Poland

UK prebiotic specialist Clasado Biociences is expanding across APAC and Eastern Europe through two recently-signed distribution deals: Alliance Nutrition Group’s Shanghai Prochin for China and BART in Poland.

Poland is slowly expanding beyond its position as a central European generics hub. More established companies are adding innovative medicine pipelines and a small number of biotechs are making international deals.  

J&J says it has “exhausted all current viable avenues” to get its antidepressant nasal spray Spravato reimbursed on England’s National Health Service, after NICE decided against re-appraising the drug following numerous funding rejections.

Around 800 pharmacies across Poland have signed up to offer women and girls access to the emergency contraceptive pill without the need to visit their doctor.

Adult immunization programs can save “billions” for society, but their value is underestimated because of challenges around measuring broader value evidence and a lack of incentives for companies to collect this data, says the Office of Health Economics.

Herbal and nutritional supplement direct seller has reached 85% solar power use at its US facilities while also reducing landfill waste from those sites more than 90%, cutting its US shipping routes by half and consolidating four distribution centers in Europe into one operating on wind power.

Citing a will to protect children's health, Poland's president has blocked a bill which would have restored OTC access to the morning after pill to those aged 15 and above. In response, the health ministry has drawn up a proposal to allow pharmacists to issue prescriptions for emergency contraception.

As Poland is ranked the worst country in Europe for contraception access by a group of EU parliamentarians, the country's government has voted through a bill which would make the morning after pill available without a prescription for the first time in more than six years.

Teva has struck a deal with USP in Poland that will see the Israeli company divest multiple consumer health brands. Meanwhile, Dexcel Pharma has acquired eight OTC brands from Teva in the UK.

Rockville, MD-based USP Group has strengthened its market leading OTC business in Poland with the acquisition of consumer health brands from Teva.

Haleon has launched in Europe nasal spray technology under the Otrivin brand that is the result of a seven year partnership with Aptar Pharma. Otrivin Nasal Mist’s design is a “significant improvement on other pump devices,” Haleon claims.

Europe's latest consumer health appointments: Bayer promotes Christian Sarto to lead Consumer Health in CEE; Haleon names Céline Camilleri as France general manger; and Stada hires Haleon's Nigel Stephenson to run its UK business.

The latest notified body listing brings total number of EU designated Medical Device Regulation testing and certification organizations to 35.

Ryvu has only about $7m in cash and equivalents but believes that a mixture of venture debt, milestones from partners and tapping the equity capital markets will provide the funds to advance RVU120 for acute myeloid leukemia and myelodysplastic syndrome.

Makers of oral care and grooming products, nutritional ingredient suppliers and packaging providers among Procter & Gamble’s 11 “Partner of the Year” award winners. International Flavors and Fragrances one of six winners in first year of “Supplier Sustainability Award.”

New designations of notified bodies under the Medical Device Regulation continue to trickle through slowly. The latest brings the EU’s total to 33, still way short of the previous 80 or so under the Medical Devices Directive.

Concerned that increasing numbers of consumers are using dietary supplements inappropriately, Poland's government is looking to strengthen its oversight of the products, particularly when it comes to advertising.

The latest designation of a notified body in the context of the MDR means that the EU only needs one more to make the landmark total of 30. It seems that this may be realized soon.

Poland becomes the first country in the world to allow erectile dysfunction treatment tadalafil to be bought without a prescription thanks to a successful Rx-to-OTC switch application from local player Adamed Pharma.

Solgar Polska has been hit with a fine in excess of PLN1.5m for colluding with retailers to set minimum prices for its dietary supplements over almost a decade. The company denies any wrongdoing and has vowed to appeal the judgment.