Pfizer has revealed plans for the birth of a new business division, global speciality and consumer brands, after completion of its $160-billion merger with Allergan.
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New fund launched to boost child health research
The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) has launched a new fund to help boost the number of child health researchers on home shores and abroad and thus “safeguard the future health of the nation”.
Long-distance admissions for psych patients must end, says report
Phasing out unacceptable long-distance admissions for severely mentally ill patients and quicker access to acute psychiatric care are two key recommendations made by an Independent Commission for improving services in England.
EMA sets up Zika research task force
The European Medicines Agency is setting up a task force offering advice on any scientific and regulatory matters for the research and development of medicines or vaccines against the Zika virus.
NHS patients to be barred from Sanofi’s cholesterol drug
Patients with high cholesterol will not be getting NHS access to Sanofi/Regeneron’s PCSK9 inhibitor according to initial proposals by cost watchdog the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence.
FDA expands use of BMS’ hepatitis C drug
The US Food and Drug Administration has expanded the approved uses for Bristol-Myers Squibb’s Daklinza to include three new subsets of difficult-to-treat patients with hepatitis C (HCV).
US rejects wider indication for Vertex’ cystic fibrosis drug
The US Food and Drug Administration is refusing to extend the target patient group for Vertex Pharmaceuticals’ cystic fibrosis (CF) drug Kalydeco.
Hunt brands BMA’s behaviour ‘totally irresponsible’
Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt has accused the British Medical Association of being “totally irresponsible” in its behaviour during the ongoing dispute over junior doctors’ pay and conditions.
NICE u-turn backs use of Amgen’s Repatha
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence has taken a u-turn on its decision to bar NHS patients from access to Amgen’s cholesterol buster Repatha, the world’s first approved PCSK9 inhibitor.
UK lung cancer patients get early access to BMS’ Opdivo
UK regulators are granting some lung cancer patients access to Bristol Myers Squibb’s immunotherapy Opdivo ahead of a European licensing decision.
New US nod for Merck’s nausea and vomiting drug
US regulators have approved a single-dose version of Merck & Co’s chemotherapy-associated nausea and vomiting drug Emend.
J&J, ViaCyte step up search for diabetes cure
Private regenerative medicine firm ViaCyte is tightening its link with Johnson & Johnson group Janssen Biotech as the firms step up their search for a cure for type I diabetes.
Report slams Cancer Drugs Fund management
In a hard-hitting report, the UK’s Public Accounts Committee has concluded that the Department of Health and NHS England have not managed the Cancer Drugs Fund (CDF) effectively, failing to control costs and improve access to treatments for rarer cancers.
Statins show promise in treating sight-loss condition AMD
Researchers have found evidence to suggest that the leading cause of blindness in the developed world – dry age-related macular degeneration – could be treated with cholesterol-lowering statins.
Bed blocking costs the NHS £900 million a year
‘Bed blocking’, where medically fit patients are unable to leave hospital, could be costing NHS England up to £900 million a year, according to a new review.
