english.prescrire.org > Annual Prescrire Awards > The Prescrire Awards for 2008 > The 2008 Prescrire Awards for Drugs, Packaging and Information > A look back at drug developments in 2008 > Overview: major trends observed in 2008

The Prescrire Awards for 2008

The 2008 Prescrire Awards for Drugs, Packaging and Information

A look back at drug developments in 2008
Overview: major trends observed in 2008

  • Twenty-five (50%) of the 50 new brand name products introduced to the market in France that we examined in 2008 were designed to treat cancer, HIV infection or rare diseases. None represented a major therapeutic advance. Line extensions making treatment more convenient included methadone capsules and a liquid form of metformin.
     
  • Marketing authorisation does not provide sufficient guarantees of safety and effectiveness. In 2008 we rated 23 new products as “Not acceptable” and advised our readers to avoid them.
  • Drug regulatory agencies were reluctant to take the necessary measures, such as refusal to grant marketing authorisation, to protect patients from exposure to drugs with negative risk-benefit balances.
  • Serious incidents involving contamination of certain batches of nelfinavir and heparin are reminders that the pharmaceutical industry needs to maintain the highest quality standards.
  • Drug prices remain high and bear little relation to therapeutic benefits.
  • It is now clear that direct drug advertising to the public and healthcare professionals has negative public health consequences. However, it has not yet been banned.
  • In summary, deregulation continued in 2008. Only by maintaining pressure on the authorities and regulatory agencies can patients and healthcare professionals resist these negative trends.

Source: Prescrire Int 2009; 18 (100): 84-88.

©Prescrire 2009