The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has released final guidance for the second cycle of Medicare drug price negotiations. 3 October 2024
The Russian government has finalized the rules for granting preference to domestic drugs in public procurements, which will come into force in 2025. 1 October 2024
The Danish government is to remove the rules that currently prohibit the purchase of medicines from countries outside the European Union (EU) in a move that has not been welcomed by pharma. 30 September 2024
India is set to complete 50 new greenfield pharma manufacturing plants in the next two years under its Production-linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for pharma and medical devices. 30 September 2024
Global leaders have approved a political declaration at the 79th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) High-Level Meeting on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR). 30 September 2024
The generics and biosimilars trade group, Medicines for Europe, has put out a strong message amid ongoing discussions on a European Union (EU) Critical Medicines Act. 26 September 2024
US biotech Emergent BioSolutions revealed it has secured approximately $400 million in orders in 2024 and 2025 associated with its vaccinia, smallpox and mpox product portfolio. 26 September 2024
The UK government has released a position paper outlining its vision for Framework Programme 10 (FP10), a successor to Horizon Europe, the EU's flagship research collaboration program. 26 September 2024
President Biden has said the USA will commit at least $500 million to support African countries in battling the ongoing mpox outbreak in Central and Eastern Africa. 25 September 2024
The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) is continuing its legal challenge against the US government’s drug pricing reforms. 24 September 2024
The Foundation for Economic and Industrial Research and Greek pharma trade group the Hellenic Association of Pharmaceutical Companies have presented two studies reflecting the industry’s importance. 23 September 2024
Basilea Pharmaceutica announced that the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), part of the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR) has awarded Basilea an Other Transaction Agreement (OTA), under OTA number 75A50124C00033. 20 September 2024
Novo Nordisk is under increasing pressure over the cost of its blockbuster drugs in the USA, as chief executive Lars Fruergaard Jørgensen prepares to testify before a powerful Senate committee. 18 September 2024
The research based pharmaceutical industry has welcomed Mario Draghi’s report, published by the European Commission, outlining proposals on how Europe can regain its competitive edge and the critical role of innovative industries in achieving this. 11 September 2024
Even as emerging signs of a thaw in the broader Indian start-up funding landscape were evident, the Competition Commission of India (CCI) has tightened its exemption list under new combination rules. 11 September 2024
The US House of Representatives has passed the BIOSECURE Act, gaining bipartisan support with a vote of 306–81. Nearly all of the votes against the bill came from Democrats. 10 September 2024
The Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult (CGT Catapult) has highlighted what it regards as the UK's potential to lead the global cell and gene therapy sector. 5 September 2024
The budget on October 30 is an opportunity to end short-termism, cut waste, and attract long-term investment to the country’s economy with a sector-targeted R&D tax relief policy, according to the UK BioIndustry Association (BIA). 3 September 2024
The Danish Pharmaceutical Industry Association, Lif, has given its verdict on the government financial bill setting out new priorities in health in 2025. 2 September 2024
Marseille-based ImCheck Therapeutics has received 20.2 million euros ($22.4 million) in non-dilutive funding as part of the i-Démo call for projects under the France 2030 Plan operated by Bpifrance on behalf of the French government. 29 August 2024
Russia plans to revise the main concepts of public procurements of anti-tuberculosis drugs in a move to switch on the purchases of more efficient drugs with lower cost and side effects, The Pharma Letter’s local correspondent reports. 15 January 2024
US biopharma Emergent BioSolutions has secured a procurement contract with a maximum value up to $235.8 million to supply BioThrax (Anthrax Vaccine Adsorbed) for use by all branches of the US military as Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) for anthrax disease. 12 January 2024
A high-level committee, established to spearhead India's drive towards self-sufficiency in bulk drugs, has raised concerns about the substantial underutilization of allocated funds. 9 January 2024
India's aspiration for pharmaceutical self-reliance hit a rough patch as recent data indicates a surge in imports of bulk drugs and intermediates from various countries, including China, over the past two years. 28 December 2023
In support of US President Biden’s Unity Agenda efforts to beat the overdose epidemic, the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the General Services Administration (GSA) announced new guidance. 23 December 2023
Lif, the industry organization for Danish and foreign pharmaceutical companies in Denmark, has held a debate to discuss access to new medicines. 18 December 2023
US pharma trade group the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) has offered research suggesting the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) could undermine the development of biosimilars. 18 December 2023
At a briefing session of Oireachtas, Ireland's national parliament, TDs and Senators heard of the human impact of delayed access to new, innovative medicines and the consequences for patients of no dedicated funding. 18 December 2023
As a result of US President Biden’s much industry contested prescription drug law, the Inflation Reduction Act, drug companies will pay rebates to Medicare when prices of certain prescription drugs administered or dispensed to people with Medicare increase faster than the rate of inflation. 15 December 2023
The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is seeking to block French pharma major Sanofi’s proposed acquisition of an exclusive license to Maze Therapeutics therapy in development for treatment of Pompe disease. 12 December 2023
In the USA, the Biden administration announced a framework yesterday that proposes including prices as a factor when deciding if the public can easily obtain a taxpayer-funded drug and allowing government agencies to license the patent behind the product to another party if the cost is determined to be too high. 8 December 2023
Specialty biopharma firm Emergent BioSolutions has been awarded a $75 million option under an existing agreement with the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA). 5 December 2023
Industry has renewed its criticism of the UK government after the publication of new terms for the statutory scheme for branded medicines. 5 December 2023
In the latest move in the USA for rights to contraceptives and abortion drugs, on Monday, the Reproductive Rights Task Force (RRTF) provided a briefing to Attorney General Merrick Garland and Task Force Chair Associate Attorney General Vanita Gupta on the Department of Justice’s (DoJ) work to protect reproductive freedom under federal law. 5 December 2023
The UK Biobank has unveiled research based on its collection of genetic data, a record which now includes the participation of over half a million people. 1 December 2023
Several Latin American countries, given their processes of political change, are immersed in deep discussions about transforming their health systems, writes The Pharma Letter's local correspondent. 29 November 2023
As political leaders from around the world get ready to meet at the COP 28 climate conference, life science companies are taking steps to encourage sustainability within industry. 29 November 2023
Industry lobbyist Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) has criticized greater use of prior authorization in Medicaid. 29 November 2023
In the USA, the Biden Administration is currently conducting a government-wide review of the use of “march-in” authority under the Bayh-Dole Act. 28 November 2023