Warning over drug trial’s effects on testing

A pioneering clinical trial launched this year by a US-backed research institute may fundamentally reshape relations between payers and the pharmaceutical industry, IMS Health, the healthcare consultancy, warned

• Sanofi hit by talk of Plavix generic
• Optos wins award as it catches Brussels’ eye

Southern Cross Healthcare searches for acquisitions

The country’s largest provider of healthcare for the elderly said it was keen to buy smaller care home competitors as it increased its acquisition facility from £60m to £108m

Sanofi hit by talk of Plavix generic

A version of the French pharmaceutical group’s blockbuster blood-thinning treatment could be given the go-ahead, which would sharply cut its sales

Optos wins award as it catches Brussels’ eye

Dunfermline-based eyecare company, Optos has been awarded a European Commission inventor of the year award for its scanning laser technology

Drug side-effects prompt tougher code

Promotional information on medicines produced by British companies must explicitly state that adverse events should be reported amid growing concern from regulators

Analysis: Medicine looks back to its roots

The study and use of local plants and products over many generations ought to provide valuable clues for modern drug developers around the world

GSK issues bonds to fund share buy-back

The pharmaceutical group is poised to raise a record $9bn from new corporate bonds as part of plans to increase its gearing to finance an ambitious repurchase plan

Profits at Ireland’s United Drug rise 15%

United Drug increases underlying first-half profits by 15 per cent in spite of government-imposed price cuts to off-patent drugs