Associate Health Minister David Seymour has announced a Pharmac proposal to widen funded access to the gout medication febuxostat. The move aims to improve treatment options for thousands of New Zealanders suffering from the condition, with the proposal currently open for public consultation to gather feedback from patients, clinicians, and the wider health sector.
Walmart has finalized a $3.1 billion settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice and various state governments. The agreement resolves long-standing allegations that the retail giant failed to properly oversee opioid prescriptions, contributing to the national opioid crisis. The settlement includes requirements for enhanced compliance and monitoring protocols.
Shionogi & Co. and SUSMED Co. have mutually agreed to terminate their commercialization agreement for a digital therapeutic application designed to treat insomnia in Japan. The decision ends a strategic partnership focused on bringing digital health solutions to the Japanese market, with both companies citing a strategic realignment regarding the product's future development.
South African pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturers are scaling operations to bolster regional healthcare supply chains. Leveraging the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), these companies aim to reduce reliance on imports and enhance medicine security across the continent through increased intra-African trade and manufacturing capacity.
A daily oral medication, Rybelsus, containing the active ingredient semaglutide, is now available in UK pharmacies via private prescription. While primarily indicated for type 2 diabetes, the drug is being prescribed off-label for weight management, offering an alternative to injectable treatments for eligible patients seeking to manage their health.
A US federal judge has ruled against the Department of Defense, blocking the Pentagon from designating WuXi AppTec as a 'Chinese military company.' The court found that the government failed to provide sufficient evidence to support the classification, marking a significant legal setback for the Pentagon's efforts to restrict the Chinese pharmaceutical giant's operations in the United States.
Novo Nordisk South Africa has entered a strategic partnership with pharmaceutical company Acino to introduce a more affordable version of its semaglutide diabetes treatment. This initiative aims to improve access to essential care for patients living with type 2 diabetes across South Africa, addressing the growing need for cost-effective therapeutic options in the region.
Leading Australian medical and science organizations have expressed significant concern regarding proposed changes to the Research and Development Tax Incentive. Industry experts warn that the adjustments could stifle innovation and negatively impact the country's life sciences sector, potentially hindering critical medical research and development projects.
Swiss pharmaceutical giant Novartis has officially opened a new state-of-the-art facility in Ljubljana, Slovenia. The site is dedicated to the sterile filling and packaging of complex biologics and xRNA medicines, marking a significant expansion of the company's manufacturing capabilities in Europe to support the production of innovative therapies.
Swiss pharmaceutical company Roche has announced promising clinical trial results for its investigational drug, divarasib. The study evaluated the efficacy of the treatment in patients with non-small cell lung cancer harboring specific KRAS G12C mutations, marking a potential advancement in targeted therapy options for this patient population.
Swiss pharmaceutical company Roche has announced promising clinical trial data for its investigational drug, divarasib. The study evaluated the efficacy of the KRAS G12C inhibitor in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who have previously undergone standard treatments, marking a potential advancement in targeted cancer therapies.
The Competition Commission of South Africa has referred Adcock Ingram Critical Care to the Competition Tribunal. The regulator alleges the company engaged in excessive pricing of renal dialysis products, violating the Competition Act. The case now moves to the Tribunal for adjudication.
The United States has launched a formal investigation into Germany's pharmaceutical pricing policies. The probe aims to determine if current German regulations unfairly restrict U.S. commerce and disadvantage American pharmaceutical companies operating within the European market, marking a significant development in transatlantic trade relations.
A long-running investigation into the irregular procurement of medical prostheses in Murcia, Spain, has intensified as the case reaches the Regional Assembly. Lawmakers are debating the implications of alleged corruption on public health management and patient rights, following reports of inflated costs and improper selection processes within the regional health service.
The European Medicines Agency's Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) has issued a positive opinion for the expansion of Keytruda (pembrolizumab). This recommendation, which covers the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway, marks a significant step toward authorizing new therapeutic applications for the immunotherapy drug in these regions.
The All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists (AIOCD) has organized a 24-hour nationwide strike across India. The protest aims to highlight concerns regarding the rapid expansion of online pharmacies and aggressive corporate discounting practices, which the association argues threaten the livelihoods of thousands of small-scale independent medicine retailers.
Biotech company Alvotech has announced the successful conclusion of a routine surveillance inspection by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) at its manufacturing facility in Reykjavik, Iceland. The inspection is part of the regulatory process for the company's biosimilar development and production operations.
Brazil's health regulatory agency, Anvisa, has officially authorized the use of Mounjaro (tirzepatide) for pediatric patients. This decision expands treatment options for adolescents aged 10 and older diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in the country, marking a significant development in pediatric endocrinology care within Brazil.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has launched proof-of-concept clinical trials utilizing real-time data reporting. This initiative aims to modernize the drug development process, reduce timelines, and improve the efficiency of bringing new, safe, and effective medical treatments to patients in the United States.
President Donald Trump announced a deal with pharmaceutical company Regeneron to reduce the costs of its drug treatments for Medicaid and other federal programs. The agreement is part of broader efforts by the administration to address rising prescription drug prices in the United States and expand access to affordable healthcare options for patients.
