Gibreel's Favorite Links on drugs from Diigo

Financial Express : Chemists in new deal to beat big retail

Wed, 25 Jun 2008 07:01:29 -0000

he fierce battle in the retail pharma space is set to reach new dimensions, as drug retailers have started entering into exclusive tie-ups with drug manufacturing companies. The All Indian Origin Chemists & Distributors Limited (AIOCDL), the newly formed company with 5 lakh chemists across the country as members, is set to sign an exclusive tie-up with a Mumbai-based drug manufacturer. The deal is seen by many as AIOCDL’s strategic move to thwart the growth of retail pharmacy chains belonging to corporate giants in the country.

According to the deal, the manufacturer, Maneesh Pharma, will supply its drugs exclusively to AIOCDL, and not to other organised pharmaceutical retailers. Vinay Sapte, managing director, Maneesh Pharma, told FE, “We are considering an alliance with AIOCDL. In a couple of days, the model will be finalised.” In a few markets, the drugs will be supplied exclusively to AIOCDL, he added, without refusing to disclose further.

Tags: pharma drugs business India small

Posted by: gibreel

Ranbaxy buy may hit generic drugs supply

Fri, 13 Jun 2008 09:10:41 -0000

Ranbaxy has been aggressive in supplying generics, like anti-AIDS drugs, to developing countries, the company has participated in pre-grant oppositions in India (where a patent application is opposed before the Patent Office takes a decision) and it has been able to make similar versions of drugs like Tamiflu, used in the case of bird-flu, even as the patent situation was not clear.

This generic orientation could get influenced under the new owner and that would affect the supply of low-cost medicines to patients in India and other developing countries, the Centad representative said.

Corporate mergers and acquisitions in the pharma segment should not be viewed with the same lens as a regular corporate deal, as it could affect access to medicines, he added.

Tags: ranbaxy pharma drugs generics merger

Posted by: gibreel

India bats for generics, seeks clarity on counterfeits

Thu, 05 Jun 2008 06:49:28 -0000

In the global battle against counterfeit medicines, India has sought clarity on the proposed expanded definition of counterfeits, staving off attempts to equate counterfeits with generic medicines.

Counterfeiting is a trademark-related issue that affects branded, patented and generic medicines, the Indian delegation said at the recent World Health Assembly (WHA) in Geneva.

At present, the World Health Organisation defines counterfeits as medicines that are deliberately and fraudulently mis-labelled, regarding identity or source. Also, counterfeits could contain varying levels to no level of the active ingredient of the original medicine. The expanded definition refers to the “history” of the drug, bringing in several implications, a Union Health Ministry source familiar with the development told Business Line.

India has its own norms and punishments on counterfeit medicines and is not opposed to being part of global initiatives to tackle them, the source said. But, a clear global definition on counterfeits was necessary, as countries often rely on WHO’s norms and definitions when framing their laws, and an ill-thought-through definition could cast a shadow on generic medicines, the source said.

Highlights and Sticky Notes:

In the global battle against counterfeit medicines, India has sought clarity on the proposed expanded definition of counterfeits, staving off attempts to equate counterfeits with generic medicines.

Counterfeiting is a trademark-related issue that affects branded, patented and generic medicines, the Indian delegation said at the recent World Health Assembly (WHA) in Geneva.

At present, the World Health Organisation defines counterfeits as medicines that are deliberately and fraudulently mis-labelled, regarding identity or source. Also, counterfeits could contain varying levels to no level of the active ingredient of the original medicine. The expanded definition refers to the “history” of the drug, bringing in several implications, a Union Health Ministry source familiar with the development told Business Line.

India has its own norms and punishments on counterfeit medicines and is not opposed to being part of global initiatives to tackle them, the source said. But, a clear global definition on counterfeits was necessary, as countries often rely on WHO’s norms and definitions when framing their laws, and an ill-thought-through definition could cast a shadow on generic medicines, the source said.

Indian drug companies are largely producers of generic drugs or medicines that are chemically similar and are as efficacious as an innovative medicine. And India’s stance at the WHA brought cheer to the local industry, as they feared that the expanded counterfeit definition could be used as a non-tariff barrier against medicine exports from India.

