FDA faces backlog as its workers return; Novo gets Canadian approval for Levemir pen;

@FiercePharma: Biggest story this a.m. online: Pharma dealmakers, listen up; Ireland may close a popular tax loophole. Story | Follow @FiercePharma

@EricPFierce: Another gut check for Amarin and its fish oil drug . F panel votes against wider use. Article | Follow @EricPFierce

@CarlyHFierce: Q3 earnings: Abbott ups dividend, Actelion confirms growth, Baxter hurt by merger costs. More | Follow @CarlyHFierce

> The FDA faces backlog as furloughed workers hit their computers and desks. Story

> Pfizer ($PFE) will be able to expand the product summary for its pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) Prevenar 13 in Europe to include some expanded groups. Report

> Novo Nordisk ($NVO) says Health Canada has approved is disposable prefilled insulin pen containing the insulin Levemir. Release

> Health activists continue to push South Africa for upgrades to its patent laws to make generics more available. Story

> A new study says that regular use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) has significant connection with active Crohn's disease, but not with ulcerative colitis. Report

Medical Device News

@FierceMedDev:  buying implant outfit for $80M with eye on Europe. ICYMI yesterday | Follow @FierceMedDev

@MarkHFierce: Roche is closing down its 454 Life Sciences gene sequencing division. FierceDiagnostics story | Follow @MarkHFierce

@MichaelGFierce: ICYMI: FierceMedicalDevices' 2013 Fierce 15. Special report | Follow @MichaelGFierce

> LabCorp grew revenue despite Dx reimbursement challenges. Item

> Fierce 15 winner Veracyte discloses IPO details and boosts maximum offering. Story

> Med tech VC spending grew in Q3, but deal numbers declined. Report

> Boston Scientific paying $30M to settle Guidant claims. More

Biotech News

@FierceBiotech: VC funding follows tepid pace in Q3 as first-time rounds shrivel. Special report | Follow @FierceBiotech

@JohnCFierce: Seamus Fernandez is downgrading Sanofi. Likes PCSK9 but thinks prospects are overblown. Lotso competition coming. Very sensible assessment. | Follow @JohnCFierce

@DamianFierce: The third time is not whatsoever charming as Alimera, pSivida get another FDA rejection for Iluvien. Article | Follow @DamianFierce

@EmilyMFierce: Mini pancreas grown in lab using mouse cells. Story from FierceBiotech Research | Follow @EmilyMFierce

> Boehringer snags EU nods for COPD drug as FDA awaits. More

> Bullish Relypsa eyes $138M in bumped-up IPO pitch. Story

> Blood clots force Ariad to shutter PhIII Iclusig trial. Article

And Finally... Researchers have found that generic drugs, on average, capture 60% of the market within 90 days or less. Story