Thursday, October 30, 2025

FDA Recalls Blood Pressure Medicine Over Cancerous Chemical

(10/29, Natalie Neysa Alund, USA TODAY) ...Teva Pharmaceuticals USA, based in Parsippany, New Jersey, issued a voluntary recall on Oct. 7 for some of the prazosin hydrochloride capsules it distributed, and the FDA classified it as a Class II risk level on Friday, Oct. 24...Neither Teva nor the FDA issued guidance on what to do with the recalled tablets. But according to GoodRx, anyone affected by a drug recall is advised to check their medication's lot number, contact their pharmacist as well as their prescriber and throw away the recalled medication... Full

Blood Pressure Medication Recalled Due to Possible Carcinogens

(10/29, Jack Phillips, NTD) ...The recall involves three separate lots of prazosin hydrochloride, a type of alpha-blocking medication, that were distributed by New Jersey-based Teva Pharmaceuticals, because a test result for N-nitroso Prazosin impurity C found that the substance's levels are above the "acceptable intake limit" under a type of test for carcinogens...The notice did not say why the recalled bottles contained nitrosamine impurities above the FDA's acceptable levels... Full

Over 580,000 Bottles of Blood Pressure Medication Recalled Nationwide

(10/29, Annalise Knudson, Slive.com) ...The recall involves bottles of Prazosin Hydrochloride, Capsules, USP, 1, 2, and 5 mg, which were distributed by Teva Pharmaceuticals USA Inc. The bottles contain anywhere from 100, 250, 500, and 1,000 capsules... Full

Biden's Law Sets Trump Up for Success in Negotiating Cheaper Medicare Drug Prices

(10/30, John Wilkerson, STAT+) ...They'll be closely watched for two big reasons: Medicare is negotiating the price of the blockbuster diabetes and weight-loss drug semaglutide, sold under the brands Ozempic and Wegovy. And Trump has bragged that he'll strike better deals than Biden's team, even as he's criticized the law and weakened it by exempting or delaying negotiations on certain drugs. In fact, a few factors could help this administration secure bigger savings than the Biden administration managed in the first round, according to drug pricing experts STAT interviewed. They include the drugs selected for negotiation and the fact that Trump's team benefits from the experience of Biden's efforts... Sub. Req’d

GSK Confirms IRA Negotiations for Trelegy are Complete, Says They Met Expectations

(10/29, Nicole DeFeudis, Endpoints News) ...GSK's incoming CEO Luke Miels said Wednesday that Medicare negotiations for the company's top-selling respiratory product Trelegy Ellipta have concluded "in line with expectations." The company is one of the first to disclose that it has wrapped up the latest round of price negotiations under the Inflation Reduction Act...Miels' comments offer an early glimpse at how IRA talks with the Trump administration unfolded. An Astellas spokesperson also confirmed to Endpoints News that negotiations have concluded for its Pfizer-partnered prostate cancer treatment Xtandi, but the company declined to provide further detail... Sub. Req’d

FDA Moves to Ease Path for Biosimilars as Trump Seeks to Cut Drug Costs

(10/29, Daniel Payne, STAT+) ...The Trump administration announced a draft framework Wednesday that officials say will speed cheaper versions of biologic drugs to market with the aim of making medicine more affordable and accessible for patients. The framework will shorten the path for the Food and Drug Administration to approve biosimilars, or copycat versions of biologic drugs, by lowering the clinical standards companies need to meet before bringing the drugs to market... Sub. Req’d

FDA to Speed Biosimilar Approvals in Push to Cut Drug Costs

(10/29, Nyah Phengsitthy, Bloomberg Law) ...This has spurred debates on whether several alternatives of an original biological drug, such as to AbbVie Inc.'s inflammatory treatment Humira, can bring down the actual cost for expensive biologics. Reports also indicate that price reductions and savings have been limited for biosimilars that have entered the market. "Once a biosimilar comes to market, I do ask that you lower the price significantly beyond the biologic price," Makary told the industry Wednesday... Full

