Portugal

Pharmaceutical companies, NGOs, and patient organizations were among the 129 respondents to the European Commission’s consultation on its draft implementing act for joint clinical assessments – but opinions on the proposal were divided.

A round-up of the latest appointments in Europe's consumer health market: Cooper Consumer Health names Spain & Portugal head; Orkla Health adds to board; TheOTCLab appoints first Germany manager; Dr. Pfleger hires digital specialist.

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.

Generis Farmaceutica, acquired by Aurobindo six years ago, says it is now the pharmaceutical “sector leader” in Portugal.

The proposed European Health Data Space aims to enable the seamless transition of health data sharing for certain purposes across the EU. A new report highlights how national variations in data storage and budgetary constraints may affect the initiative’s success.

Gingko biloba's cardiovascular benefits may be behind the popular ingredient's wide range of applications, from dementia to tinnitus, suggest researchers at the University of Lisbon, Portugal.

Amsterdam-based TheOTCLab has received an EU CE mark for its new wart and verruca OTC freezing device Dr. Yglo. The firm plans to launch the product in Europe in Italy, Portugal, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, and will separately look to take it further afield to the US and South Africa.

The monkeypox cases reported this month are evidence of chains of transmission of the virus, according to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, which says that vaccination of high-risk close contacts should be considered after a benefit-risk assessment.

Neuraxpharm has appointed Jörg Gärtner to lead its business in Switzerland, as the CNS specialist prepares to roll out its medical cannabis portfolio in the region.

Round-up of European consumer health news: Probiotics specialist BioGaia plots US expansion with acquisition of distribution partner; Spain's Rubió enters the dietary supplements space with Fisiopharma; and Portugal's Sidefarma receives investment from private-equity firm Atena.

Sandoz has appointed a new leader for its Japanese business following the acquisition of Aspen’s local operations, while Stada has brought in a former Sandoz and Pfizer executive to lead its Ciclum Farma unit in Portugal. Meanwhile, Julphar has a new CEO.

Neuraxpharm is aiming to expand in the Portuguese market with its first commercial launch lined up for December. Javier Mercadé will be heading up the southern European region comprising Italy, Spain and now Portugal.

Extra capacity coming online at a high-containment facility in Portugal is opening up opportunities for Hikma to expand its presence in Europe’s injectables market.

Rovi has started to market its enoxaparin biosimilar directly in Portugal as the Spanish company prepares to market teriparatide in its domestic market through a tie-up with Teva.

Making arbitration over patent disputes voluntary, rather than obligatory, is welcome, but goes only part way to removing problematic patent linkage in Portugal, the local generics industry argues.

The Valletta group of southern EU states on improving access to medicines continues to expand and now includes Croatia.

Portugal’s medicines regulator, Infarmed, wants to prioritize new medicines and speed up access to innovation with a new horizon scanning initiative.

Five countries appear to be ahead in the battle to host the European Medicines Agency after Brexit, judging by the results of a European Commission assessment and an EMA staff survey, although much horse-trading among member states is expected before the winner is announced in November.

An international VC, Vesalius Biocapital, is to invest in start-up life sciences and biotech companies in the western European country that is developing an entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Spain and Portugal have announced plans to work more closely together to buy new medicines and are now planning a pilot.