Идентификация

Registration opens for first public hearing

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) is inviting citizens to share their experience with valproate – a medicine that treats epilepsy, bipolar disorder and migraine – at its very first public hearing on 26 September 2017 at the Agency’s offices in London.

More information on the following link:

EMA seeks views of public during its safety review of valproate

Benefit-risk balance of certain linear gadolinium agents no longer favourable

EMA’s Pharmacovigilance Risk Assessment Committee (PRAC) has confirmed its previous conclusion from March 2017 that there is convincing evidence of gadolinium deposition in brain tissues following use of gadolinium contrast agents.

No specific conditions linked to gadolinium deposition in the brain have been identified, but the clinical consequences are unknown.

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Gadolinium-containing contrast agents

PRAC concludes there is no clear and consistent evidence of a difference in inhibitor development between classes of factor VIII medicines.

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PRAC concludes there is no clear and consistent evidence of a difference in inhibitor development between classes of factor VIII medicines

EMA’s Pharmacovigilance and Risk Assessment Committee (PRAC) has recommended the suspension of the marketing authorisations for four linear gadolinium contrast agents because of evidence that small amounts of the gadolinium they contain are deposited in the brain.

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PRAC concludes assessment of gadolinium agents used in body scans and recommends regulatory actions, including suspension for some marketing authorisations

EMA’s Pharmacovigilance Risk Assessment Committee (PRAC) is reviewing the safety of Uptravi (selexipag), following the deaths of 5 patients taking the medicine in France. Based on a preliminary review of available data, EMA advises that Uptravi may continue to be used, but use must be in line with the current prescribing information.

The PRAC will further explore all available data. Once the review is completed, final conclusions will be published.

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EMA reviewing safety of Uptravi for pulmonary arterial hypertension (updated)

EMA’s Pharmacovigilance Risk Assessment Committee (PRAC) is warning that an increase in cases of lower limb amputation (mostly affecting the toes) has been observed in patients taking the type 2 diabetes medicine canagliflozin compared with those taking placebo (a dummy treatment) in two clinical trials, CANVAS and CANVAS-R. The studies, which are still ongoing, involved patients at high risk of heart problems.

More information on the following link:

PRAC concludes that diabetes medicine canagliflozin may contribute to risk of toe amputation

Use of metformin to treat diabetes now expanded to patients with moderately reduced kidney function

Recommendations for patients with kidney impairment updated in product information

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has concluded that metformin-containing medicines can now be used in patients with moderately reduced kidney function (GFR [glomerular filtration rate]=30–59 ml/min) for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. The product information for these medicines will be updated to revise the current contraindication and give information about doses, monitoring and precautions in patients with reduced kidney function.

The recommendations are the result of a review by EMA of metformin-containing medicines following concerns that current scientific evidence does not justify a contraindication in patients with moderate reduction of kidney function. The current product information also varies between countries and products in the EU and is no longer consistent with clinical guidelines.

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Use of metformin to treat diabetes now expanded to patients with moderately reduced kidney function

Review to consider evidence on gadolinium accumulation in brain tissue

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has started a review of the risk of gadolinium deposition in brain tissue following the use of gadolinium contrast agents in patients having magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans.

Gadolinium contrast agents are diagnostic products that may be given to patients before or during MRI scans to help doctors obtain better images of organs and tissues. After administration, gadolinium agents are mostly eliminated via the kidneys but studies indicate that deposits can build up in some body tissues, including in the liver, kidney, muscle, skin and bone.

Read more: EMA reviewing gadolinium contrast agents used in MRI scans

Measures include close monitoring and use of antibiotics to prevent pneumonia

EMA’s Pharmacovigilance Risk Assessment Committee (PRAC) is issuing provisional advice for doctors and patients using the cancer medicine Zydelig (idelalisib) to ensure that it continues to be used as safely as possible. Zydelig is currently authorised in the EU to treat two types of blood cancers called chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) and follicular lymphoma (one of a group of cancers called non-Hodgkin lymphoma).

Read more: EMA recommends new safety measures for Zydelig