Tags: generics drugs pharma counterfeit fake

Posted by: gibreel

Ranbaxy gets mixed verdict on Pfizer’s Lipitor in Australia

Thu, 29 May 2008 09:12:34 -0000

In a partial victory for Ranbaxy Laboratories in its patent litigation against Pfizer, an Australian court has ruled in favour of the Indian company in a case relating to Atorvastatin, the world’s largest selling cholesterol-lowering drug (marketed by Pfizer as Lipitor).

The court at the same time also ruled that a proposed Ranbaxy generic product under a different patent infringed Pfizer’s basic Lipitor patent.

The Federal court had ruled that one of Pfizer’s patents was invalid for inutility, false suggestion and misrepresentation in obtaining the grant of Australian patent.

Mr Jay Deshmukh, Ranbaxy’s Senior Vice President-Global Intellectual Property, noted, “We are pleased with this decision as it stands, as it advances the entry of Ranbaxy’s generic atorvastatin in Australia to May 18, 2012.”

The ruling, the culmination of a lawsuit filed in 2005 by Ranbaxy, preserves Lipitor’s patent coverage in Australia through May 2012. Ranbaxy can appeal the decision.

Tags: pharma generics ranbaxy drugs cholestorol

Posted by: gibreel

Separate department for pharma sector on anvil

Wed, 28 May 2008 05:08:39 -0000

In view of the robust growth of the pharmaceutical sector, the Government has decided in-principle to create a separate department dedicated to the sector, Union Minister of Chemicals and Fertilisers Ram Vilas Paswan said on Tuesday.

Addressing the media, the Minister said the proposed department for the pharma sector would be carved out from the existing chemical and fertilizer department, which is now also taking care of the sector.

Responding to a question on the demand of the Indian Drug Manufacturers Association (IDMA) for revising the ceiling prices of 33 bulk drugs in the wake of the appreciating dollar against the rupee, the Minister said, “In a situation where the profit margins are as high as 200 per cent, there is no possibility of any company closing its manufacturing business due to the price control mechanism of the government.

Highlights and Sticky Notes:

Addressing the media, the Minister said the proposed department for the pharma sector would be carved out from the existing chemical and fertilizer department, which is now also taking care of the sector.

Responding to a question on the demand of the Indian Drug Manufacturers Association (IDMA) for revising the ceiling prices of 33 bulk drugs in the wake of the appreciating dollar against the rupee, the Minister said, “In a situation where the profit margins are as high as 200 per cent, there is no possibility of any company closing its manufacturing business due to the price control mechanism of the government.

Tags: pharma drugs NPPA IDMA pharmaceuticals

Posted by: gibreel

Financial Express : New DGCI system to make life easier for the pharma industry

Sat, 24 May 2008 05:48:06 -0000

In an effort to facilitate the fast growing Indian pharma industry to position itself globally, Drugs Controller General of India (DGCI) has initiated a centralised uniform system for various processes of the industry.

“Online real time system for various approvals will be fully operational within two to three,” the new DGCI DrSurendra Singh said, while inaugurating a seminar on ‘How quality pays’, organised by the Indian Drug manufacturing Association.

Singh said 60% of the delays faced by the industry was in getting test licence, export NOC and to get approval for conducting clinical trials and all these delays will be addressed by setting up a system e-governance by digitalising offices (both head office and regional offices) and having interactive portals.

Highlights and Sticky Notes:

“Online real time system for various approvals will be fully operational within two to three,” the new DGCI DrSurendra Singh said, while inaugurating a seminar on ‘How quality pays’, organised by the Indian Drug manufacturing Association.

Singh said 60% of the delays faced by the industry was in getting test licence, export NOC and to get approval for conducting clinical trials and all these delays will be addressed by setting up a system e-governance by digitalising offices (both head office and regional offices) and having interactive portals.

DGCI office is trying to fix time frame for all the procedures of not more than eight weeks, including issuing of test licenses, NOC for export and clinical trials, in cooperation with the pharma industry.

