Petition demands US label genetically engineered food

2011-10-04T19:30:55Z

Supporters and producers of organic foods petitioned the US government Tuesday for mandatory labeling of genetically engineered foods, and encouraged consumers to go online and join the cause.

The 21 petitioners want the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to use the full power of the law to ensure that consumers know when they are buying food made with genetically modified ingredien...

EU opens anti-trust probe into stay-awake drug deal

2011-04-28T13:30:30Z

European antitrust authorities announced on Thursday the opening of a formal antitrust probe into US drugs company Cephalon and Israel-based generic drugs firm Teva over stay-awake drug Modafinil.

The controversial anti-tiredness drug, marketed under the brand-name GlaxoSmithKline said on Wednesday that net profit rose 14 percent to £1.525 billion (1.72 billion euros, $2.5 billion) in the first quarter, despite a slump in product sales.

Savings from a major cost-cutting programme and asset disposals helped to offset a 10-percent drop in sales to £6.585 billion in the three months to March 31, compared with the first quarter of 2010, GSK said in a...

Bid to ban cloned foods in Europe collapses

2011-03-29T08:30:18Z

An effort to ban cloned foods from supermarket shelves in Europe collapsed on Tuesday after EU states and the parliament failed to agree a law to control the industry.

Although both sides agree on banning meat directly derived from cloned animals, government officials and Euro MPs clashed over regulating foods produced from the offspring of clones.

EU talks on food from cloned animals collapse

2011-03-29T04:32:07Z

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Talks within the European Union broke down on Tuesday over how to deal with food from cloned animals, sending EU proposals on the sale of new types of foods back to the drawing board after three years of debate.

Following all-night negotiations in Brussels, EU lawm...

Offspring of clones in food chain leaves EU in bind

2011-03-17T16:30:32Z

A new law regulating access for the first time for offspring of cloned animals to meat markets in Europe is heading for the dustbin, the European Union's current chair said Thursday.

A string of "Frankenfood" scares following the emergence of "non-traceable offspring" in the food chain in Britain and elsewhe...

EU wrestles with issue of food from cloned animals

2011-03-17T14:00:27Z

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - European Union governments and lawmakers remained deadlocked on how to regulate the production and sale of food from cloned animals, following all-night talks in Brussels that ended on Thursday morning.

EU sources said the remaining sticking point was a demand by l...

Are patent deals slowing cheaper drugs?

2011-01-17T13:00:09Z

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The EU regulator said on Monday it was pressing pharmaceutical companies for more information on their patent deals with generic companies to make sure there is no delay in cheaper drugs coming to market.

The move is the latest in a series of EU crackd...

UK watchdog adviser: Cloned cattle meat likely safe

2010-11-26T07:00:16Z

LONDON (Reuters) - Meat and milk from cloned cattle show no difference in composition from that of traditionally bred cows and so are unlikely to pose a food safety risk, an advisory committee to Britain's food safety regulator said.

The Advisory Comm...

No cloned steaks on EU plates

2010-10-19T09:31:04Z

"Cloning for food is not required" across the EU, European health commissioner John Dalli told a news conference. "There's no need for it."

The plan is to be published as legislative proposals next year but will need to be approved by EU governments and lawmakers.

It would enable cloning for uses other than food, such as research, conservation of endangered species or use of animals for the production of...

EU exec proposes ban on animal cloning for food

2010-10-22T13:29:37Z

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The European Union announced plans on Tuesday to temporarily ban the use of animal cloning for food production, while allowing imports of food derived from the offspring of clones from the United States

Pfizer to Acquire FoldRx Pharmaceuticals

2010-09-11T13:29:53Z

...

Commercial Insight: Antihormonal Cancer Therapies - Leading brands strive to minimize generic sales erosion now available at ReportsandReports

2010-09-09T20:08:21Z

Introduction

Antihormonal cancer therapies are a class of drugs used predominantly in the treatment of breast cancer and prostate cancer. The high incidence of these tumor types translates into a significant commercial potential for drug developers. Collectively, the antihormonal therapy cancer brands generated sales of about $7.0 billion in the seven major pharmaceutical markets in 2009.

Scope

* In-depth analysis of the current and futur...

Summary Box: Drugmakers post higher Q2 results

2010-07-22T15:15:24Z

Summary Box: Drugmakers post higher Q2 results, despite health reform, EU economic pressures

HEALTHY SIGNS: Three of the Top 20 drugmakers — Bristol-Myers Squibb Co., Roche Holding AG and BRUSSELS (Reuters) - A European Union court backed an EU antitrust decision against Anglo-Swedish drugmaker AstraZeneca Thursday, lending weight to a regulatory crackdown on firms blocking cheaper drugs coming to market.

Antitrust lawyers said th...

