Johnson & Johnson to stop making talc-based baby powder globally
Company has faced lawsuits about its talc products but insists they are safe Johnson & Johnson is to stop selling and making talc-based baby powder […]
US news
Walgreens played ‘substantial’ role in San Francisco opioid crisis, judge finds
The pharmacy chain failed to properly investigate suspicious opioid orders, according to federal ruling Walgreens “substantially contributed” to San Francisco’s opioid epidemic by failing to […]
Distributors didn’t fuel opioid epidemic in West Virginia, judge rules
Doctors’ ‘good faith’ prescribing decisions drove volume of painkillers shipped to pharmacies, says district judge David Faber The US’s three largest pharmaceutical distributors were not […]
Pharmacies reportedly set a purchase limit on emergency contraception pills
Walmart, CVS and Rite Aid – as well as Amazon – have all set caps on the number of morning-after pills people can purchase Pharmacy […]
Pfizer to offer low-cost medicines to 45 lower-income countries
Firm launches ‘healthier world’ accord in Davos and speaks to other drugmakers about similar steps Pfizer has announced it is to supply all its current […]
‘Pharma Bro’ Martin Shkreli released from prison early
After his company acquired Daraprim, it raised price of the life-saving drug by 5,000%, prompting national outcry Martin Shkreli, the “Pharma Bro” entrepreneur who astronomically […]
Johnson & Johnson shareholders called on to end talc baby powder sales
Resolutions to be voted on at shareholder meeting including stopping global sales of product and racial justice audit Women’s health groups are calling on healthcare […]
Johnson & Johnson ordered to pay $302m over pelvic mesh implant ads
California court rules that company made misleading and potentially harmful statements in hundreds of thousands of ads A California appeals court has upheld a lower […]
GSK to buy US cancer drug developer amid pressure from activist investor
GlaxoSmithKline’s £1.5bn Sierra Oncology deal comes after pressure to boost its pipeline from Elliott The UK drug company GlaxoSmithKline has agreed a £1.5bn deal to […]
The woman who turned down her share of a $6bn settlement to fight the family behind the opioid crisis
Ellen Isaacs is intent on holding Purdue Pharma and the Sacker family to account – for the deaths of her son and many thousands of […]
Test to Treat: pharmacists say Biden’s major new Covid initiative won’t work
Program to facilitate access to antivirals will have a limited impact because pharmacists are restricted from prescribing the pills A major new Biden administration initiative […]
Ted West obituary
My friend Ted West, who has died aged 100, was one of the few Britons – possibly even the only one – to have served […]
Purdue Pharma owners willing to pay up to $6bn to settle opioid suits
Members of Sackler family would contribute sum over 18 years under latest proposal Members of the Sackler family who own OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma, maker […]
Johnson & Johnson faces push to force global ban on talc baby powder sales
Move to hold shareholder vote follows withdrawal of product in US and Canada and lawsuits alleging link to cancer cases The healthcare company Johnson & […]
Native American tribes reach $590m settlements over opioids devastation
Filing involves Johnson & Johnson and three big distributors as attorney general for eight states and DC close to deal with Purdue Native American tribes […]
Martin Shkreli barred from drug industry and fined $64.6m by US court
Friday ruling came after FTC and seven states brought a case against Shkreli, nicknamed the ‘Pharma Bro’ Martin Shkreli, the pharmaceutical entrepreneur vilified for astronomically […]
Covid pills are ‘very promising’ – but what are the challenges in using them?