Tags: drugs pharma drug-apporval business patent

Posted by: gibreel

Dabur Pharma gets FDA nod for prostrate cancer drug

Thu, 22 May 2008 04:11:58 -0000

Oncology drug maker Dabur Pharma Ltd announced that the US Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) has granted final approval to the company’s Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA) to market its generic version of EMD Serono’s Novantrone (Mitoxantrone Hydrochloride) Injection used in the treatment for prostrate cancer.
Fifth approval

This is the company’s fifth approval in the US after earlier approvals for Carboplatin, Paclitaxel, Epirubicin & Irinotecan

Tags: pharma drugs ayurveda Dabur USFDA

Posted by: gibreel

Ranbaxy begins operations in Yemen

Thu, 22 May 2008 04:05:31 -0000

Pharma-major Ranbaxy Laboratories Ltd on Wednesday said it has commenced its operations in Yemen, strengthening its presence in the West Asian region.

Ranbaxy has tied up with Pharma Ltd (Natco) as business partners for its Yemen operations. Ranbaxy will focus on therapy areas such as anti-infectives, gastro-intestinal, cholesterol lowering and anti-allergic categories in Yemen.

Tags: ranbaxy pharma drugs yemen generics

Posted by: gibreel

WHO Counterfeit definition worries Pharmas

Wed, 21 May 2008 06:40:23 -0000

The domestic drug industry is concerned over ongoing World Health Organisation (WHO) negotiations that aim to bring non-health issues, having no direct implications on the safety of a drug, within the ambit of the definition of "counterfeit medicine".

The industry feels that a proposal by the International Medical Products Anti-Counterfeiting Taskforce (IMPACT) of the WHO to consider apparent "trademark violations" as "counterfeiting" cases would harm exports of generic drug makers.

If the changes do go through, they say, foreign drug firms could stall exports of low-cost versions of patent expired medicines to key markets.

Today, Indian firms have several brands that sound similar to those

Highlights and Sticky Notes:

The industry feels that a proposal by the International Medical Products Anti-Counterfeiting Taskforce (IMPACT) of the WHO to consider apparent "trademark violations" as "counterfeiting" cases would harm exports of generic drug makers.

If the changes do go through, they say, foreign drug firms could stall exports of low-cost versions of patent expired medicines to key markets.

Currently, this would at the most be treated as a trademark violation. However, according to the definition proposed by IMPACT, the Indian product could be rejected as counterfeit, the sources explained.

This attempt to widen the definition of counterfeit medicine is happening at a time when a deliberate attempt is being made to label India as a major source of counterfeit medicines.

Indian companies, increasingly dependant on exports of cheap off-patented medicines to developed markets to drive business growth, will find this a major problem, the sources said.

"The IMPACT definition refers to ‘history', which is mischievous. This could lead to generics being treated as counterfeits," said D G Shah, secretary general, IPA.

He also pointed out that the proposed definition, if read with EC Regulation Article 2.1 (c) of the European Union, could amount to a serious threat to India's pharma exports. The EC Regulation allows seizure of counterfeit products even in transit.

The current definition of WHO says counterfeit drugs are "medicines which are deliberately and fraudulently mislabeled with respect to identity or source. Counterfeiting occurs both with branded and generic products and counterfeit medicines include products with the correct ingredients but fake packaging, with the wrong ingredients, without active ingredients or with insufficient active ingredients".

The definition proposed by IMPACT removes the clause "deliberately and fraudulently" and replaces it with "a medical product is counterfeit when there is a false representation in relation to its identity, history, or source". It also says that "this applies to the product, its container, packaging or other labeling information".

Tags: pharma drugs fake IP WHO

Posted by: gibreel

MNCs camouflaging drug identity(in patent applications), say activists

Tue, 20 May 2008 05:52:11 -0000

Domestic drug majors and public health activists have accused research-based multinational drug companies of not providing clear information about the type or use of the potential new medicines in patent applications.

The practice of using complex chemicals, or molecular formulae, in place of clear indicators as patent titles is an attempt to hide the identity of the actual molecule, they said.

