Archives : 2011

To promote better medical education, Prescrire publishes a new handbook devoted to pharmacovigilance and clinical pharmacology

The scandal caused in France by the deadly effects of weight-loss drug Mediator° is in part the result of healthcare professionals' insufficient training in clinical pharmacology and pharmacovigilance. In response to the need for better education in this area, independent journal La revue Prescrire has produced a handbook in French, available free of charge online.

20 December 2011

Botulinum toxin type A for migraine: first, do no harm

FEATURED REVIEW Given its uncertain efficacy, at best only modest, botulinum toxin type A is simply too risky a treatment for migraine. It is better to focus on fine tuning of standard prophylaxis.
Full review (4 pages) available for download by subscribers.

1 December 2011

In the December issue of Prescrire International:
Bleomycin in malignant pleural effusion

FREE DOWNLOAD Some cancer patients develop malignant pleural effusion that persists or recurs despite cytotoxic chemotherapy and drainage. For pleurodesis, it is better to choose talc rather than bleomycin, as it is safer and no less effective.

Full text available for free download.

1 December 2011

To prevent repeats of the Mediator° (benfluorex) disaster:
attitudes need to change

Healthcare professionals and patients, as well as drug experts and health authorities, must learn to balance medicines’ harms against their benefits.

1 December 2011

Small gifts: proved to have an influence, albeit often unconscious

Knowing that attitudes can be influenced by gifts – even small ones – and exposure to promotional items (posters, pens, etc.) helps to avoid being manipulated.

1 December 2011

Pharmaceutical companies and patient groups: the influence of funding

Patients rely on patient groups to make their views heard, to participate in discussions and to defend their interests -- not those of firms.

1 December 2011

Prescrire's "Non merci…" Charter = no conflicts of interest

In order to deliver the best possible care, healthcare professionals need to base their work and their decisions on reliable and independent information.

1 December 2011

Gingival hyperplasia can be drug-related

Some drugs can cause gingival hyperplasia. Reducing the dose, halting treatment and good oral and dental hygiene are generally sufficient to reduce or stop the lesions.

1 December 2011

Psychological consequences of DES exposure in utero

FEATURED REVIEW Between the 1950s and the late 1970s, millions of women worldwide took diethylstilbestrol (DES) during pregnancy. The data suggest that persons exposed to DES in utero have an increased risk of experiencing psychological disorders and should be monitored accordingly.
Full review (3 pages) available for download by subscribers.

1 November 2011

In the November issue of Prescrire International:
marketing authorisation for Onsenal° (celecoxib) withdrawn in EU

FREE DOWNLOADAuthorisation was withdrawn after the company failed to supply required data. This example is representative of the drawbacks of the insufficiently demanding marketing authorisation procedure. Also featured on this page: the INN common stem "- conazole".

Full text available for free download.

1 November 2011

The Mediator° scandal in France: key dates, key issues

Deaths caused by appetite suppressant Mediator° (benfluorex) made headlines in France last year, igniting a scandal that has led to a broad questioning of the country's medicines policy.

1 November 2011

Diabetes: pancreatitis and pancreatic cancers with exenatide and sitagliptin

Exenatide and sitagliptin have adverse effects that are causing increasing concern.

1 November 2011

A collective strategy for analysing and preventing healthcare-related adverse events

A collective multidisciplinary analysis of adverse events helps to improve patient safety.

1 November 2011

European Medicines Agency's preference for placebo trials is misplaced

It is in the interests of healthcare professionals and patients for new drugs to be compared to existing therapies before being granted a marketing authorisation. However, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) is in favour of placebo-controlled clinical trials.

1 November 2011

End of life: optimum pain management

In patients at the end of life, pain management is important for maintaining a certain quality of life.

1 November 2011

The 2011 "Prescrire Prize" is awarded in Paris to 5 noteworthy books about health and healthcare

The recipients of the 2011 Prix Prescrire were announced on 6 October 2011. The prize is awarded to works of particular interest to the general public and/or healthcare professionals.

10 October 2011

Psychological disorders and treatment of Parkinson's disease:
striking a balance in order to optimise antiparkinsonian treatment

FEATURED REVIEW When a Parkinson's patient presents with a psychological disorder, the first step is to optimise antiparkinsonian treatment by striking a balance between motor control and psychological adverse effects.
Full review (4 pages) available for download by subscribers.

1 October 2011

In the October issue of Prescrire International:
Syncope with cholinesterase inhibitors

FREE DOWNLOAD Three cholinesterase inhibitors, donepezil, galantamine and rivastigmine, are widely used as symptomatic treatment of Alzheimer's disease. Their minimal benefits do not justify exposing patients to the risk of syncope and bradycardia, and their consequences. These drugs should simply be avoided and the emphasis placed on non-drug management, however difficult.

Full text available for free download.

1 October 2011

European Medicines Agency still lags in providing key documents

Prescrire speaks out in favour of greater transparency, calling upon EMA to provide greater public access to scientific data, as well as information on conflicts of interest.

1 October 2011

Methylphenidate and hyperactive children: stunted growth

If methylphenidate slows a child's growth, it may be advisable to halt or adjust the treatment.