EU to allow nations to ban approved GM crops

2010-06-04T09:17:49Z

Individual EU nations will be free to ban genetically modified crops, even if they are deemed safe and approved, under rule changes being drawn up by Brussels to unblock the clearance process.

EU Health Commissioner John Dalli, in charge of the emotive dossier, will hand over plans to national capitals and the EU parliament ...

Drugmakers lose fight over cheap UK medicines

2010-04-22T05:45:14Z

LONDON (Reuters) - Drug companies have lost a legal battle against schemes promoted by Britain's state health service that encourage doctors to prescribe cheaper medicines.

The Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry ...

France blasts GM crop approvals by EU agency

2010-10-22T10:14:43Z

PARIS (Reuters) - Europe's food safety agency has used partial evidence to approve genetically modified crops, including a GM potato developed by BASF, and should overhaul its methods, a French environment minister said.

France has previously invoked environmental risks to suspend cult...

'Battle' on GM foods can't be won: EU official

2010-03-03T13:18:52Z

European Parliament President Jerzy Buzek said on Wednesday he was against genetically-modified foods but said they were an unavoidable part of the future.

Asked by students in Sofia whether he was against GM foods, after the EU approved their cultivation, he said: "I am, generally speaking, against because we do...

Fury as Brussels authorises GM potatoes

2010-03-03T08:16:18Z

The European Commission on Tuesday approved the cultivation of genetically-modified potatoes, prompting an angry response from environmental campaign groups and two EU member governments.

Austria said it was planning an immediate ban on the potatoes' cultivation, while It...

XM02

2010-10-24T15:17:51Z

...

Turns Out, Pfizer Was Also Questioned in EU On Generic Deals

2010-10-24T15:31:07Z

...

EU probes Danish drug maker for generic drug delay

2010-04-16T07:50:53Z

EU says it suspects Denmark's Lundbeck may have blocked launch of generic antidepressants

European Union regulators said Thursday that they suspect Danish drug maker Lundbeck may have delayed the launch of a cheaper, generic version of its antidepressant drug in

French body says Monsanto maize needs more study

2010-04-16T08:11:21Z

PARIS (Reuters) - More research is needed into Monsanto's genetically modified maize MON 810, the only biotech crop commercially grown in Europe, to assess its environmental impact, a French advisory body said.

The opinion given by biotech committee HCB, published on Tuesday, was requested by the French governm...

EU raids drug makers in antitrust probe

2010-04-16T08:32:50Z

European Union antitrust regulators said they made surprise raids on the offices of drug makers in several European nations Wednesday to seek evidence that they struck anticompetitive business deals or used a dominant market position to squeeze rivals.

They did not name the companies and said the raids were a preliminary step in an antitrust investigation. If they find the firms guilty, they can fine them up to 10 percent ...

EU Raids Drug Makers in Antitrust Probe

2010-10-24T10:10:25Z

...

Teva Announces the Submission of a Biologics License Application (BLA) for XM02 for the Treatment of Chemotherapy-Induced Neutropenia

2010-10-24T10:10:17Z

...

Chiesi Is Top Italian Pharmaceutical Group for Investment In Research

2010-10-24T10:10:08Z

...

EU approves Merck takeover of Schering-Plough

2010-04-16T09:41:21Z

The European Union approved Merck &amp; Co.'s proposed takeover of Schering-Plough, which would create the second-biggest global producer of prescription medicines.

The EU's antitrust authorities said in a statement Friday that the "transaction would not significantly impede effective competition" in EU approves proposed Merck, Schering-Plough tie-up, no competition worries in Europe

The European Union on Friday approved the proposed tie-up of U.S. drug makers Merck &amp; Co. and Schering-Plough Corp. which w...

EU favours big drug firms over people in need: NGOs

2010-04-16T09:44:39Z

The European Union is putting the interests of big drug companies ahead of those of millions of people without access to essential medicines, two non-governmental organisations said Tuesday.

The EU's executive arm, the European Commission, was also accused of acting against the spirit of world trade rules, in a new report by European Union farm ministers refused to give their seal of approval on Monday to plans to allow the import of genetically-modified maize from US growers, diplomats said.

During a meeting of European Union agriculture ministers in Luxembourg dominated by crisis in the dairy sector, nations were unable to agree on proposals to greenlight the latest batch of so-called 'Fran...

EU and Greenpeace row over safety of GM food

2010-04-16T09:49:37Z

The EU Commission stressed Thursday that health and environmental factors were foremost in approving genetically modified foodstuffs, while protesting farmers and environmentalists called for an outright ban.

"GMOs (genetically modified organisms) are one of the most sensitive dossiers on my desk," EU Health Commissioner Androulla Vassiliou sai...

Concern over UK firms ignorance of REACH

2010-10-22T12:23:07Z

...

Sanofi says doors 'wide open' to EU drugs probe

2010-10-22T07:47:07Z

...

