Archives : 2019

Updated list of "Drugs to avoid, in the name of better patient care" is published by independent French journal Prescrire

The independent French medical journal Prescrire has published its annual review of "Drugs to avoid", identifying drugs that are clearly more harmful than beneficial. The full report will be published in English in the February 2020 issue of Prescrire International.

1 December 2019

Emicizumab (Hemlibra°) in haemophilia A. A first-choice preventive treatment for patients with factor VIII inhibitors

FEATURED REVIEW Prescrire's editors have rated emicizumab prophylaxis in patients with haemophilia A in whom factor VIII is no longer effective due to the development of factor VIII inhibitors "a real advance". Reduced incidence of bleeding and greater convenience should be weighed against the lack of long-term data, the lack of evaluation in certain clinical situations, and the risk of thrombosis.
Full review (2 pages) available for download by subscribers.

1 December 2019

In the December issue of Prescrire International: pertuzumab (Perjeta°) after surgery for some breast cancers at high risk of recurrence

FREE DOWNLOAD Pertuzumab (Perjeta°) is a monoclonal antibody which has been authorised for use after surgery for some breast cancers. How do Prescrire's editors rate the drug's harm-benefit balance in this situation, in light of the most recent evidence?

Full text available for free download.

1 December 2019

The Mediator° disaster: so much time wasted, so many lives destroyed

The independent French medical journal Prescrire began asking questions about the appetite-suppressant drug Mediator° (benfluorex) in 1986, and called for its withdrawal some 12 years before the French authorities finally took action. In our special online section, a recap of how the disaster unfolded, and the tragic consequences for victims.

1 December 2019

Diclofenac: a habit that needs changing

Diclofenac, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), is routinely used, despite evidence of a greater risk of adverse cardiovascular events when compared with other NSAIDs such as ibuprofen or naproxen, whereas it offers no additional benefit.

1 December 2019

Anti-inflammatory drugs: risks for the kidneys even in young, healthy adults

Taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) presents risks of nephrotoxicity in young people during intense physical exercise, especially in hot weather.

1 December 2019

Sore throat: paracetamol is the best option

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) appear to be somewhat more effective than paracetamol, but they expose patients to more serious side effects.

1 December 2019

Dolutegravir + rilpivirine (Juluca°) dual therapy in HIV infection

FEATURED REVIEW First-line therapy for patients with HIV infection is usually based on triple therapy. When sustained virological suppression has been achieved, treatment "simplification" can sometimes be considered. Is the two-drug regimen dolutegravir + rilpivirine (Juluca°) any better than other treatment options?
Full review (3 pages) available for download by subscribers.

1 November 2019

In the November issue of Prescrire International - Gliptins: joint pain and exposure to NSAIDs

FREE DOWNLOAD In the Adverse Effects section of the November issue, the results of a study by the independent French medical journal Prescrire, based on data from France's national health insurance system.

Full text available for free download.

1 November 2019

Gemtuzumab ozogamicin (Mylotarg°) in acute myeloid leukaemia: no proven benefits

According to currently available clinical evaluation data, gemtuzumab ozogamicin (Mylotarg°) does not provide tangible benefits for patients with acute myeloid leukaemia.

1 November 2019

Fenspiride (Pneumorel°): serious adverse effects reported over two decades

Despite serious adverse effects reported for more than 20 years, fenspiride (Pneumorel°) was only withdrawn from the market in 2019.

1 November 2019

Industrial protectionism and medicines: too many damaging effects

Pharmaceutical companies benefit from strong industrial protection which allows them to charge exorbitant prices for their medicines for a very long time.

1 November 2019

New special section: "Mediator° - the criminal trial"

The independent French medical journal Prescrire began asking questions about the appetite-suppressant drug Mediator° (benfluorex) in 1986, and called for its withdrawal some 12 years before the French authorities finally took action. Meanwhile thousands of patients suffered serious, sometimes fatal, adverse effects. As the criminal trial opens in France, Prescrire looks back over the disaster, and analyses just what is at stake.

09 October 2019

The 2019 "Prescrire Prize" is awarded in Paris to
3 noteworthy books about health and healthcare

The recipients of the 2019 "Prescrire Prize" book awards were announced on 3 October 2019. The prize is awarded to works of particular interest to the general public and/or healthcare professionals.

03 October 2019

Axicabtagene ciloleucel (Yescarta°) in certain types of lymphoma when other treatment options have been exhausted

FEATURED REVIEW Axicabtagene ciloleucel is a CAR (chimeric antigen receptor) T-cell therapy. It increases the chances of survival in certain situations but frequently provokes serious adverse effects. There is a pressing need for more thorough clinical evaluation.
Full review (3 pages) available for download by subscribers.

1 October 2019

In the October issue of Prescrire International: clear shortcomings in the independence of French medical schools

FREE DOWNLOADInvestigation by a nonprofit organisation revealed poor application of a charter signed by deans of French medical and dental schools.

Full text available for free download.

1 October 2019

"Faces of Mediator", a new book published by Prescrire

It was after seeing the French film "La Fille de Brest", an adaptation of the book by pulmonologist and whistle-blower Irène Frachon, that the photographer Marc Dantan first got the idea of taking portraits of the victims of Mediator° (benfluorex), in the hope that "bringing faces into the light could perhaps raise awareness of the silent suffering". That was the beginning of this book, which presents in 208 pages some 180 photographs, along with a foreword by Irène Frachon, a summary of the history of the Mediator° disaster, and an afterword by Prescrire. Texts in French and English.

1 October 2019

Paracetamol: patients need to be more aware of the harms

In France, 20% of patients seem to be unaware that paracetamol is toxic at high doses, especially to the liver, and around 30% are unaware that alcohol aggravates this toxicity.