Paxlovid and molnupiravir were authorized by the US FDA last week, but supplies of Paxlovid are limited while molnupiravir is less effective than hoped An […]
More options for Covid treatments in January as FDA approves two antiviral pills
The approval comes as reports of shortages in monoclonal antibody treatment arise and cases spike People at greater risk of becoming seriously ill from Covid-19 […]
UK, EU and US ‘get more Covid vaccines in six weeks than Africa has all year’
Analysis from People’s Vaccine Alliance highlights gulf as it calls for dose recipes to be shared Coronavirus – latest updates See all our coronavirus coverage […]
FDA expected to approve Covid treatment pills within days
Agency will give go-ahead for Pfizer and Merck to launch groundbreaking oral treatments perhaps this week US federal regulators are expected to approve the first […]
US sanctions Chinese drugmakers amid addiction epidemic
Biden administration targets four chemical companies and man said to be world’s leading producer of anabolic steroids The US has imposed sanctions on Chinese painkiller […]
Don’t strip the Sackler name from museums. It’s a visceral reminder of human greed
New York’s Metropolitan Museum has cut public ties with the Purdue Pharma opioid-crisis family. But its name is now as thought-provoking as much of the […]
US author to give away £10,000 prize cash over role of sponsor in opioid crisis
Investigative reporter Patrick Radden Keefe will give money from business book of the year shortlisting to charity over involvement of McKinsey firm The American writer […]
Johnson & Johnson to spin off consumer arm to focus on medical division
Shake-up is the biggest in healthcare company’s 135-year history and follows similar moves by rivals Healthcare giant Johnson & Johnson is to spin off its […]
Pfizer Covid pills highly effective at preventing deaths, trial suggests
Antiviral pill taken at home can cut rate of hospital admission and death by nearly 90%, says drugmaker Coronavirus – latest updates See all our […]
Big Pharma has a powerful new shill, Kyrsten Sinema, fighting drug price reform | Andrew Perez and David Sirota
In the 2020 election cycle, pharmaceutical political action committees suddenly funneled more money to her than they did the whole six years she served in […]
Pfizer asks US to allow Covid vaccines for children ages five to 11
Jabs could begin within weeks if US government approves request, with children getting a third of dose given to adults Pfizer asked the US government […]
Henrietta Lacks’ estate sues drug company that sold her cells
Lacks’s estate is asking Thermo Fisher to pay back the full profits gained over 70 years of using her cells without consent The estate of […]
Coronavirus treatments: the potential ‘game-changers’ in development
After positive clinical trials for antiviral drug Molnupiravir, it joins other medicines that have shown promise Coronavirus – latest updates See all our coronavirus coverage […]
Welsh scientist makes potential $539m fortune from biotech flotation in US
Value of Andrew Hopkins’ Exscientia firm reaches market value of $2.9bn in Nasdaq IPO A Welsh scientist who dreamed up his artificial intelligence biotech company […]
Covid-19 vaccines: the contracts, prices and profits
Raised charges and Covax deals on order books of Pfizer, BioNTech, Moderna and AstraZeneca Coronavirus – latest updates See all our coronavirus coverage Two US […]
Carlyle ups bid for inhaler firm Vectura, trumping tobacco giant Philip Morris
Offer for UK company from Marlboro cigarettes maker had alarmed medical experts US private equity firm Carlyle has made an improved £958m takeover offer for […]
US officials call for more data on vaccine boosters as Pfizer pushes for third shot
• Pharma company presses case with senior health officials • WHO urges priority for nations with low Covid vaccination rates Pfizer, the pharmaceutical company that […]
Pfizer pushes for booster shots as WHO says greed is driving vaccine disparities
• Pharmaceutical company seeks FDA approval for third dose • Companies urged to instead prioritise less wealthy countries After a sharp increase in US Covid […]
FDA calls for investigation into its contacts with Alzheimer’s drug maker
• Acting commissioner refers agency to inspector general • Biogen Inc’s drug Aduhelm controversially approved last month The US drug regulator has called for an […]
‘Johnson & Johnson helped fuel this fire’ – now it’s out of the opioids business
Whether the pharmaceutical giant jumped or was pushed, its New York deal is a significant sign of the way the wind is blowing Johnson & […]
US drugmaker Regeneron under fire for ‘excessive’ payouts to executives
Advisory groups questioned whether the upfront payouts were in the best interests of shareholders The US drugmaker Regeneron, whose Covid treatment was hailed as a […]
Ronald Cresswell obituary
Pharmaceutical researcher with a flair for business who brought a string of vital drugs to market In 1960 the chemist Ronald Cresswell, who has died […]
Helen Murray Free obituary
Chemist who transformed medical screening by developing glucose dipsticks In the 1950s the US chemist Helen Murray Free, who has died aged 98, was responsible […]
Moderna jab stops Covid transmission in people aged 12 to 18, trial finds
Moderna becomes second manufacturer to announce successful trial results in younger people Coronavirus – latest updates See all our coronavirus coverage Mass vaccination of children […]
Delay in giving second jabs of Pfizer vaccine improves immunity
Study finds antibodies against Sars-CoV-2 three-and-a-half times higher in people vaccinated again after 12 weeks rather than three Coronavirus – latest updates See all our […]
