Archives : 2009

Benfluorex: the appetite-suppressant amphetamine is finally suspended from sale in France

NEWS UPDATEBenfluorex's negative risk-benefit balance has been known for years. It took until late November 2009 for the French Health Products Safety Agency (AFSSAPS) to finally suspend its marketing authorisation.

1 December 2009

Agomelatine for major depression in adults: adverse effects and no proven efficacy

FEATURED REVIEW Agomelatine, a melatonin receptor agonist, is approved in the European Union for the treatment of depression. Agomelatine has unproven efficacy and poorly documented adverse effects. It is better to continue to use older antidepressants such as tricyclics or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors.
Full review (4p) in English available for download by subscribers.

1 December 2009

In the December issue of Prescrire International:
Pantoprazole in gastroesophageal reflux

FREE DOWNLOAD Pantoprazole, available without a prescription for the symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux, has a better risk-benefit balance than H2 receptor antagonists, but should not be used by pregnant women.
Full text available for free download.

1 December 2009

Pharmacovigilance in Europe: soon to be placed in the hands of pharmaceutical companies?

The European Commission is proposing to entrust pharmaceutical companies with the post-marketing monitoring of their own drugs – entailing the risk that firms will cover up evidence of adverse effects that might harm sales.

1 December 2009

H1N1v flu vaccines
(Celvapan°, Focetria°, Pandemrix°, Panenza°)

Vaccinate people with a high risk of severe complications, and choose the vaccine best suited to each individual. Not all H1N1v vaccines are created equal, and their usefulness differs according to several factors.

1 December 2009

Nimesulide: a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory that can cause fatal hepatitis

When a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory is necessary, it is best to avoid nimesulide in favour of another drug with a better risk-benefit balance.

1 December 2009

Flu prevention: first and foremost, wash hands often

When infection must be avoided: frequent hand-washing, and surgical masks for patients.

1 December 2009

More on the H1N1 flu: the truth about antivirals, and the risks for pregnant women and infants

Prescrire reports that antivirals should not be relied upon in combating the H1N1 virus, and summarises strategies for limiting the risks for pregnant women and infants.

1 December 2009

Psoriasis in children: natural outcome often positive

Topical treatment of the symptoms is usually sufficient. Treatments with severe adverse effects should be avoided as far as possible.

1 December 2009

The 2010 "Prescrire Encounters" in Brussels:
"For accessible quality healthcare"

The "Rencontres Prescrire 2010" will be held in Brussels Friday 28 and Saturday 29 May. The event will be conducted in French, but a broad range of European and international participants and viewpoints are expected, and encouraged.

1 December 2009

Prasugrel after angioplasty and stenting: continue to use aspirin + clopidogrel

FEATURED REVIEWThe best-assessed treatment for preventing relapses is a combination of aspirin and clopidogrel. Whereas prasugrel, in one trial, was no more beneficial than clopidogrel in reducing mortality and increased the risk of bleeding and other serious adverse effects.
Full review (3p) in English available for download by subscribers.

1 November 2009

Dealing with the H1N1 flu virus: step by step

As of October 2009, the H1N1v flu virus has barely spread in France, but things are still feverish as regards vaccines. Many of the questions still have no clear answers. Contradictory information is swirling around every which way. And probably disinformation as well.

1 November 2009

Medicines: time to come clean

Transparency is the latest buzzword. But health agencies, the health industry and their intermediaries do not practise it.

1 November 2009

Routine screening for prostate cancer is not justified

In 2009, the value of routine screening for prostate cancer has not been clearly proven, but its adverse effects have.

1 November 2009

Pharmaceutical companies: anti-competitive practices jeopardise research

Pharmaceutical companies are using every trick in the book to delay competition from generics or new drugs.

1 November 2009

2009 "Prix Prescrire" book awards announced

On 1 October, the French journal Prescrire announced the winners of its annual book award, the "Prix Prescrire". Four books in French were singled out by Prescrire’s Editorial Staff for the quality, impartiality and usefulness of their information.

1 November 2009

Drugs' brand names are a source of confusion

The European Medicines Agency (EMEA) is allowing pharmaceutical companies to develop sales strategies based on drugs' brand names, at the risk of creating confusion for patients.

1 November 2009

Type 2 diabetes: diet is important but should not be rigid

In type 2 diabetes patients, losing weight and adopting a "Mediterranean" diet, without being totally inflexible, reduces cardiovascular events and increases life expectancy.