1 October 2019

Secondary cardiovascular prevention: dubious benefits of evolocumab (Repatha°) and alirocumab (Praluent°)

In patients who have already had a cardiovascular event, the addition of evolocumab or alirocumab to a statin does not reduce mortality but does expose to adverse effects, although these are not well known.

1 October 2019

Trials funded by drug companies: publication or publicity?

Pharmaceutical companies have a tight grip on the publication of the clinical study results that will allow them to obtain marketing authorisation for their products. A situation that is regrettable, but predictable.

1 October 2019

Erenumab (Aimovig°) for the prevention of migraine attacks: decrease in the frequency of attacks in some patients, but uncertainty over cardiovascular effects

FEATURED REVIEW Erenumab (Aimovig°) is a monoclonal antibody that has been authorised in the European Union for the prevention of migraine attacks in patients who experience attacks on more than 4 days a month. Prescrire's editorial staff have weighed the available evidence to bring you an unbiased assessment of the drug's harm-benefit balance.
Full review (5 pages) available for download by subscribers.

1 September 2019

In the September edition of Prescrire International: sartan medicines contaminated by impurities which are probable carcinogens

FREE DOWNLOAD The exposure of patients all around the world and over a period of several years to impurities which are known to be carcinogenic, and which were present in commonly used medicines, shows that the systems intended to guarantee pharmaceutical quality need to be improved.

Full text available for free download.

1 September 2019

Carpal tunnel syndrome: sometimes drug-related

Carpal tunnel syndrome is sometimes caused by certain drugs, and disappears when the medication is stopped.

1 September 2019

New drugs: investing in more informative clinical trials

More informative clinical trials are more expensive, but that is the price of better care.

1 September 2019

Fluoroquinolones: use should be restricted due to severe adverse effects

Given the many and sometimes severe adverse effects of fluoroquinolone antibiotics, they should only be used for limited purposes.

1 September 2019

Psychotic episode: which oral neuroleptic to choose? A choice tailored to each patient, based on the adverse effect profiles of the options

FEATURED REVIEW Neuroleptic drugs have been widely used since the 1950s to treat psychotic episodes. When an oral neuroleptic appears justified for treating a psychotic episode in an adult, which drug should be chosen?
Full review (7 pages) available for download by subscribers.

1 July 2019

In the July-August issue of Prescrire International: emtricitabine + tenofovir disoproxil (Truvada° and other brands) for prevention of HIV infection in adolescents

FREE DOWNLOAD Based on extrapolation of the data obtained in adults, the emtricitabine + tenofovir disoproxil combination (Truvada° or other brands) appears worth offering to adolescents whose sex practices place them at particularly high risk of contracting HIV infection.

Full text available for free download.

1 July 2019

Fentanyl (Actiq° and other brands) and other opioids: risk of increased pain

Paradoxically, fentanyl, like other opioids, can exacerbate the pain it is intended to relieve.

1 July 2019

Prescrire's packaging review for 2018: ways to reduce dangers

A drug's packaging (box, bottle, delivery device, leaflet, etc.) is especially important in preventing patient errors in taking the drug. Hence the usefulness of Prescrire's methodical analysis.

1 July 2019

A clear example of marketing's influence on prescribers

Lung specialists have been influenced by marketing to prescribe new drugs that do not bring any benefits for patients with COPD.

1 July 2019

Spotlight: Archives

Spotlight

2019

Updated list of "Drugs to avoid, in the name of better patient care" is published by independent French journal Prescrire

Emicizumab (Hemlibra°) in haemophilia A. A first-choice preventive treatment for patients with factor VIII inhibitors

In the December issue of Prescrire International: pertuzumab (Perjeta°) after surgery for some breast cancers at high risk of recurrence

The Mediator° disaster: so much time wasted, so many lives destroyed

Diclofenac: a habit that needs changing

Anti-inflammatory drugs: risks for the kidneys even in young, healthy adults

Sore throat: paracetamol is the best option

Dolutegravir + rilpivirine (Juluca°) dual therapy in HIV infection

In the November issue of Prescrire International - Gliptins: joint pain and exposure to NSAIDs

Gemtuzumab ozogamicin (Mylotarg°) in acute myeloid leukaemia: no proven benefits

Fenspiride (Pneumorel°): serious adverse effects reported over two decades

Industrial protectionism and medicines: too many damaging effects

New special section: "Mediator° - the criminal trial"

The 2019 "Prescrire Prize" is awarded in Paris to
3 noteworthy books about health and healthcare

Axicabtagene ciloleucel (Yescarta°) in certain types of lymphoma when other treatment options have been exhausted

In the October issue of Prescrire International: clear shortcomings in the independence of French medical schools

"Faces of Mediator", a new book published by Prescrire

Paracetamol: patients need to be more aware of the harms

Secondary cardiovascular prevention: dubious benefits of evolocumab (Repatha°) and alirocumab (Praluent°)

Trials funded by drug companies: publication or publicity?

Erenumab (Aimovig°) for the prevention of migraine attacks: decrease in the frequency of attacks in some patients, but uncertainty over cardiovascular effects

In the September edition of Prescrire International: sartan medicines contaminated by impurities which are probable carcinogens

Carpal tunnel syndrome: sometimes drug-related

New drugs: investing in more informative clinical trials

Fluoroquinolones: use should be restricted due to severe adverse effects

Psychotic episode: which oral neuroleptic to choose? A choice tailored to each patient, based on the adverse effect profiles of the options

In the July-August issue of Prescrire International: emtricitabine + tenofovir disoproxil (Truvada° and other brands) for prevention of HIV infection in adolescents

Fentanyl (Actiq° and other brands) and other opioids: risk of increased pain

Prescrire's packaging review for 2018: ways to reduce dangers

A clear example of marketing's influence on prescribers