A new study by West Health and Gallup revealed that Americans are concerned with potential negative developments resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. Nearly 90% of the 1,016 U.S. adults surveyed between May 11, 2020, and May 22, 2020, said they are “very” (55%) or “somewhat” (33%) concerned that the pharmaceutical industry will leverage the ongoing…
HHS spending $347m to boost supply of COVID-19 vaccine, treatment vials
The U.S. Dept. of Health & Human Services (HHS) and Dept. of Defense (DoD) announced a joint effort to increase manufacturing for vials earmarked for COVID-19-related drugs and vaccines. The Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), as part of HHS, collaborated with DoD to provide funding for U.S.-based companies Corning Inc. and SiO2 Materials…
Canada orders 37 million syringes from BD in anticipation of COVID-19 vaccine
Canada reportedly signed a contract to purchase 37 million syringes from Becton Dickinson (NYSE:BDX) in preparation for a potential COVID-19 vaccine. A report in The Record revealed that Public Services & Procurement Minister Anita Anand said the country made a purchase order from the Canadian branch of BD in an effort to make sure Canada is ready for…
Phlow lands $354m government contract for COVID-19 medications
Phlow announced today that it received $354 million in U.S. government funding to manufacture essential medicines at risk of shortage, including those involved in the COVID-19 pandemic response. Richmond, Va.–based Phlow’s manufacturing is being funded by the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), part of the office of Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR)…
Jefferies offers $10 million to jumpstart emergency drug packaging initiative
Jefferies Financial Group announced today that it is the first private-sector company to support a newly established public-private consortium launched by the U.S. Dept. of Health & Human Services (HHS). HHS launched the program last week, announcing that it joined with ApiJect Systems America to create a high-volume “surge” of drug packaging solution in the…
Clariant’s Mevopur ProTect O2 scavenger could extend shelf life of pharma packaging
Clariant Plastics & Coatings Healthcare Polymer Solutions announced that it is adding an oxygen-scavenging additive masterbatch to its Mevopur line of materials and services for pharmaceutical packaging and medical devices. The Mevopur ProTect is designed to limit oxygen degradation of drugs and neutraceuticals that are stored in polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles, even in a transparent…
Drug deactivation system helps N.J. pharmacies comply with new anti-overdose law
Verde Environmental Technologies announced that it launched four new retail products with its Deterra system in compliance with New Jersey’s “Charlie’s Law” that requires every pharmacy practice site in the state to provide effective options for consumers to dispose of unused, unwanted or expired medications. The law requires pharmacies to carry effective drug disposal methods…
ASLS wins Frost & Sullivan bioprinting award
Advanced Solutions Life Sciences announced that it won the Frost & Sullivan 2019 Bioprinting Value Leadership Award for demonstrating best-in-class biofabrication, hardware, software and consulting services. Last month’s award highlights global consultancy firm Frost & Sullivan’s view that ASLS develops unique and cost-effective solutions to advance the development of life-saving drugs by way of 3D bioprinting,…
How Stäubli and ARxIUM collaborated on pharma automation
ARxIUM is collaborating with Stäubli for its TX-60L UL robot to enhance the effectiveness of pharmacy operations by improving the safety and accuracy of IV admixture compounding. The collaboration particularly aids ARxIUM’s RIVA fully automated IV compounding system used by hospital pharmacies to prepare IV syringes and bags. It is designed to address safety for the…