"A 15 billion euro market in 2008"
(la Repubblica Affari & Finanza: page 26 – 10 December 2007)
Frost & Sullivan forecasts on the market for implantable devices (implantable defibrillators and pacemakers) for the treatment of heart failure are, for 2008, 18 billion dollars (15 billion euros). Eucomed, the European association that brings together operators in the medical technology industry, estimates that by the end of 2007 the Italian market will achieve a turnover of 323 million euros.
http://www.aboutpharma.it/notizia.asp?id=15117
"A non-stop cure on medicines"
(Il Sole 24 Ore Private Affairs: page IV – 10 December 2007)
According to the latest issue of the AIFA drug information bulletin, drug alerts are increasingly frequent. Between 2001 and 2007, around 10 products were withdrawn in the EU following reports of adverse reactions from the European pharmacovigilance network. According to EMEA plans by 2010 surveillance and monitoring will continue to increase. Up to now, 63 centers have been identified, of which 5 in the pediatric area. Among the Italians: M. Negri Institute, Pharmacology Section of the Universities of Verona and Messina, CeVEAS, Biostatistics Unit of the University of Milano-Bicocca. Adverse events can be reported by everyone: doctors, pharmacists, hospitals and citizens through the report form that can be downloaded from the AIFA website - www.agenziafarmaco.it, pharmacovigilance section, forms - which must be completed and sent to the competent ASL or AO manager.
http://www.aboutpharma.it/notizia.asp?id=15114
"Homeopathy, the medicines of discord. But companies are relaunching: we will grow"
(la Repubblica Affari & Finanza: page 25 – 10 December 2007)
The ancient controversy about the real efficacy of homeopathy is back in force. There are 11 million Italians who resort to it, with an average annual growth of 20%. IMS Health data reveal that the Italian turnover of homeopathy in 2006 exceeded 200 million euros, placing it in 3rd place after France and Germany. Boiron is the leading company with a global turnover of 398.67 million euros, of which 36 million in Italy. In terms of global turnover, Guna (45 million euros) and Oti (38 million euros) follow. Alessandro Pizzoccaro, President of Guna, declares that from 1998 to 2007 the homeopathy sector grew in volumes and turnover by 50% and that in the first half of 2007 it recorded an increase of 15%.
http://www.aboutpharma.it/notizia.asp?id=15113
"For whistleblowers also corruption"
(Il Sole 24 Ore: page 39 – 10 December 2007)
Whistleblowers may be at risk of bribery charges. Indeed, according to the 1st Criminal Section of the Court of Cassation, those who commit the crime of comparatorism, i.e. those who give or receive money in order to facilitate the diffusion of pharmaceutical products or specialty medicines, can also be charged with corruption. In fact, between these two cases there would be no specialty relationship, such that the commission of one would exclude the second, but the formal competition is always configurable.
http://www.aboutpharma.it/notizia.asp?id=15112
USA: Sanofi-Aventis against Apotex
(Les Echos online – December 10, 2007)
Sanofi-Aventis sued, chairman