F.D.A. Moves to Speed Approvals for Cheaper Copycat Drugs

(10/29, Rebecca Robbins, The New York Times) ...The Trump administration's moves could help accelerate some biosimilars, but they stop short of addressing the most stubborn obstacles that have suppressed the copycats in the United States. The makers of brand-name drugs have used patents and lawsuits to block biosimilars from reaching the market, in some cases for years after the copycat wins F.D.A. approval. And when the copycats are introduced, they have been slow to gain market share. "I don't really see this regulatory change as an alleviation of the real bottleneck," Brian Skorney, a drug industry analyst at the investment bank Baird, said on social media... Sub. Req’d

Makary: FDA To Eliminate Comp Efficacy Studies As Part Of Major Biosimilars Announcement

(10/29, Jessica Karins, Inside Health Policy) ...The FDA chief said the agency hopes to shave months or years off the approval process and double or triple the number of biosimilars approved -- moves the head of the generic drug lobby says could transform drug spending in the United States coming as industry predicts about 184 biologics will lose exclusivity over the next 10 years... Sub. Req’d

AAM and the Biosimilars Council Applaud FDA Announcement on Biosimilars Clinical Efficacy Studies and Interchangeability

(10/29, AAM) ...The Association for Accessible Medicines, the trade association representing America's manufacturers of generic and biosimilar medicines, and its Biosimilars Council, today applauded the announcement by the Food and Drug Administration to streamline approval processes for biosimilar medicines. FDA Commissioner Makary spoke earlier today at AAM's annual GRx+Biosims 2025 regulatory conference in North Bethesda, MD... Full

Biosimilars Forum Applauds FDA and Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary for Supporting Safe, Effective and Lower-Cost Biosimilars

(10/29, Biosimilars Forum) ...Juliana M. Reed, executive director of the Biosimilars Forum, released the following statement following today's updated Scientific Considerations Guidance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration..."Now more than ever, it is clear that biosimilars—safe, effective, and lower-cost medicines that reference biologics—are key to fixing America's healthcare affordability crisis. Nearly 30% of Americans say they have not taken their medication as prescribed due to unaffordable prices. Today's updated guidance from the FDA and Commissioner Makary on biosimilars is a momentous, critical step in unlocking the potential of these modern treatments to lower prescription drug prices for all Americans..."... Full

The Biosimilars Forum Thanks and Commends Trump Administration Healthcare Leaders for Supporting Lower-Cost, Safe and Effective Biosimilars

(10/29, Biosimilars Forum) ..."On behalf of myself and the Biosimilars Forum's member companies, I applaud President Trump, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., FDA Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary, Administrator for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Dr. Mehmet Oz, and all healthcare leaders throughout the Trump Administration for their bold leadership in advancing science-driven guidance on biosimilars. Their efforts will help Americans access lower-cost, safe and effective medicines they need..."... Full

PCMA Statement on Trump Administration's Biosimilar Announcement

(10/29, PCMA) ..."America's pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) commend the Trump Administration's dedication to lowering prescription drug costs. Today's announcement to remove the unnecessary step of providing studies for biosimilar interchangeability is a watershed moment for making biosimilars more accessible for patients..."... Full

CSRxP Applauds Administration for Commitment to Fostering Greater Biosimilar Competition, Lowering Drug Prices for American Patients

(10/29, The Campaign for Sustainable Rx Pricing) ..."CSRxP applauds the administration for taking steps to increase biosimilar competition and bring down costs for patients, taxpayers and the U.S. health care system," said CSRxP executive director Lauren Aronson. "Actions to eliminate unnecessary red tape and streamline biosimilar approvals will help bring more affordable alternatives to market faster, boosting competition and delivering prescription drug savings for patients. Today's announcement represents an important step toward strengthening competition in the prescription drug marketplace, expanding access to safe, effective, lower-cost treatments, and holding Big Pharma accountable for blocking more affordable options."... Full