Highlights and Sticky Notes:

Domestic drug majors and public health activists have accused research-based multinational drug companies of not providing clear information about the type or use of the potential new medicines in patent applications. The practice of using complex chemicals, or molecular formulae, in place of clear indicators as patent titles is an attempt to hide the identity of the actual molecule, they said.

"There are instances of patent title merely mentioning the invention as ‘a novel compound' or a ‘new pharmaceutical substance'. By doing so, the companies are trying to avoid detection of the actual nature of their products. The Indian patent law has, in fact, considered this factor while saying (in Section 10) that the title of the patent application and the patent abstract that follows should describe the product, its use and explain its contents," Gopakumar Nair, a Mumbai-based patent expert said. "However, there rules are often broken than followed," he added. With the number of applications reaching the four regional patent offices increasing tremendously in recent times, easy scanning of patent applications has become important for both generic companies as well as patent examiners, say the public health activists engaged in pre-grant oppositions against seemingly frivolous patent applications on essential medicines.

"We are most concerned about patent applications for HIV/AIDS medicines. However, it is very difficult to identify the applications for drugs meant for specific use. Most often, the details given in the applications are so complex that one fails to track all of them. Even after repeated assurances of making a searchable database, the Indian patent office website cannot be used to track drug patent applications for specific diseases," Ramya Sheshadri, a representative of Lawyers Collective said.

India should insist that all applications for pharmaceutical substances should indicate the international non-proprietary name (INN) of the substance as the title of the patent. INN is a common name that properly describes the product. "Such a provision will cover at least 90 per cent of the pharmaceutical patent applications and would go a long way in facilitating search and examination processes. It will also prevent attempts for secondary patents for known molecules. Prima-facie, the title of patent applications might look trivial but they are of vital importance for lifting the veil on secondary patent applications," D G Shah, secretary general, IPA, said.

Tags: IP public-health drugs patent

Posted by: gibreel

Canada regulator finds Ayurvedic products harmful

Tue, 20 May 2008 05:28:36 -0000

Health Canada, a drug and health regulatory body, has once again said some Ayurvedic products may contain high levels of heavy metals, such as lead, mercury and arsenic. Saying these medicines may pose serious health risks, the Canadian regulator has asked people to exercise caution while purchasing them.

The move is based on an article in the March 2008 edition of the British Columbia Medical Journal, detailing how an adult male had symptoms of vomiting and diarrhoea, believed to have been caused due to heavy metal poisoning by consuming one tablet a day of Puspadhanva Rasa, manufactured by Shri Dhanwantri Ayurvedic Pharmacy of India.

Highlights and Sticky Notes:

The move is based on an article in the March 2008 edition of the British Columbia Medical Journal, detailing how an adult male had symptoms of vomiting and diarrhoea, believed to have been caused due to heavy metal poisoning by consuming one tablet a day of Puspadhanva Rasa, manufactured by Shri Dhanwantri Ayurvedic Pharmacy of India.

The study had alleged that 14 of these products, made by Ayurvedic firms, like Dabur, Zandu, Baidyanath, Himalaya and Jalaram, contained harmful levels of lead, mercury and arsenic.

Based on the JAMA study, Health Canada, the UK's drug regulator MHRA and Singapore's regulator HSA had issued warning against Ayurvedic products with high metal content.

The issue also caused India's ministry of health to make heavy metal tests mandatory for herbal, Ayurvedic, Siddha and Unani medicine exports from January 1, 2006. The exported products also have to display on the label whether the heavy metals are within the permissible levels.

Tags: canada ayurveda quality drugs pharma

Posted by: gibreel

Financial Express : India is 2nd largest exporter of fake medicines to EU ...

Tue, 20 May 2008 05:25:56 -0000

The following statistics may not give India much reason to cheer. The country is still the second largest counterfeit medicines exporter to the European Union in 2007, although it has forfeited the first position it held in 2006 to Switzerland.

As per data released by the European Commission on Monday, India stands second after Switzerland in the list of top exporters of fake medicines to the EU in 2007 with 35% of the total fake drugs seized. In 2006, India was the leading source of fake drugs exported to the EU.

