Data and Artificial Intelligence

The electronic pedigree mandate for prescription drugs has been delayed again. California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed legislation that delays ePedigree implementation until 2015.

Also, Merck & Co. discontinues development of its obesity drug taranabant; Synthetech names Frederic Farkas director of manufacturing; more...

Several strategies and software applications help pharmaceutical companies integrate their manufacturing execution systems and enterprise resource planning systems.

Pharmaceutical companies want software vendors to make integrating manufacturing execution systems and enterprise resource planning systems easier.

Industry needs a standard to connect systems and equipment sooner rather than later.

Advancements add yet another challenge for industry's already overextended regulatory body.

Brief pharmaceutical news items for October 2008.

Can previous trends of Democratic and Republican administrations predict industry's future?

Also, Alpharma advises shareholders to reject King's offer; ImClone rejects raised BMS offer; Immunogen appoints Daniel M. Junius, more...

The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) has approved HART 7.1, the WirelessHART Communication Specification, as a Publicly Available Specification (IEC/PAS 62591Ed.1). WirelessHART is the first industrial wireless communication technology to achieve this level of approval.

Also, Zentiva accepts Sanofi's increased takeover bid, Oriel Therapeutics appoints Richard Fuller CEO, more...

Also, Quintiles to expand Singapore operations; Christine A. Poon, chairman of Johnson & Johnson's pharmaceuticals group, to retire; more...

The US Food and Drug Administration launched a new website to educate the general public about direct-to-consumer (DTC) advertising of prescription medications.

Also, Human Genome Sciences enters pact with Hospira, Zosano Pharma names Gail Schulze chair and CEO, more...

Also, Novartis stops development on "Aurograb," Zealand Pharma appoints David H. Solomon as CEO, more...

Brief pharmaceutical news items for September 2008.

This year, the employment survey will acknowledge the industry's best employers.

Editors' Picks of Pharmaceutical Science & Technology Innovations

Are hypersanitation trends a result of scaremongering or a lack of faith in medicine?

The challenges of ineffective quality monitoring of complaints, investigations and adverse event reporting can lead to patient harm or death, product withdrawal, and negative financial and brand impact to the organization.

The pharmaceutical industry is facing the perfect storm. Increasing healthcare costs, a changing regulatory environment and vigorous global competition coupled with the increasing complexity of small molecule and biotech drugs contributing to expensive discovery processes and clinical trials, as well as the resultant manufacturing challenges, all pose major threats to the industry.

The deadline for nominations for the Innovations in Pharma Science Awards is here. Check out http://pharmtech.com/Innovations to nominate your company's work in one of five areas by next week

Also, Shire recalls "Daytrana" patch, Chromatide forms Scientific Advisory Board, more...

Also, Tekmira will collaborate with Bristol-Myers Squibb, Helicos Biosciences appoints Steve Lombardi CEO, more...

The US Food and Drug Administration seeks contractors that will identify, describe, and evaluate potential data sources or data environments that could participate in the agency's Sentinel Initiative.