Oz Urges Patients, Insurers, States to Boost Biosimilar Use, Cut Costs

(10/29, Maaisha Osman, Inside Health Policy) ...CMS Administrator Mehmet Oz on Wednesday urged patients, insurers, and state leaders to embrace lower-cost biosimilars, calling on patients to request the drugs, insurance plans to redesign coverage to make them more accessible, and governors to use Medicaid spending on biosimilars to cut state health care costs while preserving funding for other services. However, Oz didn't announce any steps to mandate coverage of biosimilars or require pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) to include them on a lower cost-sharing tier, steps the generic drug industry has said are key to ensuring offering the lower-cost drugs remains financially feasible for companies... Sub. Req’d

ICER Finds Ozempic, Zepbound Cost-Effective

(10/29, Luke Zarzecki, Inside Health Policy) ...A new report from the Institute for Clinical and Economic Review (ICER) found the current estimated net prices for Novo Nordisk's semaglutide (Wegovy) and Eli Lilly's tirzepatide (Zepbound) are lower than the organization's calculated health benefit price benchmark (HBPB) for obesity, but both pose cost challenges to the health care system since so many patients qualify for the drugs. The report is the final version of an earlier draft released in September that had similar findings... Sub. Req’d

GRx+Biosims 2025 Day 3 Recap: Passion Manifests In Progress

(10/29, AAM) ...The final day of GRx+Biosims was a rewarding day of excitement for all participants. If Day 1 was about passion and purpose, and Day 2 about putting that passion into practice, Day 3 delivered on the promise of progress. It was a milestone day – one that united leadership, science, and policy in tangible action. By its close, attendees left not just inspired but witnessing the tangible manifestation of their collective efforts and commitment... Full

BIO Chief Crowley Tells Senators China Could Pass US Biotech Within TwoYears

(10/29, Max Bayer, Endpoints News) ...That was the warning Wednesday from John Crowley, CEO of the Biotechnology Innovation Organization — better known as BIO — during a sprawling Senate HELP Committee hearing on how to maintain the industry's global competitiveness. "We believe within two to three years we can lose this," Crowley said. He later told Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) that a world where China leads in biotech would be "a very different world from the one we have today."... Sub. Req’d

Amneal Gets Tentative FDA Approval for Asthma Treatment

(10/29, Kelly Cloonan, Dow Jones) ...The biopharmaceutical company said the product, called beclomethasone dipropionate HFA inhalation aerosol, is the generic equivalent of Qvar, an inhalation aerosol sold by Teva Group...It is Amneal's first metered-dose inhaler inhalation product, marking progress in the company's expansion into complex respiratory therapies... Full

‘Life-Shattering' Migraines Can Be Cured With Just One Shot Every 3 Months: Expert

(10/30, Hong Sook, Korea Biomedical Review) ...Korea Biomedical Review spoke with Professor Cho about the difficulties migraine patients face and the changing treatment landscape brought about by CGRP inhibitors...Q: What sets Ajovy apart from other CGRP drugs? A: Its biggest advantage is the ability to administer it every three months. Given that patients often find monthly hospital visits difficult, maintaining comfort for 3 months with just 1 injection per season is a significant benefit. It is also the only drug with evidence of a relatively long half-life and clinically sustained efficacy even at three-month dosing intervals. Furthermore, its inclusion of studies in the elderly and pediatric populations is noteworthy... Full

Roche Promises $1B to China Biotech for Preclinical COPD Bispecific

(10/29, Kyle LaHucik, Endpoints News) ...To start working with the Qyuns, Roche is delivering $70 million upfront, the Hong Kong-listed biotech disclosed in a regulatory filing on Wednesday. It could dole out up to $995 million more in biobucks if QX031N makes it through clinical development and onto the market, according to the filing. The move adds to a recent series of COPD deals. GSK delivered $500 million upfront to Henguri Pharma for access to a PDE3/4 inhibitor weeks after Merck dished out $10 billion to buy commercial drugmaker Verona Pharma... Sub. Req’d

FDA Grants Interchangeable Designation to Fresenius Kabi's Biosimilars Conexxence® and Bomyntra® (denosumab-bnht)

(10/29, Fresenius Kabi) ...Fresenius Kabi...announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) designated Conexxence® and Bomyntra® (denosumab-bnht) as interchangeable biosimilars to the reference products, Prolia® (denosumab) and Xgeva® (denosumab), respectively... Full

