Category: Pharmaceuticals
Singapore creates national action plan against antimicrobial resistance

As more and more Singaporeans use antibiotics as a quick fix for their ailments, the country’s governmentaims to tackle the growing problem of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in the country with the development a national action plan. Singapore’s Ministry of Health […]
WHO: Successful Ebola vaccine may be available for use by 2018

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), a successful Ebola vaccine that protects against the fatal virus may be available for use by 2018 as it is currently being fast-tracked for regulatory approval. Trials conducted in Guinea, one of the […]
“Landmark” drug is first to work in primary progressive multiple sclerosis

A “landmark” drug that alters the human immune system to treat multiple sclerosis (MS) has been found to be the first drug shown to work in the primary progressive form of the disease in trials. The drug, called ocrelizumab, is […]
Allergan to acquire Acelity’s LifeCell for US$2.9 bn

Global pharmaceutical company Allergan Plc has announced its plans to acquire Acelity LP Inc.’s regenerative medicine unit Life Cell in a US$2.9 billion deal that will expand Allergan’s portfolio of medical aesthetics, breast implants and tissue expanders, the company said. […]
Mylan to sell generic version of allergy drug EpiPen for US$300

Mylan, an American global generic and specialty pharmaceuticals company, announced that they will release a generic version of the life-saving allergy drug EpiPen for US$300, which is about 50% of the current price of the drug. The company recently came […]
Prescription drug spending worldwide to hit US$1.5 tn in 2021, report says

The annual growth rate of global spending on prescription medicines is expected to decrease and become more balanced in the next five years, although it is estimated to reach nearly US$1.5 trillion by the year 2021, according to a forecast […]
Australian high school students recreate Shkreli’s US$750 drug for only US$2

A group of 11 high school students in Australia has successfully recreated the life-saving drug Daraprim for a mere US$2 a pill, according to scientists from the University of Sydney. In September 2015, biotech executive Martin Shkreli became widely reviled […]
New diabetes drugs from rivals Novo, Sanofi both approved by US FDA

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved two new combination drugsaimed at the treatment of diabetes from rival global healthcare companies Novo Nordisk and Sanofi. Novo’s Xultophy and Sanofi’s Soliqua both combine a long-lasting insulin with a so-called […]
World’s first VLP-based influenza vaccine has been developed in India

The world’s first influenza vaccine to be based on virus-like particle (VLP) technology, called Cadiflu-S, has been developed in India by CPL Biologicals Pvt Ltd, a joint venture biotechnology company between Indian multinational pharmaceutical firm Cadila Pharmaceuticals Ltd and US-based […]
Asia Pacific countries pledge to fight antimicrobial resistance

Representatives from countries in Asia Pacific have pledged to take immediate action to combat the further spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), as part of a global response and joint effort in line with the World Antibiotic Awareness Week. The pledge […]