March 14th 2025
The certification allows Benuvia to produce pharmaceutical products for companies, either local to Brazil or international, that may be looking for compliant and high-quality production capabilities in the Brazilian pharmaceutical market.
AstraZeneca Agrees to $1.1-Billion Settlement to US and UK Tax Authorities
March 31st 2011AstraZeneca has been informed that the UK and US governments? tax authorities have agreed to the terms of an advance-pricing agreement regarding transfer-pricing arrangements for AstraZeneca?s US business for the 13-year period from 2002 to the end of 2014.
SOCMA and EFCG Urge for Reform in FDA Inspections of Foreign Drug-Manufacturing Facilities
March 17th 2011The Bulk Pharmaceutical Task Force (BPTF) of the Society for Chemical Manufacturers and Affiliates (SOCMA) and the European Fine Chemicals Group (EFCG) of the European Chemical Industry Council (CEFIC) are calling on FDA to mandate inspections of foreign active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) manufacturing sites with the cost borne by those sites being inspected. Both organizations have indicated a willingness to pay fees for these inspections when performed on their member-owned facilities that are located outside the United States.
FDA Issues Draft Guidance on User-Fee Waivers, Reductions, and Refunds
March 17th 2011FDA issued a draft guidance for industry on Mar. 11, 2011, titled User Fee Waivers, Reductions, and Refunds for Drug and Biological Products, that offers recommendations to applicants seeking such actions under the Federal Food, Drug, & Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act). A similar draft guidance was issued in July 1993. The new document clarifies the types of waivers, refunds, and reductions available under the user-fee provisions of the FD&C Act as well as the procedures for handling these requests, including how to appeal an FDA decision.
Senate Passes Patent-Reform Bill
March 17th 2011Last Tuesday, the US Senate approved the "America Invents Act," which is intended to reform the nation ’s patent system. If it becomes law, the bill will establish a first-to-file system by defining an invention ’s effective filing date as the actual filing date of the patent or patent application.
FDA Files Consent Decree against Johnson & Johnson
March 17th 2011Last Thursday, FDA filed a consent decree of permanent injunction against McNeil, a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson, for failing to comply with current good manufacturing practice requirements. The action prevents McNeil from manufacturing and distributing drugs from its Fort Washington, Pennsylvania, facility until FDA determines that its operations comply with the law.
AstraZeneca Discontinues Pulmicort Production
March 10th 2011AstraZeneca announced this week that it will discontinue the production of Pulmicort (budesonide) 100 and 200 µg/dose HFA (hydrofluoroalkane) pressurized metered-dose inhaler (pMDI) due to manufacturing issues related to technical aspects of the device, which prevents the ongoing manufacture of the product.
FDA Removes from Market Unapproved Cough and Cold Prescription Products
March 3rd 2011FDA announced on Mar. 2, 2011, that it is taking action against companies that manufacture, distribute, or market certain unapproved prescription oral cough, cold, and allergy products, according to an agency release.
EMA Challenged Over Conflict-of-Interest Case
March 3rd 2011A number of European public health and transparency campaigners believe that conflict of interest rules may have been breached with the EMA's decision to allow its former Executive Director, Thomas Lönngren, to take up an advisory role within the private pharmaceutical sector.