News briefs

Novartis' acquisition of German generic medicine producer Hexal will be able to go ahead only after a series of conditions imposed by the European Commission are met. Brussels is concerned the takeover could cause competition problems regarding prescription calcitonins treating osteoporosis in Poland; over-the-counter topical antirheumatics in Germany; and prescription antigout preparations in Denmark. To secure approval both companies have agreed to sell off Hexal's calcitonin product Calcihexal in Poland; its antirheumatics product Diclac in Germany; its antigout preparation Apurin in Denmark; and possibly its Allopurinol product.

During its six-month presidency of the European Union, the British government will respond to calls by the UK Department of Health by prioritising the agreement of a proposed regulation on child medicine. The measure, which calls for EU pharmaceuticals to be tested specifically for child patients, already has support from the European Commission and the EU Council of Ministers resolution.

Powder Systems (PSL) has beaten Eli Lilly and Getrag Ford to the Exporter of the Year award at the Daily Post Business Awards. PSL designs and builds high-containment pharmaceutical process equipment for pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical industries across the globe. Over 85% of its production is exported. America represents the largest portion of its exported business, accounting for almost 50% of all exports. Other international markets include Singapore, Japan, France, Germany, Switzerland, Scandinavia and Spain.