U.S. FDA Grants Interchangeability Designation to Celltrion's Denosumab Biosimilars, STOBOCLO (Denosumab-bmwo) and OSENVELT (Denosumab-bmwo)

(10/30, Celltrion) ...Celltrion, Inc. today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has designated STOBOCLO® (denosumab-bmwo) and OSENVELT® (denosumab-bmwo) as interchangeable biosimilars to the reference products PROLIA® (denosumab) and XGEVA® (denosumab), respectively, for all approved indications. The interchangeability (IC) designation is a regulatory designation granted by the FDA, which means STOBOCLO and OSENVELT may now be substituted at the pharmacy for the reference products without consulting the prescriber, subject to state laws... Full

Indian Pharma Giant Says Health Canada Rejected its Application to Make Generic Semaglutide

(10/29, Chris Hannay, The Globe and Mail) ...Indian pharma giant Dr. Reddy's Laboratories Ltd. says Health Canada has rejected its application to make generic semaglutide, a setback for what was poised to be one of the first generic competitors to Ozempic to hit the market in 2026...More than one million Canadians are currently taking semaglutide injections, according to Novo Nordisk. The huge demand has led to a lot of interest from generic pharmaceutical companies. Dr. Reddy's was one of the first two companies to put in a submission to Health Canada to make generic semaglutide, in either February or March of 2024...Since then, five more companies have made submissions: Sandoz Canada Inc., Apotex Inc., Taro Pharmaceuticals Inc., Aspen Pharmacare Canada Inc. and Teva Canada Ltd. None have disclosed responses to those submissions yet... Sub. Req’d

Indian Drugmaker Cipla Beats Profit View on Steady Respiratory Drugs Demand

(10/30, Rishika Sadam and Kashish Tandon, Reuters) ...The country's third-largest drugmaker by sales posted a 3.7% rise in consolidated net profit to 13.51 billion rupees ($153.7 million) in the quarter ended September 30, beating analysts' estimates of 13.47 billion rupees billion rupees, per data compiled by LSEG...The company has been facing pricing pressure on its generic version of Bristol Myers Squibb's cancer drug Revlimid, a key revenue driver in the U.S. market. The drug is set to go off patent next year, opening the door to more competitors and intensifying price competition... Full

Sandoz Delivers Further Sales Growth

(10/30, The Pharma Letter) ...Net sales of generics in the first nine months were $5,699 million, reflecting growth of 2% at CC and CGR. Generics represented 71% of net sales (9M 2024: 73%, third quarter 2025: 69%)...Net sales of biosimilars of $2,358 million in the first nine months reflected growth of 12% at CC and 17% at CGR. Biosimilars represented 29% of total net sales (9M 2024: 27%, Q3 2025: 31%). Successful launches so far this year, in line with roadmap: primarily in USA, including Wyost and Jubbonti (denosumab) and Pyzchiva (ustekinumab). Anticipated biosimilar launches in fourth quarter include European rollouts of Wyost and Jubbonti and Afqlir (aflibercept), as well as Tyruko (natalizumab) in USA... Sub. Req’d

Takeda Makes Some Pipeline Cuts, Says Generic Competition Softens Q2 Sales

(10/30, Ayisha Sharma, Endpoints News) ...The Japanese drugmaker nixed an AstraZeneca-partnered candidate for multiple system atrophy called TAK-341 after it missed the primary and secondary endpoints in a Phase 2 trial, according to a financial report. It also terminated two Phase 1 programs for narcolepsy (TAK-925) and acute myeloid leukemia (TAK-012), citing "strategic considerations."...Meanwhile, Takeda's Q2 revenues slid about 4% from the same time last year to JPY 2.2 trillion ($14.3 billion). The drop was largely due to weaker sales in the company's neuroscience franchise, driven by generic competition for its ADHD medicine Vyvanse in the US... Sub. Req’d

