Colgate-Palmolive warns in a June 14 statement counterfeit toothpaste packaged under the Colgate brand has been found in several "dollar-type discount stores" in four states: New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Maryland. "There are indications that this product does not contain fluoride and may contain diethylene glycol," the firm says. The company stressed "that it does not use, nor has ever used, DEG as an ingredient in Colgate toothpaste anywhere in the world." The counterfeit toothpaste is easily recognizable because it is labeled as "Manufactured in South Africa," the firm says, noting that it does not import toothpaste into the U.S. from South Africa. The counterfeit packages also bear several misspellings: "isclinically," "SOUTH AFRLCA" and "South African Dental Assoxiation." Colgate is working closely with FDA to help identify those responsible for the counterfeit product. Earlier this month, concern arose over DEG-containing toothpaste from China (1"The Tan Sheet" June 11, 2007, p. 8)...

In what could be a blow to some aspiring developers eyeing the nascent but growing biosimilars market in China, new rules lay out when extrapolation of approved indications of reference biologics will be allowed, meaning this will not be automatic.

Without the MRA that allows unimpeded bilateral device trade between the EU and Switzerland, Swiss industry is having to find ways of limiting the damage that newly erected barriers will cause after the MDR comes into force.