> A continuing resolution in the U.S. Congress would provide $10 million for the FDA to put 16 inspectors in China as part of its plan to inspect manufacturing and clinical research operations there. Story
> Clinical Specialties, a regional home health provider based in Ohio, is recalling 40 unit dose syringes of Avastin that were sold to doctors' offices for off-label use for eye treatments after after they were tied to 5 cases of eye infections. Recall
> Manufacturing delays at Sanofi ($SNY) will delay availability of the TB drug Rifamate until July, the company has informed the FDA. Notice
> Unable to find a buyer for its assets as a drug developer, Ark Therapeutics Group has sold off most of its business which the buyer will operate as a contract development manufacturing organization. Release
> Collbio, a new company set up by DiagnosticCapital Ltd, has bought the assets of Angel Biomedical Ltd, and will manufacture medical grade collagen components from a plant in Glasgow, Scotland. Release
> A subsidiary of Filtrona will pay £160 million to buy pharmaceutical packaging company Contego Healthcare. Item
> The European Commission has issued final Good Distribution Practice (GDP) guidance on supply chain management which now also includes pharmaceutical brokers. Item
> Two Rhode Island men have pleaded guilty in to federal charges that they served as part of an Israel-based international drug distribution ring that illegally imported and distributed prescription drugs and anabolic steroids in the U.S. Release
And Finally... The FDA's criminal investigations unit initiated 170 investigations last year, many of them tied to the appearance of counterfeit Avastin and Altuzan found in the U.S. Story