Next to Switzerland and India, the United Arab Emirates comes third with 15% of the total amount seized, according to the survey titled, '2007 customs seizure of counterfeit goods at EU's external border'. In 2006, India, together with the UAE and China, was responsible for more than 80% of all counterfeit medicines.

Highlights and Sticky Notes:

Also, in 2005, based on the European Commission's Taxation and Custom Union (TAXUD) statistics, 75% of fake medicines cases originated from India, 7% from Egypt, and 6% from China. According to an earlier EU report, counterfeiters accept crude methods for manufacturing drugs such as filling the capsules with a mixture of brick dust with yellow paint used to mark roads to give it a colour similar to that of genuine medicine and furniture polish to give a nice, shiny finish.

nraged by the increasing fake drug supply, the European Commission had launched a public consultation on the dangers of counterfeit drugs and had invited ideas to be submitted for regulatory reform. As per foreign media reports, the commission plans to plug in the deficiencies in the supply chain integrity through strict adherence to Good Distribution Practice (GDP), Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) standards and transparency in the distribution chain.

Tags: pharma business drugs EU counterfeit

Posted by: gibreel

MSD Pharma awaits nod for cervical cancer drug

Sat, 17 May 2008 05:49:43 -0000

MSD Pharmaceuticals Private Limited, the wholly-owned Indian subsidiary of Merck and Co Inc, US, is awaiting approval from the Drug Controller General of India to launch a human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine for fighting cervical cancer in India. The company has already conducted clinical trials.

Speaking to Business Standard, Sanjiv Navangul, sales and marketing director, MSD, said, "As many as 70,000 women die due to cervical cancer every year. This is more prevalent than breast cancer." The symptoms may be absent until the cancer is in its advanced stages. The cancer is a result of infection by the human papillomavirus, he said.

The company had signed a memorandum of understanding with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) for a three-year study on the vaccine and cervical cancer in December 2005. "The study will begin in a month,'' he said, adding the results were expected to start coming in in one-and-a-half years after the study begins as the recruitment of patients for the studies will be staggered. "We will supply whatever dosage ICMR needs at an affordable cost,'' said Sanjiv without quantifying the order that will come through.

Tags: drugs MSD pharma business drug-apporval

Posted by: gibreel

Ranbaxy, Merck in pact for anti-infective drugs

Sat, 17 May 2008 05:25:22 -0000

Ranbaxy Laboratories on Monday announced it has signed a collaboration agreement with US-based Merck & Co for drug discovery and clinical development of products in the anti-infective field.

Both would work to develop clinically validated anti-bacterial and anti-fungal drug candidates, with Ranbaxy slated to get an undisclosed upfront sum and more than $100 million for each drug target, depending on successful development and regulatory approval. It will also be entitled to royalties under the five-year deal.

“Ranbaxy will carry out drug discovery and clinical development through phase II ‘a’ clinical trials, with Merck conducting development and commercialisation of drug candidates thereafter,” a company statement added. According to the agreement, the collaboration would begin this year with an initial term of five years and can be extended mutually thereafter by the parties.

Highlights and Sticky Notes:

Ranbaxy Laboratories on Monday announced it has signed a collaboration agreement with US-based Merck & Co for drug discovery and clinical development of products in the anti-infective field.

Both would work to develop clinically validated anti-bacterial and anti-fungal drug candidates, with Ranbaxy slated to get an undisclosed upfront sum and more than $100 million for each drug target, depending on successful development and regulatory approval. It will also be entitled to royalties under the five-year deal.

Tags: ranbaxy merck drugs pharma business

Posted by: gibreel

Financial Express : Pushing the pill

Fri, 16 May 2008 03:24:22 -0000

Stupid article in FE about how price controls are unnecessary because they are market-distortions. How about doing away with other oppressive market-distortions like Patents?

