Pharma News
Australia should not copy New Zealand’s drug pricing system
Australia should resist ongoing pressure to adopt a New Zealand-style model of medicines funding, according to Medicines Australia, a group that represents originator manufacturers.
US state introduces law to allow meds to be bought over Internet
On 9 October 2013, the US state of Maine introduced a law allowing its residents to purchase foreign prescription drugs over the Internet.
India approves Mylan’s purchase of Agila
Generics giant Mylan announced on 3 September 2013 that its proposed acquisition of generics injectables maker Agila Specialties (Agila) from Strides Arcolab for Rs 5,168-crore (US$1.6 billion) had been cleared by the Indian Government.
Johnson & Johnson warns of shortages of cancer drug Doxil
Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies (Janssen), a division of healthcare giant Johnson & Johnson, has warned of impending shortages of its ovarian cancer drug Doxil (doxorubicin).
Sandoz launches new device for its biosimilar somatropin
Sandoz, the generic drug division of Swiss drug giant Novartis, announced on 23 September 2013 the launch of a new delivery device for its biosimilar somatropin product (Omnitrope) in the UK.
Akorn to buy Hi-Tech Pharmacal for US$640 million
Generic eye-drugmaker Akorn has entered into a deal to buy Hi-Tech Pharmacal (Hi-Tech) for US$640 million in cash to expand into oral liquids and ointments, including cold and cough treatments.
Endo to buy specialty generic drugmaker Boca Pharmacal
Specialty pharmaceutical maker Endo Health Solutions (Endo) announced on 28 August 2013 that its generics subsidiary, Qualitest, has agreed to buy specialty generic drugmaker Boca Pharmacal (Boca) for US$225 million in cash.
Actavis and Bioton form joint venture for insulin
Icelandic generics manufacturer Actavis announced on 30 January 2012 that it had formed a joint venture company with Polish biotechnology company Bioton for the development and registration of insulin products, including analogue insulins.
Philippines urged to import drugs from Bangladesh
The Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Ms Sheikh Hasina, on 5 May 2013 urged the Philippines to import pharmaceutical products from Bangladesh, particularly for the countries governmental hospitals and clinics, due to the significant cost-savings to be made.
Generics manufacturers increase investment in injectables
Generic drugmaker Zydus Cadila, the fifth largest pharmaceutical company in India, is set to invest about US$15.8 million in building an FDA-approved injectables-manufacturing plant. The news in August 2013 came just as Aurobindo Pharma announced plans to spin-off its injectables business to strengthen that side of its operations further.
