| Synopsis An unprecedented push to manufacture billions of doses this year alone has led to supply bottlenecks, putting firms such as Pfizer and AstraZeneca Plc in the firing line of angry government customers. Now the industry is taking heat for closely guarding its intellectual property. |
The discovery of multiple safe and effective Covid-19 vaccines has been the reputational boost the pharmaceutical industry needed. As science has caught up to the coronavirus, the price-inflating antics of Martin Shkreli and manufacturers’ roles in the opioid epidemic have faded into the background while people literally raise their glass to drugmakers like Pfizer.
An unprecedented push to manufacture billions of doses this year alone has led to supply bottlenecks, putting firms such as Pfizer and AstraZeneca in the firing line of angry government customers. The potential adverse effects of sticking needles into people’s arms are dominating headlines, as seen with the halting of the Astra vaccine in Canada and Europe even as regulators insist the benefits outweigh the risks.
Now the industry is taking heat for closely guarding its intellectual property. That’s blamed for what the World Health Organization dubs a “catastrophic moral failure”: the immunization gap between the developing world and deep-pocketed rich countries, which have ordered enough doses to cover their populations several times over.
If vaccine makers were to waive exclusive rights to manufacture their product – an idea pushed by 58 countries at the World Trade Organization including India and South Africa – advocates say that supply would bloom and we would exit the pandemic quicker. The push for a “people’s vaccine,” backed by the likes of Bernie Sanders, is popular with three-quarters of British voters and almost two-thirds of French people polled by YouGov.
Unlike in past crises such as HIV/AIDS, cracking open the recipe for Covid vaccines, especially those from Pfizer and Moderna is only half the battle given the complexity of genetic technologies making their debut in this pandemic. Manufacturing is a challenge too, and there isn’t much time for trial and error.
We haven’t quashed this virus yet and letting the pharma industry’s pandemic halo crash to the floor won’t help get us there any faster. Finding constructive ways to keep the public’s romance with drugmakers last a little longer makes sense, even if it doesn’t make money.
Advanced Drug Delivery Systems Market, valued at USD 234.84 billion in 2023, is on a trajectory of significant growth, projected to reach USD 352.01 billion by 2032
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on January 15, 2025, announced its decision to ban Red Dye No. 3 also referred to as Erythrosine.
Targeted drug delivery revolutionises treatment by focusing medications on specific tissues, reducing the impact on healthy cells. Scientists enhance this precision with carriers like microspheres and nanoparticles, controlling release and absorption. Microspheres, made from biodegradable proteins or polymers, sustain drug release, making them ideal for targeted therapies, especially in oncology. Beyond drug delivery, microspheres open new possibilities across industries—from next-gen coatings to thermal insulation. With tailored sizes, shapes, and materials, they drive advancements in pharmaceuticals, advanced materials, and more.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has proposed a new rule to require standardized testing of talc-containing cosmetics for asbestos. The FDA noted that this move aims to protect consumers from potential harm posed by asbestos, a known carcinogen linked to serious illnesses such as lung and ovarian cancers.
As one of the most significant holidays in China, Chinese New Year (CNY) profoundly impacts global shipping, logistics, and supply chains. Scheduled to begin on January 29, 2025, this festive period lasts up to two weeks, with many factories, ports, and businesses shutting down or operating with limited staff. Understanding the implications of CNY on your supply chain is critical to avoid disruptions and ensure seamless operations.
Disruptions in the Red Sea, Suez Canal, and Panama Canal have driven up shipping costs, sending shockwaves through the global economy.
It was truly heartwarming to see so many clients and associates visiting our stand, even as late as at the end of the show, sharing drinks and engaging in conversations.
Ocean freight rates on key global container routes have fallen again. Despite the upcoming Golden Week in China, which usually drives demand, the situation this year is slightly different, and the expected rate increase may not happen.
Highly potent active pharmaceutical ingredients (HPAPIs) are at the dangers of cross-contamination with other product forefront of pharmaceutical manufacturing. They are particularly common in targeted therapies and personalized medicines. This is primarily due to their potent therapeutic effects at low dosage forms.