after the FTC found the ARI will not be anticompetitive as sensitive information will be protected.
Fresenius cashes in on drug shortages
German healthcare conglomerate Fresenius has posted substantial growth across all regions and product areas during the first half of 2012 for its US business Fresenius Kabi. The growth has been largely attributed to rivals’ problems with supplying generics on the drug shortages list in the US.
Generics market set to increase in Japan
Japan has not been an easy place for drugmakers to do business. However, with government initiatives being introduced to increase generics use and taking into account the fact that Japan is currently the world’s second largest pharmaceutical market, it is perhaps not surprising that a new partnership is optimistic about the opportunities.
Sun Pharma finally gains full control of Taro
Sun Pharmaceutical Industries (Sun Pharma) and Taro Pharmaceutical Industries (Taro) announced on 13 August 2012 that they have entered into a merger agreement together. India-based Sun Pharma has agreed to pay out an additional US$600 million in order to finally gain full control of Israel-based Taro.
Fuji Pharma acquires OLIC Thailand
Fuji Pharma Co Ltd announced on 3 August 2012 that it has entered into an agreement to acquire the shares of OLIC (Thailand) Ltd, the largest pharmaceutical contract manufacturer in Thailand.
Generics makers Sun and Stada considering deal
Rumours are that Indian-based generics manufacturer Sun Pharma and Germany’s generics maker Stada Arzneimittel (Stada) may be looking at a deal in the near future, although both sides deny or refuse to comment on the matter.
Political battle over US health care continues
It was not the end of the story when the Affordable Care Act was passed in 2010. Its implementation is being fought every inch of the way; the Republican Party is split even though voter polls say 70% would scrap the whole Act or at least its central plank.