1 November 2009

Cough and cold medicines: some should be avoided

Cough and cold remedies have little effect and are little – if at all – better than a placebo. Some expose patients, children in particular, to severe and disproportionate adverse effects.

1 November 2009

Prescrire's "Fiches Infos-Patients": reliable information for patients

Reliable, independently produced and regularly updated, Prescrire's new patient-information feature will help subscribers to get patients actively involved in decisions concerning their care.

1 November 2009

Renal colic in adults: NSAIDs and morphine are effective for pain relief

FEATURED REVIEW After having considered other diagnoses and checked for signs of complication, the first step in treating renal colic is to control the pain. Which non-invasive treatments have a positive risk-benefit balance? We review the available evidence, based on standard Prescrire methodology.
Full review (5p) in English available for download by subscribers.

1 October 2009

In the October issue of Prescrire International:
Fewer adverse effects with doxycycline than with minocycline

FREE DOWNLOADA French pharmacovigilance report reveals more frequent adverse effects and a higher proportion of severe adverse effects with minocycline than with doxycycline.
Full text available for free download.

1 October 2009

Avoid errors in drug names: use the international nonproprietary name

Using a drug’s international nonproprietary name (INN) is particularly helpful in avoiding confusion between similar brand names.

1 October 2009

H1N1 flu virus: moderate severity

Experience acquired around the world indicates that the H1N1 flu is of similar clinical severity to that of bad seasonal flu outbreaks.

1 October 2009

H1N1 flu: keep cool

The political and media frenzy around the H1N1 pandemic is disproportionate, given the flu's only moderate severity.

1 October 2009

Medications sometimes result in often preventable hospital admissions

Over the past decade, the number of patients admitted to hospital in France for adverse effects associated with drug treatments has not decreased. There are lessons to be learned and improvements to be made.

1 October 2009

Etoricoxib: no to a drug with an unfavourable risk-benefit balance

Despite its unfavourable risk-benefit balance, etoricoxib, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, is set to be marketed in France.

1 October 2009

Cannabis: limited therapeutic benefit

Only one orally administered cannabis derivative, THC, is effective in providing a little relief from some pains associated with multiple sclerosis, at the cost of sometimes serious neuropsychological effects.

1 October 2009

Food colouring increases hyperactivity in children

Some food colourings seem to increase activity in children diagnosed as hyperactive, but the same appears to apply to children not diagnosed as hyperactive. It is better to avoid exposing any children to food colourings.

1 October 2009

European medicines agency: lack of transparency

The European Medicines Agency (EMEA) is reluctant to publish vital documents relating to drugs, in order to protect pharmaceutical companies' interests.

24 September 2009

Spotlight: Archives

Spotlight

2009

Benfluorex: the appetite-suppressant amphetamine is finally suspended from sale in France

Agomelatine for major depression in adults: adverse effects and no proven efficacy

In the December issue of Prescrire International:
Pantoprazole in gastroesophageal reflux

Pharmacovigilance in Europe: soon to be placed in the hands of pharmaceutical companies?

H1N1v flu vaccines
(Celvapan°, Focetria°, Pandemrix°, Panenza°)

Nimesulide: a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory that can cause fatal hepatitis

Flu prevention: first and foremost, wash hands often

More on the H1N1 flu: the truth about antivirals, and the risks for pregnant women and infants

Psoriasis in children: natural outcome often positive

The 2010 "Prescrire Encounters" in Brussels:
"For accessible quality healthcare"

Prasugrel after angioplasty and stenting: continue to use aspirin + clopidogrel

Dealing with the H1N1 flu virus: step by step

Medicines: time to come clean

Routine screening for prostate cancer is not justified

Pharmaceutical companies: anti-competitive practices jeopardise research

2009 "Prix Prescrire" book awards announced

Drugs' brand names are a source of confusion

Type 2 diabetes: diet is important but should not be rigid

Cough and cold medicines: some should be avoided

Prescrire's "Fiches Infos-Patients": reliable information for patients

Renal colic in adults: NSAIDs and morphine are effective for pain relief

In the October issue of Prescrire International:
Fewer adverse effects with doxycycline than with minocycline

Avoid errors in drug names: use the international nonproprietary name

H1N1 flu virus: moderate severity

H1N1 flu: keep cool

Medications sometimes result in often preventable hospital admissions

Etoricoxib: no to a drug with an unfavourable risk-benefit balance

Cannabis: limited therapeutic benefit

Food colouring increases hyperactivity in children

European medicines agency: lack of transparency