"Alzheimer's, race against time. Companies from all over the world on track"
(la Repubblica Affari & Finanza: page 14 – 24 September 2007)
An analysis by Frost & Sullivan reveals that, globally, the market for drugs against Alzheimer's in 2006 recorded revenues of 2.41 billion dollars and that in 2013 it should exceed 4 billion euros. The potential of this market has attracted the attention of pharmaceutical companies which, within 2 years, should bring the first drugs capable of altering the course of the disease onto the market.
http://www.aboutpharma.it/notizia.asp?id=14347
EU: Approval for Novartis' Exelon Patch
(Les Echos online – September 24, 2007)
The European Commission has approved the Novartis Exelon Patch, used in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. The company said this pharmaceutical form reduces side effects and allows the active ingredients to be delivered into the bloodstream, through the skin, at a continuous rate over a 24-hour period.
http://www.aboutpharma.it/notizia.asp?id=14343
"The latest Italian hospitals in technology"
(la Repubblica Affari & Finanza: page 15 – 24 September 2007)
The study 'Excellence in the management of hospital activities', conducted by the consultancy firm Booz Allen Hamilton, analyzed strategies, purchases of goods and services, quality of services, information technology and safety in 81 hospitals in 6 countries (Great Britain, France, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Austria). Pietro Candela, principal of the Italian team of Booz Allen, declares that the increase in costs 'and the rationalization of the same involves a programming effort and a long-term planning of resources making it necessary for hospitals to adopt budgeting tools typical of a company'. But to do this you need time and Italy, unlike other countries, is penalized by the cyclical nature of politics. The study shows that our country has one of the lowest total health expenditures in Europe and of this, only 1% is covered by private insurance. The survey also shows that patient satisfaction continues to be low and that only the 11% of Italian facilities offers an adequate number of services and amenities. As far as information technology is concerned, Italian hospitals are computerised, but innovative forms, such as telemedicine, are still little used.
http://www.aboutpharma.it/notizia.asp?id=14350
USA: consumption of generics is growing also thanks to large-scale distribution
(International Herald Tribune: page 19 – 22/23 September 2007)
According to data from IMS Health, in 2006 pharmaceutical spending in the USA grew by 8.3%. The cost of drugs, on the other hand, recorded an annual growth rate of +1% in the last 12 months, the lowest in the last 30 years. This phenomenon is due both to the entry into the market of equivalent medicines and to the so-called 'Wall-Mart effect', a marketing strategy which offers a package of generic medicines at a cost of 4 dollars a month. US generic prescriptions grew by 63% in 2006 versus 13% in 2005. IMS Health data also reveal that the largest supplier of generics is not a US-based company, but Israel's Teva Pharmaceuticals.
http://www.aboutpharma.it/notizia.asp?id=14345
