Pharmaceutical Executive Digest Europe - February 11, 2009 - (Page 1) News European Generics Association warns of too much competition Greg Perry, head of the European Generic medicines Association (EGA), has warned of increasing cost burdens and hurdles to competition affecting the generics industry. Speaking at the 8th EGA Scientific and Regulatory Affairs Conference in Amsterdam last week, Mr Perry said that although generic medicines now “save EU patients €25 billion each year,” growing economic pressures on healthcare budgets are leading regulators to demand high volume generic competition and immediate access to generic competition after patent expiry. Mr Perry also called on regulators to urgently address the so-called ‘slot crisis,’ the current block on assessing new generic applications caused by the national medicines agencies inability to deal with growing demand. For more on these news stories and all the latest breaking pharma news, look at our website www.pharmexeceurope.com 11 February 2009 2 FROM THE EDITOR A week in pharma is a long time 3 NEWS Best new antidepressants named 4 NEWS Pfizer’s ‘stomach turning’ UK cinema ad 5 CALENDAR Upcoming industry events Strong Q4 profits for Novo, Merck and Schering Plough Novo Nordisk has posted a 138% increase in net income for the fourth quarter to 2.33 billion kroner ( 318 million). Turnover for the group increased 15% to 12.58 billion kroner, driven by Novo’s diabetes division, where turnover also rose 15% to 9.20 billion kroner. The company is said to be expecting “double-digit growth in both sales and operating profit for 2009.” Meanwhile, Merck and ScheringPlough have reported strong Q4 2008 profits despite a marked decline in sales of Vytorin and Zetia, the cholesterol drugs they market together. Merck’s Q4 $1.64 billion ( 1.27 billion) profit was counterbalanced by a net loss of $1.63 billion. However, the loss includes a hefty Vioxx payout. Schering’s net income of $480 million was offset by a $3.36 billion ( 2.61 billion) loss, but this relates to its buyout of Organon BioSciences. 7 ACTAVIS EXCLUSIVE Actavis exclusive: Surviving the Iceland crisis In an exclusive interview, Sigurdur Oli Olafsson, CEO of Iceland’s biggest company, Actavis, talks to Pharma Exec Europe about the country’s economic collapse, filling Robert Wessman’s big shoes, and rumours of an impending sale. Turn to page 7 CEO Sigurdur Oli Olafsson talks to Pharm Exec Europe 10 DIAGNOSTICS Change your patients, not your drugs 13 BUSINESS ETHICS Could you blow the whistle? 16 ON THE MOVE This weeks appointments and promotions http://www.egagenerics.com http://www.egagenerics.com http://www.gpaconferences.com/files/RAC09_Programme.pdf http://www.gpaconferences.com/files/RAC09_Programme.pdf http://www.gpaconferences.com/files/RAC09_Programme.pdf http://www.novonordisk.com http://www.vytorin.com http://www.zetia.com http://www.merck.com http://www.intelligenes.net/ViewWork.aspx?id=15 http://www.schering-plough.com/ http://www.schering-plough.com/
Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Pharmaceutical Executive Digest Europe - February 11, 2009 Pharmaceutical Executive Digest Europe - February 11, 2009 Contents From the Editor News Calendar Actavis Exclusive Diagnostics Business Ethics On the Move Pharmaceutical Executive Digest Europe - February 11, 2009 Pharmaceutical Executive Digest Europe - February 11, 2009 - Contents (Page 1) Pharmaceutical Executive Digest Europe - February 11, 2009 - From the Editor (Page 2) Pharmaceutical Executive Digest Europe - February 11, 2009 - News (Page 3) Pharmaceutical Executive Digest Europe - February 11, 2009 - News (Page 4) Pharmaceutical Executive Digest Europe - February 11, 2009 - Calendar (Page 5) Pharmaceutical Executive Digest Europe - February 11, 2009 - Calendar (Page 6) Pharmaceutical Executive Digest Europe - February 11, 2009 - Actavis Exclusive (Page 7) Pharmaceutical Executive Digest Europe - February 11, 2009 - Actavis Exclusive (Page 8) Pharmaceutical Executive Digest Europe - February 11, 2009 - Actavis Exclusive (Page 9) Pharmaceutical Executive Digest Europe - February 11, 2009 - Diagnostics (Page 10) Pharmaceutical Executive Digest Europe - February 11, 2009 - Diagnostics (Page 11) Pharmaceutical Executive Digest Europe - February 11, 2009 - Diagnostics (Page 12) Pharmaceutical Executive Digest Europe - February 11, 2009 - Business Ethics (Page 13) Pharmaceutical Executive Digest Europe - February 11, 2009 - Business Ethics (Page 14) Pharmaceutical Executive Digest Europe - February 11, 2009 - Business Ethics (Page 15) Pharmaceutical Executive Digest Europe - February 11, 2009 - On the Move (Page 16)
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