How US companies could use patients’ data from Covid vaccine drive
Privacy advocates warn retail pharmacies in particular are blurring the line between public health and commerce Data rights organizations have warned that patients lack a […]
The Guardian view on waiving Covid vaccine patents: protect the world, not big pharma | Editorial
The US is now backing plans that could help billions more access vaccines. The UK should follow suit The rapid emergence of Covid vaccines has […]
US support for Covid vaccine patent waivers puts pressure on EU and UK
Analysis: Joe Biden’s support for idea is vital but it won’t happen without backing of other rich nations Coronavirus – latest updates See all our […]
Pfizer forecasts $26bn from annual sales of Covid-19 vaccine
Vaccine will generate 73% more than forecast based on contracts signed until mid-April Coronavirus – latest updates See all our coronavirus coverage US drugmaker Pfizer […]
AstraZeneca revenues up as it delivers jab to 120 countries via Covax
Quarterly results from Anglo-Swedish producer of Covid vaccine show better-than-expected 15% rise Coronavirus – latest updates See all our coronavirus coverage AstraZeneca has generated $275m […]
Emergent chief sold $10m in stock before company ruined 15m Covid vaccines
Stock unloaded by Robert G Kramer would now be worth only $5.5m while FDA report found unsanitary conditions at plant Coronavirus – live news The […]
Pfizer finds Covid vaccine safe and effective for children 12 to 15
Drug firm in partnership with BioNTech to seek US approval after trials found vaccine ‘well-tolerated’ in school-age children Pfizer plans to seek emergency approval for […]
GSK fires former US vaccine chief Moncef Slaoui over harassment allegation
Drugmaker dismisses former research boss from role at Galvani Bioelectronics GSK has dismissed its former research boss Moncef Slaoui, who became US national vaccine chief […]
US agency questions AstraZeneca’s Covid vaccine trial data
Drug firm may have provided incomplete view of efficacy data from US trial, says safety monitor Coronavirus – latest updates See all our coronavirus coverage […]
Purdue Pharma unveils $10bn opioid settlement plan to exit from bankruptcy
Plan is backed by $4bn from Sackler family Most parties onboard but Democratic attorneys general oppose Purdue Pharma is proposing a $10bn plan to emerge […]
Purdue Pharma unveils $10bn opioid settlement plan to exit from bankruptcy
Plan is backed by $4bn from Sackler family Most parties onboard but Democratic attorneys general oppose Purdue Pharma is proposing a $10bn plan to emerge […]
Johnson & Johnson one-shot Covid vaccine gets nod from FDA advisory panel
Vaccine, along with those from Pfizer and Moderna, should provide US with more than enough supply to vaccinate every person The battle against Covid-19 took […]
Moderna forecasts $18bn in sales of Covid vaccine this year
Better than expected revenues will push US firm founded in 2010 into profit for first time Coronavirus – latest updates See all our coronavirus coverage […]
Bezos is handing over fronting Amazon, but not his grip on his creation | Nils Pratley
The Amazon founder gains time for other projects, such as space and newspapers, while still making the big decisions Jeff Bezos is stepping aside at […]
GameStop’s dizzying share price rise means it’s game over for the short-sellers | Nils Pratley
The retailer has gone from $19 to $33o thanks in part to amateurs taking on the hedge funds If you find trading bitcoin insufficiently hair-raising, […]
Pharmaceutical giants not ready for next pandemic, report warns
Ten of the world’s most infectious diseases identified by the WHO not being catered for by drug firms The world’s biggest pharmaceutical firms are little […]
EU’s Covid vaccination debacle is down to institutional inflexibility
Supply delays underline there was no legal or economic justification for central planning A storm is raging over the EU’s failure to have ordered more […]
Analysis: is it wise for England to mix and match Covid vaccines?
US experts warn against plan to give different second jab if supplies run low Coronavirus – latest updates See all our coronavirus coverage The UK […]
British American Tobacco wins approval to test Covid vaccine on humans
Treatment grown on tobacco plants gets US backing for clinical study Coronavirus – latest updates See all our coronavirus coverage British American Tobacco has moved […]
AstraZeneca shares slump after it agrees $39bn Alexion buyout
Britain’s biggest drugmaker offers 45% premium for shares of US rare diseases specialist AstraZeneca shares fell sharply after it agreed to a $39bn (£29bn) takeover […]
Covid vaccines: US regulator sceptical over AstraZeneca model
Vaccine developed in Oxford criticised by FDA with efficacy rates and trials delaying official take-up Coronavirus – latest updates See all our coronavirus coverage For […]
FDA: Pfizer Covid vaccine data fits with guidance on emergency authorization
Comments raise hopes that the vaccine could soon be available to Americans aged 16 and above US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) staff said on […]
BioNTech’s Covid vaccine is a triumph of innovation and immigration | Hans-Werner Sinn
Pioneered by a Turkish-German couple, its significance exceeds its practical value The world took note when the German startup BioNTech announced its breakthrough in the […]
Will everyone in the world have access to a Covid vaccine? – video explainer
The hunt for a coronavirus vaccine is showing promise but it is premature to say the end of the pandemic is nigh. Several rich countries have signed […]
