HealthDot Pharma Report - June 1, 2007
In Episode III of the HealthDot Pharma Report we focus on black market medicines that lead to death, Mylan Laboratories’ acquisition of Merck’s generics unit, the (over) medication of US children and wrap it all up with a trip to Las Vegas and a conversation with Pharma Blogger John Mack.
Blackmarket Poisons
As has been reported, diethylene glycol was exported from China to Panama and killed over 360 people when it was mixed with medicine.
Eight mass poisonings such as this have occurred over the past 20 years and the death toll leads directly to companies in China where 3 out of the last 4 cases originated. The Chinese companies marketed their poison as 99.5% pure glycerin, the real ingredient used in cough syrups, toothpaste, food and other products.
Mergers and Acquisitions
Mergers and acquisitions’ the name of the game in the global generic drugs business as companies seek increased scale and geographical reach.
With that in mind, Mylan Laboratories is buying Merck’s generics business to for approximately $6.6 billion in cash.
Merck’s generics unit is number 4 in the world with 2006 sales of $2.43 billion but, according to Merck Chief Executive Karl-Ludwig Kley, the company is looking to focus its resources on further growth with its pharmaceutical and chemicals business sectors.
Mylan Chief Executive Robert Coury calls the purchase a “one-of-a-kind opportunity“ and says that the shear size of the new generics unit will allow Mylan to achieve immediate scale to compete in the global generics pharmaceutical space.
Medicated Children
If children are our future our future’s a medicated lot.
A study conducted by Medco Health Inc shows that the number of adolescent girls taking drugs for Type 2 diabetes has nearly tripled, while use of chronic medicines for psychotic behavior and insomnia roughly doubled among boys and girls.
The 2001 - 2006 study looked at 370,000 insured children aged 10 - 19.
Tom’s Real-time Thoughts While Editing the Video Late at Night
Why doesn’t Michael hold still in front of the damn screen? All he has to do is say the lines and stand there, but he’s sashaying left and right like it’s prom night.
Oh, s***, this deadline’s coming up fast.
Why does Photoshop keep crashing? Reboot the computer, again…
Terry Gilliam is a genius. Must keep animating.
How to make Pharma policy fun? Fire! Fire and pills! More pills! Reboot the computer.
Oh, s***, this deadline’s coming up fast…
Discussion
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