Supply Chain

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has named Lawrenceville, N.J.-based GS1 US the first accredited issuing agency for unique device identifiers, according to a news release.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Center for Devices and Radiological Health, has announced improvements to the medical device recalls database.

Chesire, Conn.-based Alexion Pharmaceuticals has requested that hospitals return any unused vials of Soliris Concentrated Solution for Intravenous Infusion.

Germany-based Siemens and New York-based Pfizer have entered a master collaboration deal to design, develop and market in vitro diagnostic tests for Pfizer's therapeutic products, according to a news release.

Franklin, Tenn.-based RyMed Technologies and Brentwood, N.Y.-based Medical Action Industries have signed a supply agreement, according to a news release.

Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.-based Mako Surgical Corp. has signed off on a $1.65 billion merger agreement with Kalamazoo, Mich.-based Stryker Corp., according to a news release.

Montreal, Canada-based Valeant Pharmaceuticals will acquire Hayward, Calif.-based Solta Medical at a total transaction value of about $250 million, according to a NASDAQ report.

The global medical device packaging market is expected to hit $25.7 billion by 2017, growing at an annual compound growth rate of 5.9 percent, according to an RnR Market Research report.

The Washington, D.C.-based Healthcare Group Purchasing Industry Initiative has released its eighth annual report to the public that offers a comprehensive review of group purchasing industry best practices.

A group of healthcare organizations is working to develop new tubing standards in attempts to prevent potentially harmful tubing misconnections.