Purdue Pharma pleads guilty to criminal charges related to US opioid crisis
OxyContin maker admits to actions aimed at boosting opioid prescriptions, including conspiring to defraud officials and offering illegal kickbacks Purdue Pharma pleaded guilty to criminal […]
First Americans may get Covid vaccine in December if US approves Pfizer request
Pharmaceutical partners submitted bid to the FDA for vaccine to be reviewed and emergency authorization may occur within weeks It could take as little as […]
Moderna Covid vaccine candidate almost 95% effective, trials show
US-based biotech firm is latest to reveal impressive results from phase 3 trials of jab Coronavirus – latest updates See all our coronavirus coverage The […]
BioNTech vaccine scientist says jab could halve Covid transmission
Uğur Şahin ‘very confident’ vaccine candidate developed with Pfizer will cause big reduction in cases Coronavirus – latest updates See all our coronavirus coverage The […]
FTSE 100 recovers to highest level since June after vaccine unveiled
Promising clinical data from Pfizer and BioNTech help the index to a £28bn one-day gain Optimism that a mass rollout of Covid-19 vaccines will lead […]
Global markets: winners and losers as Covid vaccine hopes send shares surging
But the news highlighted divergences in fortunes across sectors during the pandemic Global stock markets surge after Pfizer Covid vaccine news Nils Pratley: ‘A great […]
Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine announcement is cause for cautious celebration
Interim trial results are encouraging as scientists welcome news Coronavirus – latest updates See all our coronavirus coverage It is not yet the end of […]
Johnson & Johnson pauses Covid vaccine trial over participant’s ‘unexplained illness’
Company is unclear about whether patient was receiving vaccine or placebo in 60,000-patient study Johnson & Johnson has paused its Covid-19 vaccine trial due to […]
Demand surges for Regeneron drug that Trump claims ‘cures’ Covid-19
Doctors say patients are seeking to participate in drug’s trials as Regeneron’s stock soar after president touts treatment Doctors are reporting a spike in enquiries […]
Provider of Trump Covid drug is president’s golf friend
Link to drug company boss raises questions about ‘cure’ claims and exclusive access Coronavirus – latest updates See all our coronavirus coverage New questions have […]
Trump’s steroid Covid treatment adds to confusion over health
Dexamethasone ‘normally reserved for people going into respiratory failure’, says expert Trump coronavirus treatment – live updates The latest intervention from Donald Trump’s medical team […]
Anti-Covid treatments being given to Trump are still unproven, say experts
Neither remdesivir nor REGN-COV2 have completed large-scale randomised trials, say UK scientists Coronavirus – latest updates See all our coronavirus coverage Scientists still lack conclusive […]
Katie Porter lambasts big pharma over cancer drug price hike using whiteboard calculations – video
US representative Katie Porter used her now-signature whiteboard as she questioned former Celgene CEO Mark Alles over the connection between the significant price hike for Revlimid, […]
Why did the US justice department let Purdue off the hook for the opioid crisis? | Maggie Hassan and Sheldon Whitehouse
Prosecutors believed Purdue was implicated in mail and wire fraud, money laundering, and conspiracy. Yet the firm got a slap on the wrist The opioid […]
Oleandrin: Trump allies pitch extract from poisonous plant to fight Covid
Experts raise concern over compound that has not been proven safe but could reach public as dietary supplement Allies of Donald Trump have promoted a […]
Oxford University Covid-19 vaccine firm denies Trump talks
AstraZeneca says it has not discussed ‘emergency use authorisation’ with the US Coronavirus – latest updates See all our coronavirus coverage The company manufacturing the […]
Purdue Pharma escaped serious charges over opioid in 2006, memo shows
A justice department document shows prosecutors recommended the OxyContin face wire fraud and money-laundering charges A Department of Justice internal memorandum obtained by the Guardian […]
Trump has no problem letting billionaires profit off the pandemic | Robert Reich
The president thinks that as long as they buoy the stock market, they’re helping the US economy – and that’s pure rubbish Since the start […]
Covid-19: Gilead Sciences urged to study drug that showed promise with cats
Activists accuse company of pushing remdesivir to boost profit GS-441524 has been used to treat a coronavirus in cats Coronavirus – latest global updates Activists […]
Activists see Purdue bankruptcy case as last chance to call Sacklers to account
The family behind the firm that made OxyContin denies wrongdoing – but numerous cases against them have been halted while a court deliberates With most […]
Jonathan Sackler, joint owner of opioid maker Purdue Pharma, dies aged 65
Former pharmaceutical executive died of cancer on 30 June Sackler was named as defendant in key opioid lawsuits Jonathan Sackler, one of the owners of […]
WHO says trials show malaria and HIV drugs don’t cut Covid-19 hospital deaths
Hydroxychloroquine and lopinavir/ritonavir not found to help patients in hospital Coronavirus – latest updates See all our coronavirus coverage The World Health Organization (WHO) said […]
US secures world stock of key Covid-19 drug remdesivir
No other country will be able to buy remdesivir, which can help recovery from Covid-19, for next three months at least Coronavirus – latest US […]
