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Article / May 29, 2008

Business of Counterfeit Heparin and its Implications

3rd EFCG Pharma Business Conference, 29 May 2008

Why this presentation?

  • Almost 100 deaths have been traced to counterfeit heparin, probably a better data collection system would establish that many hundreds are now dead – not because of a regulatory failure but because of greed. Crime has been committed with premeditation and with recourse to science and industrial means – and nobody spells it out. and nobody spells it out.
  • Did someone make millions in profit, and poisoned to death hundreds of weak, defenseless patients? hundreds of weak, defenseless patients?
  • Is a police investigation underway?
  • Penny wise, pound foolish – these events cost / will cost billions to several big companies – and damaged brands.

Where a drug begins...

 

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Every year, the largest bank in Portugal, Caixa Geral de Depósitos recognizes some of Portugal’s brightest young minds through the Caixa +Mundo Awards, providing nearly €800,000 in scholarships to students as they pursue higher education. In this year´s edition, Caixa named the award bestowed upon students pursuing science for Diane Villax. This prestigious honor places Diane Villax among the award’s namesakes – a distinguished group of prominent personalities who have made notable contributions to Portugal´s socio-economic, cultural, political and scientific development over the last 50 years, such as António Ramalho Eanes, Mário Soares, José Saramago, Sophia de Mello Breyner, Leonor Beleza, Elvira Fortunato, Rui Nabeiro, Américo Amorim, and José Manuel de Mello. Diane Villax will also honor the seven scientific award winners by personally meeting with each of them, and following their journeys as future innovators and leaders. But this honor is about far more than one individual. It is a celebration of an entire organization and the people behind it. For 67 years, generations of dedicated teams have worked together with passion, purpose, and excellence to manufacture life-saving medicines and advance science that has a real impact on people. This recognition belongs to all of us.    

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