Scientists in Japan have developed a technique for making crystal forms of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) that until now have been hard to synthesise.
As 2008 drew to a close and people the world over welcomed the New Year, few would have noticed the passing of Europe’s paracetamol industry as Rhodia closed the doors of the region’s last manufacturing facility in Roussillon, southern France.
Several big drug-makers are voluntarily recalling some of their
cough and cold products for under-two-year-olds in the US as a
precautionary measure against overdosing on the drugs.
A report this week suggests that enforced restrictions in pack size
for paracetamol (acetaminophen) in the UK may have had little or no
impact on reducing the number of paracetamol poisonings.
The manufacturing compliance problems affecting US generic drug
manufacturer Able Laboratories, which have prompted a huge recall
of its entire product range, show little signs of being resolved,
reports Phil Taylor.
Johnson & Johnson has been forced to recall a series of
over-the-counter products for children, based on its Tylenol
(acetaminophen) brand, because their labelling is confusing and
could lead to overdosing, reports Phil Taylor.
The withdrawal of Merck & Co's COX-2 inhibitor Vioxx
(rofecoxib) because of cardiovascular safety issues - and concerns
about the safety of other drugs in the class - have left doctors
with some difficult prescribing decisions...
Italy's Defiante Farmaceutica is in negotiations with BioDelivery
Sciences International for the development of a new formulation of
aspirin that could cut the risks of side effects with the
painkiller.
A small US company has developed an encapsulation technology for
pharmaceuticals that promises to overcome a major healthcare
problem - deaths and illness caused by aspirin and other
non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).