News by Subject Policy & Ethics

New study finds that between 1999 and 2014, only 25 new antibiotics entered the global market. The majority of antibiotics released in this time period originated from Japanese or US companies and were launched in Japan or the US. Of the 25 antibiotics, 18 treat community-acquired respiratory infections, 14 treat skin infections, and 12 treat urinary infections. Half treat infections caused by resistant bacteria, but none targeted Gram-negative bacteria, which cause most untreatable infections.

Research carried out at the University of York has suggested that more work is needed to show that digital forensic methods are robust enough to stand-up to interrogation in a court of law.

The development, manufacture and sale of pharmaceutical drugs in the United States is a complex landscape of intellectual property and federal regulation. The status quo of the US pharmaceutical market may soon be turned on its head. That's due in part to a growing community of do-it-yourself 'biohackers' who are disrupting business-as-usual for pharmaceutical discovery, development and distribution.

Methodology developed by Brazilian scientists uses big data tools, has been validated in an analysis of studies on hemophilia, and can also be used to search for partnerships and technology transfer opportunities.

A team at NYU Tandon School of Engineering has found a way to prove the provenance of 3-D printed parts by embedding QR (Quick Response) codes in an innovative way for unique device identification. In the latest issue of Advanced Engineering Materials, the researchers describe converting QR codes into 3-D features so that that they neither compromise the part's integrity nor announce themselves to counterfeiters who have the means to reverse engineer the part.

A new analysis examines how changes in innovation within firms and a shortage of human capital in the United States in the fields of software and IT have driven US multinational companies to establish and expand new innovation hubs abroad.

PharmaMar has presented today how crossover has had an influence on the overall survival of the ADMYRE trial. The impact on overall survival of those patients that relapsed after receiving dexamethasone as a single agent and who were subsequently treated with plitidepsin in combination with dexamethasone was analyzed. Of the 84 patients treated from the comparator arm -- dexamethasone as a single agent -- 44 percent, 37 patients were treated with the combination with plitidepsin thereafter.

A group of 21 physician leaders published a comprehensive proposal to ensure universal access to safe, innovative, and affordable medications. Published today in the British Medical Journal (BMJ), 'Healing an ailing pharmaceutical system: prescription for reform for the US and Canada,' identifies seven critical areas for reform, along with both short- and long-term solutions to improve the development, approval process, affordability, and marketing of medications.