Pharmaceuticals Policy in the EU

Latest business news about Pharmaceuticals and Medicines Policy in the European Union

Innovative Medicines Initiative boost for Europe's pharmaceutical industry — 06 May 2008, 01:00 CET

With the launch of its first call for proposals, the Innovative Medicines Initiative (IMI) got underway on 30 April. Joining forces, the European Commission and the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EFPIA) hope to bring Europe back to the forefront of medical innovation.

European Commission targets Germany over pharmacy rules — 02 February 2008, 16:28 CET

The European Commission has initiated infringement proceedings against Germany over its restrictions on the ownership of pharmacies.

Top European pharma firms confirm EU antitrust probe — 16 January 2008, 15:09 CET

Anglo-Swedish drugs giant AstraZeneca and British peer GlaxoSmithKline said Wednesday they had been approached by EU regulators as part of an antitrust probe into the pharmaceutical sector.

Antitrust sector inquiry into pharmaceuticals - guide — 16 January 2008, 12:49 CET

News, background information and web links about European Union policies on pharmaceuticals and medicines.

EU launches antitrust probe into pharmaceutical sector — 17 January 2008, 18:41 CET

The European Commission said Wednesday it had launched an antitrust probe into the pharmaceutical industry on concerns about uncompetitive behaviour in the sector.

Access to essential medicines — 19 November 2007, 17:22 CET

Infectious diseases are responsible for almost half of all deaths in developing countries, and half of these diseases are caused by HIV (AIDS), tuberculosis and malaria. More than 2 billion inhabitants of the world do not have regular access to adequate treatment and cure. AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria alone kill 5 million people each year mostly in developing countries.

WTO deal on generic medicines - guide — 19 November 2007, 17:17 CET

News, background information and web links about the trade policy of the European Union.

EU adopts WTO deal on access to generic medicines — 19 November 2007, 17:27 CET

The EU on Monday adopted a WTO initiative to improve access for the world's poorest people to cheaper drugs against diseases such as HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis.

Bayer announces billion-euro environmental investment — 19 November 2007, 14:58 CET

The German pharmaceutical and chemicals giant Bayer will invest one billion euros (1.46 billion dollars) over three years in environmental protection activities, it said Monday.

2007 Annual report from the EU drugs agency — 08 November 2007, 19:49 CET

Drug facts, figures and analyses: across Europe and by country - Latest trends and legal, political, social and health responses - Selected issues: Drugs and driving; drug use among the under 15s; cocaine

EU Parliament says use Afghan opium for painkillers — 25 October 2007, 22:32 CET

Part of Afghanistan's massive illegal opium poppy crop could be used to produce painkillers for developing countries, the European Parliament suggests.

Pharma group Merck says strong euro will hurt 2007 sales — 24 October 2007, 10:30 CET

German pharmaceutical giant Merck posted third quarter results Wednesday that exceeded analysts expectations, but the group said the strong euro would affect its full-year sales.

EU has lifted suspension on anti-AIDS drug, say makers Roche — 19 October 2007, 10:57 CET

Swiss pharmaceuticals giant Roche said Friday the European Commission had restored the licence to market the HIV drug Viracept in the European Union withdrawn after a contamination problem.

EU clears Schering-Plough takeover of Akzo Nobel's drugs unit — 11 October 2007, 18:12 CET

EU regulators on Thursday approved US pharmaceutical company Schering-Plough's 11-billion-euro (16 billion-dollar) takeover of the Organon BioSciences drug unit of Dutch-Swedish rival Akzo Nobel.

Biotech industries still see room for improvement in Clinical Trials Directive — 08 October 2007, 20:55 CET

The European Association for Bioindustries, EuropaBio, has repeated its call for the review of the EU's Clinical Trials Directive and its implementation into national laws.

EU suspends Roche HIV drug due to toxic contamination — 07 August 2007, 23:36 CET

The Commission has suspended a license granted to Swiss drug maker Roche to market HIV drug Viracept in the EU due to toxic contamination of some tablets.

EU Commission launches consultation on pharmaceuticals — 03 August 2007, 22:10 CET

The European Commission has launched a consultation on the future of pharmaceuticals for human use in Europe, as a part of its programme to improve the regulatory, non-regulatory and research, technology and development framework for pharmaceuticals.

EU regulators clear Nestle buy of Novartis nutrition ops — 29 June 2007, 21:34 CET

EU regulators approved on Friday Swiss food group Nestle's purchase of the medical nutrition business of pharmaceutical major Novartis on condition some assets competing in the same markets are sold.

Innovative Medicines Initiative Online — 16 May 2007, 12:46 CET

The Innovative Medicines Initiative is a proposed partnership between the European Commission and the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industry and Associations (EFPIA). The vision of IMI is to create Biomedical Research & Development leadership for Europe to benefit patients and society.

Faster access to better medicines: the Innovative Medicines Initiative — 16 May 2007, 12:48 CET

News, background information and web links about the public health policy of the European Union.

EMEA issues guidelines on clinical trials for high-risk drugs — 28 March 2007, 14:50 CET

The European Medicines Agency (EMEA) has adopted draft guidelines for first-in-man clinical trials of potentially high-risk medicinal products.

EU project to develop new Alzheimer's vaccine — 10 January 2007, 23:07 CET

Scientists in Mimovax, a newly launched EU funded project, say they are well on the way to developing a brand new Alzheimer's vaccine. They are focusing on the use of immune reactions to fight the known and less well known beta amyloid proteins that are thought to cause the disease.

European project brings genetic basis of deafness to light — 08 January 2007, 18:40 CET

A European project is building on the pioneering work of its top scientist to further understand the workings of the inner ear and find therapies for hearing impairment.

Pharmaceuticals in the EU — 25 August 2006, 11:35 CET

News, background information and web links about European Union policies on pharmaceuticals and medicines.

EU Pharmaceuticals portal — 08 August 2006, 09:42 CET

Since 1985, a score of European Community directives have been adopted with the aim of achieving a single, EU-wide market for pharmaceuticals.