Biogen Cuts Profit Guidance After Deals to Bolster Pipeline

(10/30, Gerry Smith, Bloomberg) ...The Cambridge, Massachusetts-based company now expects 2025 earnings of $14.50 to $15 a share, down from a prior forecast of $15.50 to $16, it said in a statement Thursday. Revenue this year will be flat or up 1% compared with 2024, after predicting in July that it would be unchanged. The lower profit outlook reflects costs from recent transactions, including an $85 million payment to buy Alcyone Therapeutics, which developed a device to simplify spinal drug delivery, and a $70 million payment to license an early-stage immunology therapy from Vanqua Bio... Sub. Req’d

Merck Tops Estimates On Keytruda Strength And Narrows Profit Outlook, As It Lowers Estimated Tariff Hit

(10/30, Annika Kim Constantino, CNBC) ...Merck reported third-quarter earnings and revenue that topped estimates in part due to strong demand for its cancer immunotherapy Keytruda, and narrowed its full-year profit outlook to reflect lower estimated tariff costs and other items. Sales of Keytruda topped more than $8 billion for the first time in a quarter, up 10% from the same period a year ago. The results come as Merck slashes $3 billion in costs by the end of 2027, and prepares to offset revenue losses from the upcoming patent expiration of Keytruda in 2028... Full

Cardinal Health Lifts Annual Adjusted Profit Forecast on Specialty Drug Demand

(10/30, Siddhi Mahatole, Reuters) ...Drug distributors have been benefiting from sales of specialty medicines, which are used to treat complex conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and cancer, due to their high profit margins. They have also benefited from sales of cheaper versions of complex biotech drugs called biosimilars at a time when prices of generic medicines have been falling due to intense competition. Cardinal now expects adjusted profit per share in a range of $9.65 to $9.85 for fiscal year 2026, up from its prior range of $9.30 to $9.50 per share... Full

Eli Lilly Raises Forecasts on Surging Demand for Weight-Loss Drugs

(10/30, Mrinalika Roy, Reuters) ...Eli Lilly raised its full-year profit and revenue forecasts on Thursday as strong appetite for its widely popular weight-loss and diabetes drugs Zepbound and Mounjaro helped it blow past third-quarter earnings estimates...CEO Dave Ricks cited the continued demand for the incretin portfolio for the company's strong performance. Incretin drugs are a class of medications that mimic the action of natural hormones to improve blood sugar control... Full

In Lilly vs Novo Obesity Drug Battle, Trump Price Talks Grab Focus

(10/29, Mrinalika Roy, Bhanvi Satija, Reuters) ...That cushion and a diverse pipeline of medicines in late-stage development has helped keep Lilly a market favorite despite its steep valuation of more than $700 billion. BMO's Seigerman said while excitement around weight-loss drugs has risen as Wegovy and Zepbound have become more popular, the fundamental earnings and sales figures from Lilly and Novo still need to back up that enthusiasm. But for now, investors see this quarter as "a sideshow", said Deutsche Bank's Shin: "Who can run the better business when prices come down? That is still Lilly today."... Full

Eli Lilly, Walmart Launch Retail Pick-Up Option for Weight Loss Drug Zepbound

(10/29, Heather Landi, Fierce Healthcare) ...Walmart, which operates nearly 4,600 pharmacies nationwide, will be the first in-store pickup pharmacy for LillyDirect's self-pay single-dose vials of the weight loss drug, according to the company. It marks the first time patients using LillyDirect, the company's DTC healthcare platform, can access self-pay pricing for Zepbound vials at a retail pharmacy location. The offering will be available by mid-November, the companies said. The service provides consumers with additional convenience, access and choice in how they get their medication, the companies said... Full

Eli Lilly to Invest $1.2 Billion in Puerto Rico as Part of US Manufacturing Push

(10/29, Sahil Pandey and Siddhi Mahatole, Reuters) ...Eli Lilly said on Wednesday it will invest more than $1.2 billion to expand its manufacturing site in Puerto Rico, as the drugmaker looks to increase its U.S. production capacity to hedge against potential tariffs. The revamped facility in Carolina, Puerto Rico will help manufacture Lilly's weight-loss pill, orforglipron, for which the company expects to submit a marketing application to global regulators by end of this year... Full

