Astellas To Rename Succin To Avoid Confusion With Kowa Drug
This article was originally published in PharmAsia News
Executive Summary
Astellas Pharma is renaming its Succin (solefenacin) muscle relaxant to Suxamethonium to avoid a repeat of a fatal mistake by a hospital in Japan last year. It was decided the name of the drug was too similar to Kowa's Saxizon (hydrocortisone), and the cause of the mistake behind the stronger Succin given to the patient. Astellas had resisted renaming its drug, saying warnings and greater care would suffice, but critics said warnings were not enough and that similar mistakes could occur. (Click here for more
You may also be interested in...
Japan Grants Global-First Approval To Zolbetuximab, 15 Other New Drugs
Astellas's first-in class CLDN18.2-targeting antibody receives its first approval worldwide, while crovalimab and a number of drugs for rare diseases also receive nods from regulators and are now awaiting reimbursement price-listing.
Hanmi-OCI Merger Hits Wall As Brothers Win Shareholder Vote, Board Seats
The planned merger of Korea's Hanmi Pharm Group with OCI Group hits a major speed bump as the two sons of Hanmi's founder and other candidates recommended by them secture board seats. But it remains to be seen how the Lim brothers will fulfil their ambitious promises.
Beauty Firms Using AI-Based Tools Could Be Subject To Health Privacy Laws In US States
Using AI-based programs to collect and store consumer information risks running afoul of new health privacy laws cropping up in US states. Lack of federal regulation or guidance on the issue is one of the biggest challenges for beauty firms deploying AI, according to Stacy Marcus, partner at Reed Smith LLP.