Highlights and Sticky Notes:

Posted online: Friday , May 16, 2008 at 2344 hrs

Pharmaceuticals is one of those rare industries where the interests of producers and those of consumers are seen to be at odds with one another. In India, low purchasing power of the average consumer exaggerates the apparent conflict between the producer striving for profit and consumers wanting low-priced medicines. What is generally not appreciated is that it is a battle for survival on both sides, not just the consumer. So, when the government plays referee and points to the logic of democracy to justify the need for drug price controls, it cannot be unmindful of pharma’s economic structure. Like most other interventionist policies, price controls are distortionary. While lowering the prices of drugs, they squeeze the industry’s profits.

Tags: drugs business pharma price-control

Posted by: gibreel

Pharmaceutical firms opt for inlicensing to push sales

Thu, 15 May 2008 04:19:48 -0000

Highlights and Sticky Notes:

Ranbaxy Laboratories, Dr Reddy's Laboratories, Nicholas Piramal and other pharmaceutical companies are betting on inlicensing or strategic marketing tie-ups to help grow local sales after India banned copying of patented drugs.

ndian drug makers are forging alliances with overseas companies such as CD Pharma, Gnosis SpA, Crawford Healthcare and Syrio Pharma to sell drugs for chronic and acute cases.

These companies are doing so because it fetches higher profits vis-a-vis investments and is less risky after the world's second most populous nation adopted drug patents in 2005.

Further, inlicensing is an easy option. It's always easier to market drugs than manufacture the same. It also saves time and research expenses. Most of the deals which are renewable, are for about 3-5 years.

"It is a win-win situation for both the parties since the licensing partner gets an opportunity to enter a market where it lacks a marketing set-up," noted Angel Broking sector specialist Sarabjit Kaur Nangra.

Tags: pharma drugs business inlicensing patent

Posted by: gibreel

Drug companies chasing profits, cheating patients

Wed, 14 May 2008 07:37:58 -0000

Drug companies chasing profits, cheating patients

Highlights and Sticky Notes:

xploiting the ignorance of the common man, over half a dozen drug companies in the country have suddenly discovered the hidden virtues of an age-old, low-lying medicine called “doxofylline”, claim experts.

Before the aggressive promotion to sell the drug started last year, doctors were not even aware that such a molecule existed.

Explaining what he claims is the real reason for doxofylline’s entry into the country, the Editor of the medical journal, Monthly Index of Medical Specialities, Dr. C. M. Gulati, says: “The answer lies in the way drug prices are determined and controlled in the country. Doxofylline is being offered as a more profitable alternative to theophylline, prescribed to prevent and treat wheezing, shortness of breath, and difficulty breathing caused by asthma, chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and other lung diseases. It relaxes and opens air passages in the lungs, making it easier to breathe.”

Dr. Gulati has warned that patients in India are being made to pay excessively high price for a very ordinary medicine.

“While the cost of a ten-tablet strip of theophylline-400 mg is Rs.6.40, the cost of a ten-tablet strip of doxofylline is Rs.80.”

After the discovery of aminophylline, a double salt of theophylline and ethylenediamine, in 1910, attempts were made either to isolate similar xanthine alkaloids from plants or to synthesize them in labs. Result: dozens of derivatives of theophylline were discovered such as etofylline, theobromine, oxtriphylline, dyphylline, enprofylline, etamiphylline, proxyphylline and pyridofylline.

Tags: drugs pharma pharmaceuticals business drug-apporval

Posted by: gibreel

Back Pharma cos with R&D focus may get leeway in pricing

Wed, 14 May 2008 07:34:52 -0000

Back Pharma cos with R&D focus may get leeway in pricing

Highlights and Sticky Notes:

Indian drug companies that meet a slew of criteria, including approval of at least one of their manufacturing facilities by two reputed foreign regulatory authorities, may become eligible to a Gold Standard certification from the Government.

This would entitle them to claim a 200 per cent Maximum Allowable Post-Manufacturing Expense (MAPE) component while fixing the product prices in respect of 354 life saving drugs proposed to be brought under the control regime.

Ministry officials pointed out that if the Law Ministry favours imposing price control on essential medicines in order to make them affordable to the masses, then prices will come down by 18 to 64 per cent, according to the findings of a survey presented to the GoM in its last meeting.

