Pharma News
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.
Drug shortages are persisting
The media are reporting continuing problems on drug shortages, and indeed a worsening situation around the world. Cancer drugs seem to be the most affected.
APPG reports on drug shortages and MHRA bans unlicensed stock trading
On 14 May 2012, the All-Party Pharmacy Group (APPG) published the results of its inquiry into drug shortages in the UK. In response to this the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has decided to ban unlicensed stock trading by pharmacists.
IMS Health enlisted as information provider for drug shortages
The Generic Pharmaceutical Association (GPhA) announced on 19 April 2012 that it had selected IMS Health (IMS) to serve as the Independent Third Party in the Accelerated Recovery Initiative (ARI), providing information on generic drug shortages to FDA.
Also noted on pharma: 11 May 2012
UK government considers carrying out survey on drug shortages
The UK Department of Health (DoH) is considering a one-off survey of community pharmacies in England to assess the impact of drug shortages, Health Minister Simon Burns has confirmed. The move has followed requests from Ministers of Parliament (MPs) to carry out such a survey.
MP Irranca-Davies said, ‘in the meantime, I urge pharmacists and GPs to write to their MPs and demand that they lobby the health minister to carry out this research.’
The problem is far from being resolved, a Chemist+Druggist’s 2011 Stock Survey of pharmacies in the UK found that more than 140 pharmacists had seen a patient’s health suffer because of supply problems.
Related articles
UK drug shortages are far from being solved
UK drug shortages continue to affect pharmacists and patients
Members of parliament to hold inquiry into UK drug shortages
Source: Chemist+Druggist
FDA says efforts to prevent drug shortages are working
FDA Commissioner Ms Margaret Hamburg has reported that the FDA’s office of drug shortages has made progress in preventing drug shortages and working with industry to provide advanced warning when the agency is unable to prevent a shortage. In a posting on the agency’s FDA Voice Blog on 3 May 2012, Ms Hamburg said that she was ‘both amazed and delighted to see the progress that’s been made’.
