Pharma News
Biosimilars and cancer drug shortages in Europe
With all the talk about drug shortages in the US it might be easy to forget the rest of the world, but it seems that drug shortages are also hitting European countries and are affecting not just generics, but also biosimilars.
Members of parliament to hold inquiry into UK drug shortages
On 21 November 2011, a group of UK members of parliament (MPs) announced that they will hold a full-scale inquiry into the continuing problem of drug shortages within the National Health Service (NHS).
Some relief from drug shortages in the US
There finally appears to be some light at the end of the tunnel, with one of the main victims of shortages—the sterile injectable drug propofol—finally being declared no longer in short supply by FDA.
Obama’s fresh attempts to ease drugs shortages in the US
Action by the President
President Barack Obama signed an executive order 31 October 2011 to address an escalating shortage of life-saving medicines, his newest effort to advance social and economic measures that have stalled in Congress.
Cancer drug shortages in the US
There is concern being expressed about the growing number of drug shortages among essential and lifesaving cancer drugs.
Sun Pharma offers to buy remaining Taro shares
Taro Pharmaceutical Industries confirmed that it had received a letter on 19 October 2011 from Sun Pharma offering to buy all outstanding shares of Taro, not currently held by Sun Pharma, at a price of US$24.50 per share.
Pfizer invests Euros 145 million in Irish biotech site
Pfizer, the world’s leading pharmaceutical company, is to make a substantial investment of Euros 145 million at its Grange Castle biotechnology manufacturing facility in Clondalkin, Dublin, Ireland, it was revealed 22 September 2011.
Drawing score lines on pills to delay generics
Brand-name drugmakers have come up with numerous ways in the past to delay generics from entering the market. These can include making slight changes to the doses, introducing a paediatric form, pay-for-delay deals or even buying the company that makes the active pharmaceutical ingredient. The latest novel tactic from an originator drug company, however, is coming simply in the form of a line.
Aurobindo forms generics joint venture with Russia’s Diod
India-based Aurobindo Pharma (Aurobindo) announced on 7 September 2011 that it had formed a joint venture with Russian company Ojsc Diod (Diod) to manufacture and sell pharmaceutical products in Belarus, Kazakhstan and Russia.
Pfizer and US pharmacies fight counterfeit medicines
Pfizer and the US National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) announced on 29 September 2011 that they have launched a new effort to draw attention to the risks associated with counterfeit drugs and to help patients learn how to buy medicines online safely.