Novo Nordisk Starts Bidding War With Pfizer Over US Biotech Metsera

(10/30, Jacob Gronholt-Pedersen, Louise Rasmussen, Reuters) ...Denmark's Novo Nordisk launched a rival bid for U.S. obesity biotech firm Metsera on Thursday, hijacking an offer from Pfizer as drugmakers jostle for advantage in the fast-growing and competitive weight-loss drug market. Novo Nordisk bid up to $8.5 billion, including $6 billion upfront and later milestone payments. Pfizer's bid was worth $7.3 billion including milestones. Pfizer said in a statement that the Novo bid was "reckless" and would be bad for competition in the obesity drug market... Full

The Race to Launch a Pill for Weight Loss

(10/30, Hannah Kuchler, Financial Times) ...Researchers have spent decades investigating ways to evade a gut that wants to break down the drugs and stop them before they work. In just the last couple of years, large pharma companies including Pfizer, Amgen and Roche have scrapped potential obesity pills after they disappointed in trials. But this year the problem may have been solved. Both the Danish drugmaker Novo Nordisk and US pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly, the makers of Wegovy and Zepbound respectively, have reported positive trial results for their pills and expect to win approval for them within the next year. Sam Ulin, a partner at life sciences consultancy ClearView Healthcare Partners, says the pills represent a "critical step forward"... Sub. Req’d

Thermo Fisher Launches OpenAI Partnership at CPHI Frankfurt 2025: Part One

(10/29, Patrick Lavery, PharmTech.com) ...Pharmaceutical Technology® Group had the opportunity to interview Jennifer Cannon, PhD, president, Commercial Operations, Pharma Services at Thermo Fisher Scientific, as part of its coverage of CPHI Frankfurt 2025. Cannon delivered a presentation at the conference entitled "What's Your Next Move—and What Will it Cost You? Driving Value Under Pressure" on Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025... Full

AI and Accelerated Computing Propel the Biopharma Ecosystem Forward

(10/28, Christopher Cole, PharmTech.com) ...In this part 1 of a 3-part interview regarding the presentation "The State of AI in Next-Generation R&D" at CPHI Europe 2025, held Oct 28-30 in Frankfurt, Germany, Eva-Maria Hempe, Head of Healthcare & Life Sciences, NVIDIA, discusses the pivotal role of artificial intelligence (AI) and accelerated computing in transforming the bio/pharmaceutical ecosystem... Full

Centralizing AI Strategy, Ensuring Process Integrity, and Balancing Quick Wins with Long-Term Drug Design in Bio/Pharma

(10/28, Christopher Cole, PharmTech.com) ...In this part 2 of a 3-part interview regarding the presentation "The State of AI in Next-Generation R&D" at CPHI Europe 2025, held Oct 28-30 in Frankfurt, Germany, Eva-Maria Hempe, Head of Healthcare & Life Sciences, NVIDIA, explains that the successful integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) within the bio/pharmaceutical sector requires addressing organizational, technological, and cultural challenges, according to an analysis of strategic imperatives for AI adoption... Full

AI and Human Collaboration Essential for Bio/pharma Innovation

(10/29, Christopher Cole, PharmTech.com) ...In this part 3 of a 3-part interview regarding the presentation "The State of AI in Next-Generation R&D" at CPHI Europe 2025, held Oct 28-30 in Frankfurt, Germany, Eva-Maria Hempe, Head of Healthcare & Life Sciences, NVIDIA, highlights the strategic necessity of integrating artificial intelligence (AI) while maintaining critical human oversight and addressing geopolitical concerns surrounding data sovereignty. She suggests that the future involves a truly collaborative framework in which technology optimizes routine tasks, freeing human researchers for complex decision making... Full

Cigna's Rebate-Free Pharmacy Model: Three Realities Behind Its Latest Push to Pop the Gross-to-Net Bubble

(10/29, Adam J. Fein, Ph.D, Drug Channels) ...Evernorth's new model may signal a genuine step forward-or could simply be the latest in a long line of rebate experiments that promise transparency but deliver only complexity. Either way, the channel's long-overdue reckoning with the gross-to-net bubble is now unmistakably underway... Full