EU raids drug makers on suspected antitrust abuse

2010-04-16T09:56:55Z

Drug makers Sanofi-Aventis SA, Novartis AG and Ratiopharm International GmbH said Wednesday that EU regulators had carried out surprise raids at their French offices as part of an antitrust probe.

The European Commission said.

The commission "can confirm that on October 6 commission officials started surprise inspections at the premises of certain companies active in the pharmaceutical industry," a statement said.

France's AMSTERDAM/BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Spanish authorities detected traces of unauthorized forms of genetically modified (GM) corn in U.S. soy shipments on August 25 and blocked the imports, a European Commission spokeswoman said on Friday.

Traces of corn vari...

GM crop trials start again in Britain in 'secret': report

2010-04-16T11:08:57Z

Genetically modified crops are being grown in Britain for the first time in 12 months after controversial trials were resumed without alerting the public, a newspaper reported Monday.

Cultivation of a field of potatoes designed to be resistant to pests was abandoned more than a year ago when environmental protesters ripped up the crop, the Daily Telegraph<...

EU warns of antitrust probes into drug makers

2010-06-11T20:18:15Z

The European Union warned Wednesday of a wave of antitrust investigations into major drugmakers, saying they were deliberately stalling cheaper generic versions of their own medicines once exclusive patents expire.

"Makers of original medicines are actively trying to delay the entry of generic medicines onto their markets," EU Competition Commissioner Neelie Kroes sai...

EU probes pharma industry over generic medicine concerns

2010-04-16T11:26:39Z

The European Union's competition regulator launched a probe into the pharmaceutical sector Wednesday over concerns that cheap generic medicines are not reaching patients in need.

The move came after a sector-wide report showed that the number of new drugs reaching the market annually had dropped by over a third since 2000 and that people are being deprived of innovative, affordable and safe medicine.

The competition ...

Delaying Generic Drugs Costs Patients & Taxpayers, EU Says

2010-10-24T09:57:10Z

...

GMO corn: France rejects report by EU food agency

2010-04-16T11:31:14Z

France on Friday rejected a report by the European Union's food safety watchdog that said a controversial strain of genetically-modified corn was safe.

In a joint statement, the French ecology and agriculture ministries said the Italy-based European Fo...

EU ministers leave open possibility of clone food

2010-04-16T11:41:32Z

EU farm ministers revived the row over 'Frankenfoods' Monday by retaining the possibility of cloned animal products being sold in Europe, despite scientific uncertainty and Green opposition.

Meeting in Luxembourg, the agriculture ministers agreed a set of new rules for the cloned products, included in the category of "novel food...

New Biological Therapy Ilaris Approved In US To Treat Children And Adults With CAPS, A Serious Life-Long Auto-Inflammatory Disease

2010-10-24T09:15:04Z

...

Artificial Microlungs Grown on Chips

2010-10-26T20:33:48Z

...

EU to examine Pfizer takeover of rival Wyeth

2010-04-16T12:00:03Z

The EU's competition services will examine US drug manufacturer Pfizer Inc's takeover of rival Wyeth, the largest pharmaceutical takeover deal in nearly a decade, the European Commission announced Tuesday.

The EU Commission will give its opinion on July 6 on whether the deal breaches European competit...

Germany bans GM maize: minister

2010-10-22T10:22:07Z

Germany said Tuesday it was banning a type of genetically-modified maize manufactured by US biotech giant Monsanto, the only GM crop permitted until now in the country.

Agriculture Minister Ilse Aigner told reporters she was outlawing the cultivation of MON 810 ma...

EU foiled in bid to force France, Greece to allow GM crop

2010-10-22T10:12:03Z

The European Commission was foiled Monday in its bid to force France and Greece to allow genetically modified maize from US biotech giant Monsanto to be grown in their fields.

Food chain experts from the

Sanofi Aventis wins EU OK to buy Zentiva

2010-04-16T14:52:26Z

France's Sanofi-Aventis SA must sell off medicines in eastern Europe to win EU antitrust approval to buy a Czech generic drug maker, the European Commission said Wednesday.

The French pharmaceutical com...

EU says drug makers blocked cheaper medicines

2010-04-16T14:06:09Z

EU says major pharmaceutical firms blocked sale of cheaper generic medicines to hike profits

European patients had to pay some euro3 billion ($3.87 billion) more for medicines in 2000-2007 because pharmaceutical companies deliberately stalled the sale of cheaper generic versions, EU antitrust regulators said Friday.

An investigation of major pharmaceutical companies — including EU antitrust regulators said Friday.

An investigation of major pharmaceutical companies — including Pfizer Inc., Glaxo...

EU threatens antitrust action against drugmakers

2010-04-16T14:06:17Z

EU Competition Commissioner Neelie Kroes threatened Friday to take antitrust action against drug companies that conspire to thwart European competition rules.