1 October 2011

Drug packaging: an important factor in the choice of treatment

A drug’s packaging – including the box, the dosing device and the patient information leaflet – is a key factor in its harm-benefit balance.

1 October 2011

Child maltreatment through drug or alcohol use

A large number of children are affected by one form or another of maltreatment. One study in the USA found evidence of abuse with psychotropic drugs, analgesics and cardiovascular drugs as well as illegal drugs (marijuana, cocaine, metamphetamine).

1 October 2011

France's "AME" programme to cover uninsured foreigners: restrictions contravene medical ethics and are detrimental to public health

In France, the recipients of a government aid programme known as AME ("Aide médicale d’état") must now pay a contribution to benefit from the scheme. This measure serves no financial purpose but restricts access to care and endangers public health.

1 October 2011

Skin-lightening cosmetics: frequent, potentially severe adverse effects

FEATURED REVIEW Skin-lightening cosmetics are used by many women and men around the world. Users are often unaware of the risk of severe adverse effects associated with skin-lightening cosmetics. Users should be informed of these adverse effects and encouraged to stop using these products, especially when skin disorders appear.
Full review (7 pages) available for download by subscribers.

1 September 2011

In the September issue of Prescrire International:
Does Prescrire's editorial staff have conflicts of interest?

FREE DOWNLOADPrescrire reader and longtime subscriber Francis Blanc learned that one member of Prescrire's editorial team also worked at the French National Authority for Health (HAS). He found this situation "problematic" and felt it could undermine his long-standing confidence in Prescrire...

Full text available for free download.

1 September 2011

France's medicines policy: the proposed measures are positive, but need to go further, and above all need to be implemented

The scandal caused in France by the dangerous weight-loss drug Mediator° has resulted in a vast review of the country's medicines policy. Several institutions and official bodies have undertaken a broad debate aimed at proposing improvements in drugs policy.

1 September 2011

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs): no routine use of
anti-ulcer drugs

When an NSAID is deemed necessary, it is better to prescribe those with the best risk-benefit balance, at the lowest effective dose and for the shortest period. Anti-ulcer drugs are only warranted when there is a serious risk of severe gastrointestinal adverse effects.

1 September 2011

Social justice: a pillar of medical ethics that is often neglected

Given that there is a direct link between socioeconomic inequalities and health inequalities, it is the healthcare professional’s role to combat these inequalities too.

1 September 2011

Prescrire's Solidarity Support Programme: helping individuals or organisations in countries with insufficient financial resources.

This Programme helps individuals or organisations whose goals are close to Prescrire’s, in countries with insufficient financial resources. No contributions are accepted from pharmaceutical firms or other sources which may present a conflict of interest.

1 September 2011

The 2012 "Prescrire Encounters" to be held 25 and 26 May in Angers, France: working together in the name of better healthcare

The "Rencontres Prescrire 2012" will be held in Angers, France on Friday 25 and Saturday 26 May 2012. The event will be conducted in French, but European and international participants are encouraged to attend, and to contribute their experiences and viewpoints.

1 September 2011

Spotlight: Archives

Spotlight

2011

To promote better medical education, Prescrire publishes a new handbook devoted to pharmacovigilance and clinical pharmacology

Botulinum toxin type A for migraine: first, do no harm

In the December issue of Prescrire International:
Bleomycin in malignant pleural effusion

To prevent repeats of the Mediator° (benfluorex) disaster:
attitudes need to change

Small gifts: proved to have an influence, albeit often unconscious

Pharmaceutical companies and patient groups: the influence of funding

Prescrire's "Non merci…" Charter = no conflicts of interest

Gingival hyperplasia can be drug-related

Psychological consequences of DES exposure in utero

In the November issue of Prescrire International:
marketing authorisation for Onsenal° (celecoxib) withdrawn in EU

The Mediator° scandal in France: key dates, key issues

Diabetes: pancreatitis and pancreatic cancers with exenatide and sitagliptin

A collective strategy for analysing and preventing healthcare-related adverse events

European Medicines Agency's preference for placebo trials is misplaced

End of life: optimum pain management

The 2011 "Prescrire Prize" is awarded in Paris to 5 noteworthy books about health and healthcare

Psychological disorders and treatment of Parkinson's disease:
striking a balance in order to optimise antiparkinsonian treatment

In the October issue of Prescrire International:
Syncope with cholinesterase inhibitors

European Medicines Agency still lags in providing key documents

Methylphenidate and hyperactive children: stunted growth

Drug packaging: an important factor in the choice of treatment

Child maltreatment through drug or alcohol use

France's "AME" programme to cover uninsured foreigners: restrictions contravene medical ethics and are detrimental to public health

Skin-lightening cosmetics: frequent, potentially severe adverse effects

In the September issue of Prescrire International:
Does Prescrire's editorial staff have conflicts of interest?

France's medicines policy: the proposed measures are positive, but need to go further, and above all need to be implemented

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs): no routine use of
anti-ulcer drugs

Social justice: a pillar of medical ethics that is often neglected

Prescrire's Solidarity Support Programme: helping individuals or organisations in countries with insufficient financial resources.

The 2012 "Prescrire Encounters" to be held 25 and 26 May in Angers, France: working together in the name of better healthcare