FDA approves ella™ tablets for prescription emergency contraception

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved ella™ (ulipristal acetate) tablets for emergency contraception. The prescription-only product prevents pregnancy when taken orally within 120 hours (five days) after a contraceptive failure or unprotected intercourse. It is not intended for routine use as a contraceptive.

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Nampak Cartons & Labels helps Yardley’s Oatmeal range care for more than the skin

As a leading curative and preventative skin care range, Yardley Oatmeal, produced by Indigo Cosmetics, is soft on the skin, and endorsed by leading dermatologists. Much like the contents it holds, It’s outer packaging or carton is also soft and caring, but on the environment rather than the skin.

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How safe is the Pfizer dividend?

Sean Riskowitz from asset management firm Manhattan Financial takes a look at whether the pharmaceutical giant can retain its dividend to shareholders:

By Sean Riskowitz, Manhattan Financial

The pharmaceutical industry has long been associated with strong dividends, large cash piles and cures for all mankind’s chronic ailments. The lure of annuity revenue streams protected by patents, huge cash piles and ever improving products makes dividend seeking investors one of the biggest holders of pharma stocks, as a group.

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Basan South Africa established

The Basan group, a leading distributor of cleanroom products and services in Europe and Asia, has agreed to establish Basan South Africa.

Basan has more than 25 years of experience in the cleanroom consumables and garment manufacturing business and has a worldwide network of well-known suppliers.

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Sanofi-Aventis tops pharma dividend payers

By: Sean Riskowitz of Manhattan Financial

Investing in stocks that pay high dividends is an effective way for the conservative investor whose concern is mainly with the preservation of capital. When investing for a high dividend yield, the most important consideration for the investor is the sustainability of such dividends. Hence research into the underlying dividend payer is crucial.

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FDA phases out 7 metered-dose inhalers in US

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today announced, in accordance with longstanding U.S. obligations under the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, seven metered-dose inhalers (MDI) used to treat asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) will be gradually removed from the U.S. marketplace. These inhalers contain ozone-depleting chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), which are propellants that move medication out of the inhaler and into the lungs of patients. Alternative medications that do not contain CFCs are available

Devices affected, date of last manufacture in the US and manufacturers affected are:

• Tilade Inhaler (nedocromil) – June 14, 2010 – King Pharmaceuticals
• Alupent Inhalation Aerosol (metaproterenol) -June 14, 2010 -Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals
• Azmacort Inhalation Aerosol (triamcinolone) – Dec. 31, 2010 – Abbott Laboratories
• Intal Inhaler (cromolyn) – Dec. 31, 2010 – King Pharmaceuticals
• Aerobid Inhaler System (flunisolide)- June 30, 2011 – Forest Laboratories
• Combivent Inhalation Aerosol (albuterol and ipratropium in combination) -Dec. 31, 2013 – Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals
• Maxair Autohaler (pirbuterol) – Dec. 31, 2013 – Graceway Pharmaceuticals

Patients using the inhalers scheduled to be phased out should talk to their health care professional about switching to one of several alternative treatments currently available. Until then, patients should continue using their current inhaler medication.

CFCs are harmful because they deplete the ozone layer miles above the Earth that absorb some of the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays. The United States has banned the general use of CFCs in consumer aerosols for decades, and eliminated the production of CFCs in the United States as of Jan. 1, 1996, except for certain limited uses, such as MDIs.

“During this transition, FDA wants to ensure that patients have access to safe and effective alternative medications to treat their asthma or COPD,” said Badrul Chowdhury, M.D., Ph.D., director of the Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Rheumatology Products in FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. “We are currently working with professional societies and patient organizations to make sure patients understand which products will no longer be available and have information on which alternative medication might work best for them.”

The CFC phase out is part of an international agreement to ban substances that deplete the Earth’s ozone layer. The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer and the U.S. Clean Air Act aim to protect the public health and the environment from the potentially negative effects of ozone depletion. Bans on products containing CFCs began in the late 1970s.

The decision to phase out the products is the latest in a series of decisions related to the removal of CFC inhaler products from the market as required by the Clean Air Act. The agency proposed to phase-out the seven remaining products in 2007 and reached a final decision after reviewing more than 4,000 public comments and information submitted as part of a public meeting.

ISO/IEC standard to keep laboratory testers on their toes

A new ISO/IEC standard establishes internationally harmonized requirements for verifying the competence of organizations that carry out proficiency testing of laboratories.

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Vitabiotics partners with Clicks stores

Vitabiotics South Africa has partnered with Clicks stores as their preferred chain to stock Vitabiotics health products in the South Africa.

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Indian Biotech firm seeks South African partners

Indian biotechnology firm Titan Biotech has approached ManufacturingHub.co.za to identify distributors for its products in South Africa.

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BioScience turnaround on track

When AltX listed pharmaceutical and wellness stock Bioscience Brands was re-listed, we at ManufacturingHub.co.za were quite upbeat on its prospects. We retain this confidence in the overall offering.
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