Valeant picks up Brazilian firm in $56M deal; ImClone cuts three dozen in safety streamlining;

@FiercePharma: Global drug sales will hit $1 trillion by 2014. Report | Follow @FiercePharma

> Valeant Pharmaceuticals agreed to buy a privately held Brazilian pharmaceutical company for about $56 million, its second acquisition in as many months in that country, expanding its Latin American franchise. Report

> Eli Lilly subsidiary ImClone Systems is cutting about 36 jobs in its patient safety department as Lilly streamlines by taking over ImClone's work in that area. Report

> British drugmaker AstraZeneca has donated $25 million to its not-for-profit charitable foundation for a new grant program aimed at improving cardiovascular health in the United States. Report

> Daiichi Sankyo has decided not to convert warrants for additional 5.3 percent stake in Ranbaxy Laboratories, as the Indian drugmaker's stock is trading much lower than what the Japanese company would have had to pay for the additional equity. Report

> Quick treatment with flu medicine saved the lives of many pregnant women who were stricken by swine flu last year, according to the most complete analysis of deaths among expectant mothers. Report

> Controlled Therapeutics, a Scottish speciality drugs company, is planning a rapid expansion and mulling a Nasdaq listing to fund future growth. Report

> The Hong Kong Department of Health has ordered licensed drug manufacturer Quality Pharmaceutical Laboratory to recall all batches of Mefenamic Acid 500mg and 250mg tablets from the retail level. Report

> Wisconsin is getting another $7.75 million from four drug companies that allegedly defrauded the state's Medicaid program. Report

And Finally... About one in six patients who have a stent placed in an artery do not fill prescriptions for blood thinners immediately, doubling their risk of a subsequent heart attack or death. Report