Ethiopian quality control lab gains ISO testing accreditation

05-Dec-2011 - The Ethiopian national quality control laboratory has gained ISO accreditation to improve access to safe medicines.

Vivimed expands EU, LatAm API capabilities in £35m deal

01-Dec-2011 - India-based Vivimed Labs is buying Uquifa for £35m ($55m) to add API capabilities in Europe and Latin America.

China-focused USP committee to develop excipient standards

29-Nov-2011 - USP is creating a China-focused East Asia expert committee to develop quality standards for excipients.

FDA anti-adulteration efforts hindered by industry; GAO

28-Nov-2011 - Industry reluctance to share information on economic adulteration is hindering FDA efforts to tackle tainted ingredients, a GAO report found.

FDA sends Mylan Puerto Rico plant a GMP warning letter

23-Nov-2011 - The US FDA has sent Mylan a warning letter after inspectors found GMP testing failings at its Puerto Rico facility.

Schott strikes deal with Xinkang for joint venture in China

22-Nov-2011 - German technology giant Schott has signed an agreement with a Chinese firm to provide the fast-growing pharmaceutical market with a range of high-end glass packaging products.

Aanjaneya’s profit soars as post-IPO expansion continues

17-Nov-2011 - Net profit at Indian API and formulation business Aanjaneya Lifecare jumped as it enacted post-IPO expansion plans to ‘dominate’ its markets.

USP forges closer ties with Chilean drug standards group

15-Nov-2011 - The USP has forged closer bonds with the Chilean Pharmacopoeia Foundation (CPF) in the latest of a series of agreements with regional drug quality groups.

Trust in drug source may blind wholesalers to counterfeits

15-Nov-2011 - Wholesalers’ trust in the quality of products from some countries could decrease vigilance and allow counterfeits to reach pharmacies, research found.

Pall sets up Singapore processing COE

14-Nov-2011 - Processing technology maker Pall has opened a new centre of excellence in Singapore in a bid to capture a share of the country’s growing biomanufacturing sector.

News in brief

Pharma CSR reporting up 39% in 2011 according to KPMG

09-Nov-2011 - Pharma sector corporate social responsibility (CSR) reporting has increased dramatically in recent years according to a new report that argues such activity enhances financial value.

K-V prompts FDA investigation into compounding pharmacies

09-Nov-2011 - The FDA is investigating compounding pharmacies’ Makena after K-V Pharmaceutical said they differ from approved forms.

Globalised supply chain drives EMA to rethink batch release

09-Nov-2011 - The EMA plans to update guidance on certification and batch release in response to globalisation of the pharma supply chain.

Chinese FDA should hire CMC staff to boost QbD; Pfizer exec

08-Nov-2011 - The Chinese FDA should hire more CMC reviewers to encourage QbD applications, a Pfizer executive said.

Greater FDA inspection role increased drug recalls in Q3, study

07-Nov-2011 - Greater FDA oversight of US manufacturing plants increased the number of drug recalls in Q3 in a trend that is likely to continue according to a new report.

ViiV teams with Russian manufacturer

03-Nov-2011 - ViiV, GSK and Pfizer’s HIV joint venture, has partnered with Russia’s JSC Binnopharm to boost manufacturing capacity in the country.

Round-up of news & views from AAPS & CPhI 2011

31-Oct-2011 - In-PharmaTechnologist presents a roundup of news and views shared by exhibitors and attendees at AAPS and CPhI.

Merck plans $250m Singapore manufacturing expansion

24-Oct-2011 - Merck & Co is investing $250m (€180m) in its Singapore manufacturing capabilities as part of an expansion push.

Avantor to add tamper-evident seals to raw material containers

20-Oct-2011 - Avantor is to offer tamper-evident seals on all its pharma raw material and excipient containers by the end of the year.

Canadian drug shortage plan fails to tackle problems; analyst

19-Oct-2011 - Canadian pharma manufacturers’ plan to stop drug shortages by sharing information fails to tackle underlying concerns, an analyst said.

Rusnano and Nearmedic team on nanomedicine manufacturing plant

18-Oct-2011 - Rusnano and Nearmedic Plus will build a ‘nanomedicine’ production facility in Russia in a collaboration that fits with Government efforts to boost local drug manufacturing.

Honeywell adds high barrier film for hot & humid climates

18-Oct-2011 - Honeywell has introduced a high moisture barrier film to protect sensitive pharmaceuticals in hot and humid climates.

Economic reform drove Indian pharma manufacturing boom

17-Oct-2011 - Liberalisation of Indian regulations in the early 90s caused a surge in manufacturing capacity but a dip in efficiency, research claims.

Sproxil & Orange fight for anti-counterfeiting market in Kenya

13-Oct-2011 - Sproxil and Orange have separately expanded text messaging anti-counterfeiting services in Kenya to tackle fake drugs.