With sales of its respiratory drugs doing well, GlaxoSmithKline has been spending hundreds of millions of dollars to expand manufacturing of several kinds of inhalers. But a glitch at one of its Ventolin inhaler plants has resulted in recalling nearly 600,000 units in the U.S.
A recall of potentially malfunctioning EpiPens that Mylan first announced for Europe, Japan and Asia has now gone global, including the U.S., with the company retrieving tens of thousands more. Mylan, however, says it has plenty of replacements to avoid any interruptions in supply.
In Tijuana, Mexico, the North American Free Trade Agreement has transformed this sprawling and gumptious border town from a gritty party spot to something entirely different: a world capital of medical devices.
Companies of all kinds try to present their financial results in the best light possible to attract investors. One segment of the drug industry is bucking that trend, using an accounting method that narrows its profit margins.
Analyst Insight: In today's unpredictable pharmaceutical business climate, supply chains must be synchronized to deliver adequate supply to capture new sales while reducing costs. This is a classic case of balancing risk and opportunity, whereby synchronization allows all required parties to operate in a coordinated and flexible manner resulting in seamless delivery to the customers. Getting this right can drive millions of dollars in value, and there are ways to do this today. - Jay Welsh, principal, Ernest & Young LLP, and Srihari Rangarajan, manager, Ernst & Young LLP
Analyst Insight: Drug Supply Chain Security Act (DSCSA) requirements for serialization, verification and traceability are driving investments in distribution. But leaders are looking beyond compliance for real ROI and competitive advantage. They are looking at different applications and new technologies that enable compliance and allow the business the flexibility to scale with increasing return on additional investment. - Roger Counihan, life sciences industry leader, Fortna Inc.