Antibiotics Must Cost More Than M&Ms, Sandoz Tells Governments

(10/30, Paula Doenecke, Bloomberg) ...Drugmaker Sandoz Group AG called on European governments to protect local antibiotics manufacturing from a flood of cheaper Chinese products resulting from US tariffs..."We've been in antibiotics nearly 80 years in Europe and we want to stay in antibiotics for the next 80 years," Richard Saynor, Sandoz's chief executive officer, said in an interview. "But when we're selling a pack of antibiotics more cheaply than a packet of M&Ms, then governments need to recognize that if they want that to continue, then we need to work in partnership to make sure it's sustainable."... Sub. Req’d

Industry Calls for UK to Attract Top Life Sciences Talent

(10/30, The Pharma Letter) ...A new report from the ABPI, which is supported with analysis commissioned from EY, endorses the government's ambition to attract more global talent to the UK to help close skills gaps and accelerate economic growth. However, to achieve this goal, the ABPI says the UK's visa system must become more streamlined and competitive... Sub. Req’d

ABPI: International Comparisons in Medicines Spending and the Link to Competitiveness

(10/29, The Pharma Letter) ...Kim Assender, the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industries' (ABPI) director of commercial policy and analysis, explores the question: 'What is the "right" level of medicines spending to deliver optimal patient outcomes while sustaining our health system and fostering economic growth?' Drawing on a new report from IQVIA Global Market Insights, ‘Drug Expenditure Dynamics 2000–2022'... Sub. Req’d

‘Patients Will Suffer': Tales from the Frontline of the UK Pharma Crisis

(10/30, Julia Kollewe, The Guardian) ...‘We want to see more investment flow to Britain," the chancellor, Rachel Reeves, urged of big pharmaceutical companies this month, as she indicated that the government was willing to increase the price it pays for NHS drugs. Ministers are likely to announce a rethink on pricing soon, potentially by the end of this week. But the size of that rise remains uncertain. The big question is whether it will be generous enough to convince pharmaceutical companies, which account for a near-£100bn slice of the UK economy, to resume the investments they had paused in a strong-arm campaign to secure concessions from government... Full

China Eyes First-In-Class Blockbuster Drugs In Display of ‘Strategic Purpose'

(10/30, Dexter Jie Yan, Pink Sheet) ...China has begun a new 10-year, government-funded program to support innovative pharma R&D against novel targets and other emerging technologies. The roughly $250m initiative is aiming to create global blockbuster drugs and developers with global impact. The government has already set out details of nearly 50 research items for 2025... Global Sub. Full

This is How Dependent Germany is on Chinese Medicines

(10/29, Laura Fleischmann, Euronews) ...If a medicines production site fails, there is often a lack of alternatives, which can result in supply bottlenecks. The Federal Union of German Associations of Pharmacists has warned that around 500 prescription drugs are difficult to attain, with some facing shortages. Antibiotics for children and medicines for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and asthma are particularly affected. "Germany used to be the pharmacy of the world, now the pharmacy of the world is in China or India. And if factories there have production problems, this is immediately reflected in the supply in Europe and Germany," Thomas Preis told Bild am Sonntag. He is the President of the Federal Union of German Pharmacists' Associations... Full

South Korea-U.S. Tariff Deal Relieves Pharmaceutical Industry, Details Awaited

(10/30, Heo Ji-yoo, ChosunBiz) ...The domestic pharmaceutical and biotech industries are relieved by the news of the South Korea-U.S. tariff agreement settlement. This is because concerns over the ‘100–200% tariff imposition on imported pharmaceuticals' previously mentioned by U.S. President Donald Trump have been alleviated, reducing the burden...However, cautious views remain, as details of the agreement, including itemized tariffs for pharmaceuticals, have yet to be finalized. Oh Ki-hwan, head of the Bioeconomy Research Center at KoreaBio, said, "The current agreement is a national trade deal, and specifics will only be clear once itemized tariffs for pharmaceuticals are announced."... Full

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