Sanofi and Merck link up to form animal health giant

As big pharma looks to sustain growth as big-selling drugs go off-patent, Sanofi-Aventis and Merck & Co have said they are combining their animal health units in a move that will create a global leader in that field

GSK eyes more deals in India

GlaxoSmithKline is looking to strengthen its position in India but favours alliances rather than acquisitions

Germany “to break pharma price monopoly"

German Health Minister Philipp Roesler is expected tomorrow (March 10) to announce plans to reform the branded pharmaceutical market, including a requirement that drugmakers must negotiate prices for their new drugs with the public health insurers, or accept fixed price ceilings if they fail to reach agreement.

Exelixis cuts workforce by 40% and XenoPort halves staff

The USA’s Exelixis is the latest company to slash jobs in a bid to keep its head above water and the biotech firm says it is focusing its resources on three late-stage compounds

Genmab shares sink as cancer drug fails in Phase III study

Shares in Genmab have taken a bashing after the company said that a late-stage trial of zalutumumab in head and neck cancer failed to meet its main goal.

Recession will slow down NHS reform, says report

Economic challenges mean future reform of the NHS will likely take place slowly, with huge projects put on the back burner, a report has claimed.

Poor NHS IT systems affecting patient care, say ministers

Patients are missing out on better care and treatment because of shortfalls in NHS computing systems, MSPs have said.

New women's health unit set for Manchester opening

A health unit for women is to be opened at the University Hospital of South Manchester.

Ministers launch campaign to promote hepatitis C testing

The Scottish Government has created a new scheme encouraging people at risk of hepatitis C virus to come forward for testing.

Maternity units warning over 'illegal' umbilical cord blood collection

The collection of umbilical cord blood to preserve stem cells could be illegal, maternity units and private practices have been warned.

Gordon Brown promises more central role for nursing

The prime minister Gordon Brown said today that recommendations made by his commission on nursing will influence not just the development of nursing and the health service, but also the way public services are seen in the future.

'Full' hospitals treating patients in non-clinical areas

Patients are routinely being treated in areas of hospitals not designed for care, a Nursing Times survey has revealed.

Doctors' diabetes prescriptions should be checked by nurses, says research

Nurses’ role in ensuring that prescriptions for diabetics are correct has been highlighted by new research

Cross-party MPs back RCN specialist nursing campaign

Specialist nursing provision for long-term conditions is being backed by MPs from all the main political parties following an RCN campaign.

Ann Keen and Christine Beasley defend nursing pledge

Health minister Ann Keen has defended the pledge that nurses will be asked to take following the report of the Prime Minister’s Commission on the Future of Nursing and Midwifery in England.