Pharmalittle: italy probes pfizer over profit transfers; fda postpones meeting for otc birth control pill

Rise and shine, another busy day is on the way. However, this is also shaping up as a beautiful day as well, given the clear and sunny skies — and delicious breezes — enveloping the

Pharmalot campus this morning. This calls for celebration with a cup of stimulation, and we are opening a new package of Pumpkin Spice for the occasion. Autumn, after all, is in full swing.

Meanwhile, our ever-growing to-do list requires attention. Sound familiar? So, here are some items of interest. Have a great day, everyone … PFIZER IS THE TARGET OF AN ITALIAN PROBE ALLEGING

THE COMPANY HID AT LEAST $1.2 BILLION IN PROFIT BY TRANSFERRING MONEY TO UNITS IN OTHER COUNTRIES, Bloomberg News reports. Italy’s finance police have alleged that Pfizer Italia transferred

excess capital to affiliates in the U.S. and the Netherlands to avoid taxes on profit that could be as high as 26%. The Italian branch allegedly sent the capital to foreign affiliates

linked to a units based in Delaware called Pfizer Production and Pfizer Manufacturing. The investigation began in February and covers 2017, 2018, and 2019. Authorities alleged Pfizer did not

distribute dividends and, instead, remunerated shareholders through reduction of share capital. THE FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION INDEFINITELY POSTPONED AN ADVISORY COMMITTEE THAT WAS

SCHEDULED FOR NOV. 18 TO HELP DECIDE WHETHER TO ALLOW OVER-THE-COUNTER SALES OF BIRTH CONTROL PILLS. HRA Pharma, which is owned by Perrigo, sought the designation last July for its Opill

contraceptive, but in a statement disclosed that the FDA postponed the meeting to “review additional information requested related to the Opill Rx-to-OTC switch.” The agency did not set a

new date, although a decision on the Opill is still expected sometime next year. Health experts say that making the pill available without a prescription will prevent more unwanted

pregnancies, and the need for abortions. STAT+ Exclusive Story Already have an account? Log in THIS ARTICLE IS EXCLUSIVE TO STAT+ SUBSCRIBERS UNLOCK THIS ARTICLE — PLUS IN-DEPTH ANALYSIS,

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