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No one who cares about global health can be happy with a system that only "eventually" delivers drugs and vaccines for the planet's neediest people

The pharma industry has come a long way since Hurricane Katrina when it comes to disaster planning. Now, with experts predicting an influenza pandemic, companies have a chance to prepare systems before a crisis happens.

Big name patent expirations may be looming, but that's not stopping pharma companies from filing - and getting approved for - dozens of new patents. Pharm Exec looks at which companies are getting the most approvals, and how 2008 compared to previous years.

Astellas bumped its bid for CV Therapeutics to $1 billion, but analysts doubt the offer is high enough to get the biotech's board of directors to sign on the dotted line.

Pfizer hit hard with the surprise purchase of Wyeth. But will the pharma giant strike out in the long run? Analysts ponder the long and short-term ramifications of this monster acquisition.

As pharmaceutical companies look to emerging markets to offset slowed growth at home, success will depend on efficient re-use of regulatory content to target new high-growth markets.

To increase impact and effectiveness, personalized Web sites should be constructed in different ways to interact with multiple audiences.

A new study suggests the medical professionals are more active on social networking sites than ever before. With the rise of doctor-specific Web 2.0 outlets, pharma has a new tool for reaching elusive physicians. The best part: Doctors don?t seem to mind.

Reflector casts doubt on European pharma's vision for further communication between the industry and its patients.

Economic Development promo sheet 2

Economic Development Sample

Although stem cell research has sparked controversy for years, Osiris Therapeutics has been flying under the radar for a decade with a revolutionary secret.

The Tamiflu-resistant flu strain means increased sales for GSK's Relenza, but doesn't mean the end for the number-one antiviral.

Sales reps aren't the only ones heading for the unemployment line - Pfizer is eliminating researcher positions as fewer drugs are making it to development. But could streamlining the crux of drug R&D cause more harm than good?

Merck isn't bragging about the positive data it received regarding the use of its landmark HPV vaccine in men. But the pharma giant also isn't wasting time submitting the info to FDA. Pharm Exec talked to the lead investigator behind the trials to find out why this could be another milestone for Merck.

One week into the new year, and word is trickling out that some large advertising firms are gearing up for heavy cuts. First out the gate is WPP, which is expected to be cutting thousands of jobs.

With the departure and retirement of two-thirds of Donahoe Purohit Miller, the middle child has rebranded itself Purohit Navigation and is going after the pharma market as a one-stop-shop for all its branding needs.

HBA Endorsement letter

How hopeful are execs about the future of their own companies and the industry in general?

The headlines are about layoffs, but some segments of pharma are still hiring. Pay, meanwhile, tightens.

It's just the way life works: You're always crossing the bridge before you get to it-or after it's gone

Will more resourches and new leadership fix FDA, or is a major overhaul in order?

Consumer pharma marketers are going to have to be a little more careful when using celebrity spokespeople or actors playing physicians. PhRMA has updated its rules and the consensus is clear - if you are paying for promotion, it must be noted in the ad.

Forget putting a cap on how much a gift to doctors should cost, the state of Massachusetts is considering outlawing everything from pens to meals - and don't even think about handing out free tickets to next week's Red Sox game.

At its annual business briefing, Merck surprised analysts with the announcement that it would be launching a new business in the biologics sector in an effort to create generic biotech drugs.

It's beginning to look a lot like layoffs. Lilly and Sanofi-Aventis announce sales rep cuts amid an economic downturn and the holiday season.

The already crowded health portal market will get a bit tighter with the addition of myOptumHealth.com. But unlike the other WebMDs of the world (wide Web), Optum comes with a built-in base of 60 million users and the muscle of the UnitedHealth Group.

The Federal Trade Commission is tightening the rules for who is a paid endorser and what advertisers need to disclose about them. Look for new transparency on payment and new language to replace "your mileage may vary."

To expand health coverage amid an economic crisis, Obama will be looking hard for ways to cut costs

Maybe what you're feeling isn't impending doom. Maybe it's just growing pains.