Sandoz has launched in the UK a new patient-centric inhaler for the symptomatic treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
News
Diabetics in Wales get NHS access to Novo’s Xultophy
The All Wales Medicines Strategy Group has accepted Xultophy for restricted use within NHS Wales to lower blood glucose in certain patients with type II diabetes.
Junior doctors in England vote overwhelmingly for strike
The vast majority of junior doctors have voiced their support for industrial action over the government’s threat to impose a new working contract from August next year.
Lilly, Merck expand cancer combo pact
Eli Lilly and Merck & Co have extended an existing pact to investigate a combination of their respective drugs Alimta and Keytruda for non-small cell lung cancer.
NICE, NHS England consult on Cancer Drugs Fund revamp
Long-awaited plans for the future of England’s Cancer Drugs Fund have now been unveiled, with proposals centred on a system for commissioning new cancer drugs that is fully integrated into NICE’s appraisal process.
NICE OK’s restricted use of Bayer’s prostate cancer drug
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence will this morning issue a Final Appraisal Determination recommending Bayer’s Xofigo for National Health Service use to treat certain patients with prostate cancer, but only in the post-chemo setting.
Pfizer, Allergan could announce $150bn deal in days
Speculation is hotting up that Pfizer will announce in a matter of days its intention to buy Dublin, Ireland-based Allergan for $150 billion, in what could be the pharmaceutical industry’s biggest-ever transaction.
Post-antibiotic era draws closer as new resistant bacteria discovered
The world is drawing closer to a “post-antibiotic era” after bacteria resistant to last-resort drugs are discovered in China.
Novartis’ Ultibro beats GSK’s Seretide in cutting COPD flare-ups
Novartis has presented data showing that its chronic obstructive pulmonary disease drug Ultibro was superior in reducing flare-ups compared to GlaxoSmithKline’s blockbuster Seretide.
UPDATE: Amgen’s cholesterol-buster Repatha turned down for NHS use
Cost watchdog the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence has turned down Amgen’s Repatha – the world’s first approved PCSK9 inhibitor – as an option for people with high cholesterol and mixed dyslipidaemia.
US breakthrough status for Pfizer, Merck rare skin cancer drug
US regulators have awarded breakthrough status to an experimental therapy being developed by Pfizer and Merck KGaA for a rare and aggressive form of skin cancer.
Amgen’s cholesterol-buster Repatha turned down for NHS use
Cost watchdog the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence has turned down Amgen’s Repatha – the world’s first approved PCSK9 inhibitor – as an option for people with high cholesterol and mixed dyslipidaemia.
FDA to review Sandoz biosimilar of Amgen’s Neulasta
The US Food and Drug Administration has agreed to review Novartis unit Sandoz’ pegfilgrastim – a biosimilar to Amgen’s Neulasta and its third biosimimilar now filed in the country.
Global drug spend to reach $1.4 trillion
Total global spending on prescription drugs could reach $1.4 trillion by 2020, according to a new report.
NHS finance chief question five-year plan as finances deteriorate
Health service finance chiefs are not confident that the NHS’ Five Year Forward View is achievable or that their organisations can deliver the efficiency savings needed to plug the gaping hole in funds, a survey by the Healthcare Financial Management Association has found.
