Coronavirus Over the past few years, innovative Swiss giant Roche has combined its position as the world’s number 1 biotech company and its strength in in vitro diagnostics to brand itself as the frontrunner in personalized healthcare. In 2012, CEO Severin Schwan set the ambitious target of pairing more than 60…

Opinion Jonathan Kimball of the Association for Accessible Medicines (AAM) in the USA outlines why the signing of the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) in January 2020 may mark a turning point for greater access to generic and biosimilar medicines globally.   US trading partners should take note. There is no longer a…

Coronavirus The 2019 Wuhan coronavirus outbreak has seen a surge in demand for protective masks as publics across the world seek to protect themselves from infection. Manufacturers of the masks have seen their stocks boom, but supply is outstripping demand and hoarding practices may leave healthcare professionals on the frontline of…

USA In 2019, several drug companies testified to the US Senate Finance Committee on medicine price hikes with a narrative of discounts given to health insurance companies and pharmacists, but not then passed onto consumers. In a recent conversation with PharmaBoardroom, Matt Eyles, president & CEO of the Association of Healthcare…

USA Takeda’s Jessica S. Scott examines the steps already being taken to bring greater patient engagement to drug development and the regulatory decision-making process in the USA; as well as what more needs to be done in this crucial area.   Steps Taken by FDA Under the Food and Drug Administration…

USA The Association for Accessible Medicines’ Chip Davis outlines the ways in which the US Medicare programme needs updating in order to promote generic and biosimilar competition and therefore increase patient access to more affordable medicines.   In this election year I hope that the candidates will lay out their solutions…

USA In 2019 big pharma companies prioritised shareholder payouts and dividends, with the eight biggest US pharma companies topping $31 billion in stock buybacks and the same amount in dividends. Revenues were not necessarily consistent with dividend and buyback amounts, and some critics argue that payouts should be lessened in favour…

USA David Crean summarises the mood at the recent J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference 2020 in San Francisco, noting a more subdued atmosphere than previous years, with reduced attendances and no big M&A announcements. Crean does, however, underline the importance of the Conference for industry networking and highlights some of the biopharma…

USA Eurasia Group’s Aditya Bhattacharji examines the stalling of healthcare reforms in the US and what changes to US healthcare it is realistic to expect.   Pharma is unlikely to be frog-marched by sweeping federal initiatives, but more incremental changes are likely With anti-pharma sentiment raging at the end of 2018,…

Opinion The AAM’s Chip Davis looks back on 35 years of healthcare system savings from generic pharmaceuticals in the US, and the peril the generics industry faces from the Lower Health Care Costs Act.   A key provision of our generic pharmaceutical architecture is in jeopardy. The “180-day exclusivity” is the…

USA Carla Smith looks at the three vital components behind successful strategic alliances in US healthcare:disruption,  data-driven demands and convenient care delivery.   Throughout my career, to bring positive and lasting change to the health sector, I’ve brokered more collaborative efforts than I can count. Strategic alliances between health leaders, nonprofit…

USA Boston University School of Law’s Kevin Outterson* looks at how cost-saving measures are contributing to the rise of drug-resistant “superbugs” in the US and the steps that need to be taken to remedy the situation.   Globally, 700,000 people lose their lives to drug-resistant infections each year In November 2019,…