Unveiling preliminary findings from a sector-wide probe, she accused drug companies of blocking or delaying generic or more affordable medicines from coming to market, driving up costs for consumers and taxpayer...

EU panel OKs 2 genetically modified corn products

2010-10-22T10:10:19Z

EU food safety agency panel approves 2 genetically modified corn products

The European Union's food safety agency approved two genetically modified corns Friday, putting renewed pressure on EU nations to drop their objections to the use of biotech crops.

Scientists at the Parma, Italy-based EU authorities suspended sales of pharmaceutical giant Sanofi-Aventis' anti-obesity drug Acomplia across the continent Thursday, the firm announced, adding that it had not ruled out a worldwide halt.

"Sales have been halted in all the pharmacies in the 18 countries of the European Union where it is distributed,...

Health Highlights: Oct. 10, 2008

2010-10-23T16:01:23Z

...

Oct. 10, 2008

2010-10-23T19:04:07Z

...

Europeans have little appetite for Frankenfood: survey

2010-04-16T16:47:11Z

Europeans are generally opposed to meat from cloned animals, feeling not enough is known about the long-term effects of eating it, according to an EU survey published Thursday.

The Eurobarometer study showed that more than eight out of 10 EU consumers believe "we don't have enough experience about the long-term health and safety effects of using cloned animals for food" and that the long-term effects of cloning are unknown...

Oct. 9, 2008

2010-10-23T19:04:08Z

...

UPDATE 1-EU says Zentiva/Sanofi deal notification incomplete

2010-10-21T09:41:59Z

...

NHS drug bill faces EU threat

2010-04-16T13:18:56Z

The NHS's &amp;pound;11bn annual bill for drugs could soar if pharmaceutical companies are allowed to start pushing promotional 'information' about their products directly to patients, claim health and consumer groups.

The European Union will next month unveil plans to let drug firms use the media to give information about prescription-only medicines. But opponents argue the controversial proposals would come close...

GM debate: Cloned meat safe to eat says EU's food agency

2010-04-16T16:36:23Z

Beef and pork produced from healthy cloned cattle and pigs are as safe as meat from conventionally bred animals, the European Food Safety Authority said yesterday.

But the EU's food safety agency, giving its long-awaited final scientific opinion on animal cloning, said animals carrying cloned embryos, and their offspring, had signif...

EU food safety experts say NO to cloned meat

2010-10-21T10:19:25Z

...

EU expected to ban selling of cloned meat for food

2010-10-21T10:19:15Z

...

Ipsen: What It Costs To Buy Into North America

2010-10-21T08:56:43Z

...

EU widens scope of antitrust inquiry into pharmaceutical sector - report

2010-10-19T16:35:02Z

...

EU gives green light for cloned food to go on sale in UK shops

2010-10-16T19:41:30Z

...

EU, U.S. regulators ease process for orphan drugs

2010-10-23T02:39:15Z

...

Merck KGaA's cyanide antidote recommended by EU's CHMP expert panel

2010-10-15T14:58:56Z

...

Another Disappointing Quarter for Omrix Biopharmaceuticals

2010-10-15T09:33:42Z

...

GlaxoSmithKline's Recent Pricing Deals

2010-10-13T05:42:36Z

...

Hungary Power Politics

2010-12-29T06:30:59Z

FILE - In this Oct. 28, 2010 file photo, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban arrives for a EU summit in Brussels, Belgium. Hungary's democratic credentials are under scrutiny as it prepares to assume the EU presidency Saturday, with some crit...

Belgium Europe Financial Crisis

2010-12-23T09:30:49Z

Portugal's Prime Minister Jose Socrates arrives for an EU summit in Brussels, Friday, Dec. 17, 2010. European Union leaders are changing the treaty that underpins the bloc to make room for a huge new rescue system for countries that get into debt trouble in the long term. But they aren...

China EU

2010-12-20T22:00:14Z

European Commission Vice President in charge of competition policy, Joaquin Almunia, center, speaks at the 3rd EU-China High-level Economic and Trade Dialogue at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing on Tuesday Decem...

Europe Financial Crisis

2010-12-17T09:32:36Z

File - In this May 7, 2010 file photo French President Nicolas Sarkozy, center, meets with European Council President Herman Van Rompuy, left, and European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso, right, during an EU summit at the EU Counci...

Belgium EU Chocolate Rabbit

2010-12-17T03:31:56Z

FILE - In this March 15, 2006 file photo, chocolate rabbits from the Swiss chocolate maker Lindt & Spruengli are seen on display in Kilchberg, Switzerland. As of Friday, Dec. 17, 2010, chocolate rabbits, mice and reindeer remain free to roam, unshackled by trademarks, after the European Union's highest court ruled against chocolate producers that wanted to claim the dainty sweets as ...

News on European Union