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The UK Department of Health has reported on its consultation on value-based pricing for medicines, in relation to the coalition government's program to reform arrangements for the pricing of branded medicines and to introduce a new system when the current Pharmaceutical Price Regulation Scheme (PPRS) expires at the end of 2013. 18 July 2011
Generics
In an effort to increase consumer flexibility and save taxpayer dollars, US Senators Scott Brown (Republican, Massachusetts), Ron Wyden (Democrat, Oregon) and John McCain (Rep, Arizona) introduced bipartisan legislation last week that will encourage states to take advantage of cost-saving generic drugs. 18 July 2011
Pharmaceutical
The clamour against the recent drug pricing reforms in Germany has grown steadily louder. Last week Eli Lilly's chief executive called for an overhaul of AMNOG, the complex new vetting procedure that determine whether a new drug provides an additional benefit, and, consequently, its market price (The Pharma Letters July 11, January 28). In addition, the German Pharma Association VFA has highlighted the cost of the price freeze and increase in the mandatory discount pharma firms are obliged to offer the state health insurance system, and called for a review of the policy. 15 July 2011
Generics
Universal access to medicines was a key topic of discussion at a meeting this week of health ministers from Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) in Beijing, China. The meeting, hosted by the government of China, aimed to identify opportunities for BRICS countries to promote wider access to affordable, quality-assured medicines, with a view to reaching the Millennium Development Goals and other public health challenges. 13 July 2011
Biotechnology
'At a time when the USA is facing a jobs crisis, evidenced by the terrible employment numbers from last Friday, it is critical that our policymakers embrace dynamic and innovative business sectors such as the biopharmaceutical research sector and refrain from stifling job growth through shortsighted proposals such as government-mandated price controls in Medicare Part D,' said Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) president and chief executive John Castellani. 12 July 2011
Pharmaceutical
Despite the threat of austerity measures, the German government's focus on cost-containment within the pharmaceuticals and health care sector and the impact of generic competition as a result of the patent cliff, Germany will remain attractive to innovative drugmakers, according to a new report titled "Germany Pharmaceuticals and Healthcare Report Q3 2011 from Business Monitor International. 12 July 2011
Biotechnology
John Lechleiter, chairman, president and chief executive of US drugs major Eli Lilly (NYSE: LSE) has urged that biopharmaceuticals be included in transatlantic trade and economic discussions. Dr Lechleiter, who last week slammed German health care reform (The Pharma Letter July 11), participated in the American Council on Germany's conference on "The Transatlantic Partnership in the 21st Century," joining US Federal Reserve Bank Chairman Paul Volcker; German State Secretary in the Federal Finance Ministry Jorg Asmussen; and Handlesblatt editor-in-chief Gabor Steingart in a panel discussion. 12 July 2011
Pharmaceutical
Speaking to the Federation of German Industries Conference in Germany last week, John Lechleiter, chairman, president and chief executive of US drug major Eli Lilly (NYSE: LLY), slammed the German health care system which he said is stifling innovation and the country's approach to drug pricing could lead to drugmakers refusing to launch new medicines and cut back on their investments. 11 July 2011
Pharmaceutical
Following the intensive efforts of the Secretariat General of the Greek Ministry of Health, which is responsible for the pricing of medicines in the country, and the respective Directorate for Medicines and Pharmacies, the new Price Bulletin has now been uploaded on the web sites of the Ministry of Health and the Greek pharmaceutical industry association, the SFEE. Last year, the Greek government introduced draconian drug price cuts of 25% (The Pharma Letters passim. 11 July 2011
Generics
The Australian government last week tabled its report to Parliament on barriers to medicines entering the market through the inappropriate use of intellectual property rights over product information. 3 July 2011
Biotechnology
BIOTECanada and BioIndustry Association (BIA), the industry associations representing the bioscience sectors of Canada and the UK, respectively, have agreed to work together to increase opportunities for companies. 28 June 2011
Generics
The US House of Representatives last week passed HR 1249, the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act, with broad bipartisan support. The Senate passed its version of the bill (S 23) on March 8 by a vote of 95 to 5. The two chambers will now work out differences between the bills and then a final vote on a compromise bill will have to take place (likely in the Senate). 27 June 2011
Generics
India formally announced at the UN High Level Meeting on HIV and AIDS held in New York, USA, earlier this month that it will not accept data exclusivity, a provision harmful to access to affordable medicines, as part of a free trade agreement (FTA) currently being negotiated with the European Union. 23 June 2011
Generics
In its annual report for 2010 released to Canada's Parliament last week, the Patented Medicine Prices Review Board's (PMPRB) said that sales of patented drug products declined to C$12.9 billion ($13.17 billion) in 2010, a decrease of 3.4% from C$13.3 billion in 2009. 22 June 2011
Generics
Disputes between pharmaceutical industry associations and the Czech government have created uncertainty for Business Monitor International's pharmaceutical expenditure forecast scenario. By extension, this has added to the level of risk associated with the Czech market due to uncertainty surrounding the continuation or addition of further drug pricing reforms. 16 June 2011
Pharmaceutical