The survey, conducted by public sector Rajasthan Drugs & Pharmaceuticals Ltd (RDPL), for Gold Standard companies (to enjoy 200 per cent MAPE) the price reduction would be in the range of 18 per cent to 56 per cent and for regular companies (150 per cent MAPE) the reduction would be in the range of 45 per cent to 65 per cent.

The Department of Chemicals and Pharmaceuticals had proposed to the Cabinet to bring 354 commonly used drugs under price control following which the GoM on pricing was set up. Currently, the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) keeps a check on prices of 74 bulk drugs under the Drug Price Control Order (DPCO) and revises them periodically. Bringing the 354 essential medicines under the NPPA supervision will mean that the companies would have to share production cost data with the NPPA.

Passing the test

The domestic pharmaceutical majors that are likely to qualify for the Gold Standard certification include Ranbaxy, Dr Reddy’s Labs and Jubilant Organosys.

Going by a thumb rule of spending five per cent of the turnover subject to a minimum annual R&D budget of Rs 50 crore makes it possible for companies with more than Rs 1,000 crore turnover eligible for the certification.

According to information available on the Internet, Ranbaxy has more than 1,200 scientists, Dr Reddy’s has more than 300 scientists and Jubilant Organosys has over 1,200 scientists.

Tags: life-saving drugs pharma price-control MAPE

Posted by: gibreel

MSD awaits nod for cervical cancer drug

Fri, 09 May 2008 06:23:22 -0000

Highlights and Sticky Notes:

MSD Pharmaceuticals, the wholly owned Indian subsidiary of Merck, is awaiting approval from the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) to launch a human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine to treat cervical cancer. The company has already conducted clinical trials.

Sanjiv Navangul, sales and marketing director, MSD, said, "As many as 70,000 women die due to cervical cancer every year. This is more prevalent than breast cancer."

The company had signed a memorandum of understanding with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) for a three-year study on the vaccine and cervical cancer in December 2005.

"The study will begin in a month,'' he said, adding that the results are expected in one-and-a-half years. We will supply whatever dosage ICMR needs at an affordable cost,'' said Sanjiv, without quantifying the order that will come through.

Tags: drugs pharmaceuticals drug-apporval clinical-trials India

Posted by: gibreel

untitled

Fri, 09 May 2008 06:01:26 -0000

Highlights and Sticky Notes:

Rio’s tourist police are investigating after a Brazilian reporter went “undercover” on one of the city’s shantytown or favela tours. He claimed to have witnessed the tour guide introducing gringos to a member of the drug faction that controls Rio’s largest shantytown, Rocinha, and then watched as they posed for photos.

There are around 600 redbrick favelas in Rio, home to around a million of its poorest people. The slums are considered no-go zones by most Brazilians. Foreigners, however, have always shown more interest in Rio’s impoverished underbelly. Since the 1980s, when guidebooks suggested cunning ways to sneak a peek at the favelas without actually going in, “poorism” has been a growing trend. Within a few years, tour companies began offering visitors the chance to talk to locals, visit social projects and buy art from “authentic” Brazilians.

Today a new, less savoury, generation of “poor guides” has sprung up.

For around $60, they offer to transport the thrill-seeking foreigner into a real-life version of “City of God”, the acclaimed film about Rio’s gang culture.

Some years ago, I was approached by a dishevelled-looking North American, who described himself as an “alternative tour guide.” He claimed he was taking a young English couple to meet some gangsters. Would I like to come? The next day, we were led up a steep concrete staircase towards the top of a shantytown in Copacabana.

Halfway up, we stopped to chat with a pair of traffickers and for the guide to fill his nostrils with cocaine. I asked the guide if he didn’t think the tours, which included the opportunity to pose for photos holding the traffickers’ weapons, a tad over the top. He shook his head wildly, a thick white ring now etched around his nostril.

It was important, he pontificated, for tourists to know the “real Rio.”

Tags: brazil poorism tourism drugs mafia

Posted by: gibreel