Joe C Mathew / New Delhi October 3, 2008, 0:56 IST

The World Health Organization (WHO) has given five more months to the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) to upgrade its performance to international standards. The extension of the current deadline of October-end came after a visiting WHO team found the modernisation programmes of the Indian drug regulator on track.

Business Standard / New Delhi October 1, 2008, 0:09 IST

Bs Reporter / Chennai September 30, 2008, 0:08 ISTOrchid Chemicals and Pharmaceuticals today said that it has entered into an arrangement with US drug maker Merck & Co for the discovery and development of novel anti-infective drugs, which have a revenue potential of over $100 million.

Last year, Anusha, 30, took a new weight-loss drug for seven months to combat her obesity. Although it helped her shed between 5 kg and 8 kg, she claims, there were side effects.

Bloomberg / Mumbai September 26, 2008, 0:14 IST

American relief programme suspends funding for three generic medicines.

AIDS drugs made by Ranbaxy Laboratories won't be purchased under an American programme to supply medicines to developing countries after the US cited the company for violations in two of its plants.

Daiichi Sankyo has said that there are procedural delays in completing the open offer for acquiring an additional 20% equity of Ranbaxy. The delay pertains to payments to shareholders who have subscribed to the Japanese company's open offer for acquiring an additional 20% equity of Ranbaxy.

THE U.S. BAN ON some medicines made by India's largest pharmaceutical company adds a black mark against India's booming drug and drug-testing industries, which already have been under pressure over the country's lax monitoring of drug safety.

Bs Reporter / New Delhi/tokyo September 18, 2008, 0:30 IST

Lapses on record-keeping Affects numerous, widely-used medications
Preventive action to protect quality of drugs