Andrew Witty, president of the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations and chief executive of GlaxoSmithKline, and EFPIA director general Richard Bergstrom have pledged to continue listening to patients, customers and other stakeholders and work in partnership with them to find solutions to the challenges facing Europe. 15 June 2011
Generics
The European Union is in negotiations for a comprehensive economic and trade agreement (CETA) with Canada. The last round of negotiations took place in Ottawa in April 2011 and the next round is expected to take place in Brussels in July. 9 June 2011
Pharmaceutical
This year's World Health Assembly (WHA), which has just concluded in Geneva, Switzerland, was historic, according to consumer group Health Action International (HAI), which says it followed some of the most controversial issues that were up for discussion on this ambitious agenda: the debates and action around agenda items 11.3 Global Strategy and Plan of Action (GSPA) on Public Health Innovation and Intellectual Property, and 11.20 Counterfeit Medical Products. 24 May 2011
Pharmaceutical
As one of the 189 non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in official relations with the World Health Organization (WHO), and in line with WHO principles governing relations with NGOs, representatives of the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers & Associations (IFPMA) were present to listen to the proceedings of the 64th World Health Assembly (WHA), which concluded yesterday in Geneva, Switzerland (See also separate story today on consumer group HAI's take on the meeting). 24 May 2011
Generics
The US Trustees of the Social Security and Medicare trust funds report on the current and projected financial status of the two programs warns that, if the 2010 health care reform legislation does not achieve its expected cost saving, the programs will not have sufficient funding. 16 May 2011
Pharmaceutical
The nomination of Robert F Kennedy Jr — known as RFK Jr — for the role of US Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) President-elect Donald Trump sent shares in vaccine companies sharply downwards. 22 November 2024
article
The UK government has reappointed BioIndustry Association (BIA) chairman Daniel Mahony as its Life Sciences Investment Envoy. 21 November 2024
Pharmaceutical
The Danish government’s newly-unveiled health reform has been praised for tackling chronic disease care and health inequalities while driving health innovation. 18 November 2024
Pharmaceutical
New research published by the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EFPIA) provides in-depth analysis of the economic footprint of the pharmaceutical industry in Europe, across member states and compares Europe to other regions of the world. 18 November 2024
Pharmaceutical
Johnson & Johnson has taken legal action to defend a contentious rebate initiative, filing a lawsuit in the US District Court for the District of Columbia. 15 November 2024
Pharmaceutical
The share prices of Pfizer, GSK, Novavax and other vaccine companies were all markedly lower on Friday. This was not due to the publication of disappointing research results in the sphere, or an ominous stance taken by a major regulator on a key filing, but rather a political development that could spell trouble for the vaccines field as a whole. 15 November 2024
Biotechnology
BeiGene has announced plans to rebrand as BeOne Medicines, a move the cancer specialist says reflects its commitment to fighting cancer through collaboration. 15 November 2024
Pharmaceutical
Danish patients are being offered fewer innovative treatments than Norwegians and Swedes, a new estimate from the Danish Medicines Council shows. 11 November 2024
Pharmaceutical
According to the Swedish pharma trade group Lif, it is positive that, in the updated life science strategy, the government expresses an ambition for Sweden to become more attractive for research investments. 11 November 2024
Pharmaceutical
Li Li, Commissioner of China's National Medical Products Administration (NMPA), and Mette Aaboe Hansen, interim director general of Danish Medicines Agency, have signed a letter of intent to promote bilateral cooperation in regulation of drugs and medical devices. 11 November 2024
Pharmaceutical
Following the news that Donald Trump is the winner of the 2024 US Presidential Election, Morningstar Equity analyst Julie Utterback has published a new note about the impact of this on the managed-care industry. 7 November 2024
Pharmaceutical
UK pharma major AstraZeneca, which has invested heavily in China, hosted a sell-side analyst call on Wednesday (November 6) to discuss the recent media reports about ongoing investigations in China. 7 November 2024
Pharmaceutical
Some of the UK’s leading academics and industry professionals have welcomed Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ £520 million ($669 million) pledge to develop the country’s medicine manufacturing capabilities. 6 November 2024
Pharmaceutical
European regulators will decide by December 6 whether Novo Holdings, the controlling shareholder of Danish pharma giant Novo Nordisk, can finalize its $16.5 billion acquisition of contract drug manufacturer Catalent. 5 November 2024
Pharmaceutical
The Danish government is rolling out the red carpet and welcomes several pharmaceutical companies. 4 November 2024
Generics
Medicines for Europe has launched a study of market barriers faced by European generics and biosimilar pharmaceutical companies operating in 11 key third-country markets. 31 October 2024
Pharmaceutical
Following the first Labour budget for 14 years, the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI) welcomes Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ measures to improve UK life sciences competitiveness. 30 October 2024
Pharmaceutical
HOPO Therapeutics has been awarded a contract valued at up to $226 million from the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA). 29 October 2024
Pharmaceutical
The Danish government has presented part of the plan for a future life science strategy, which has been welcomed by the industry. 28 October 2024
Biotechnology
Legend Biotech has removed Genscript Biotech as its majority shareholder, in a move coinciding with rising US concerns over Chinese ties within the biotech sector. 24 October 2024
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