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Health Canada: BLINCYTO (blinatumomab) and Benzyl Alcohol Toxicity for Pediatric Patients

Audience

Healthcare professionals including hematologists, oncologists, hospital and oncology pharmacists, and cancer clinic staff

Key Messages

  • Serious and fatal adverse reactions including “gasping syndrome” can occur in pediatric patients, particularly in neonates and infants treated with BLINCYTO containing benzyl alcohol as a preservative.
  • BLINCYTO has recently been authorized with an additional option of preparing a 7-day infusion bag containing benzyl alcohol for patients weighing greater than or equal to 22 kg.  It is not recommended for use in patients weighing less than 22 kg.
  • When preparing bags of BLINCYTO solution for infusion in neonates, infants and patients weighing less than 22 kg, healthcare professionals are advised to only utilize preservative-free saline.
  • The Canadian Product Monograph has been updated to reflect this new safety information

For more information go to http://healthycanadians.gc.ca/recall-alert-rappel-avis/hc-sc/2018/67016a-eng.php

 

 
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Peru: Ministry of Health published the draft regulation that regulates the medicinal use of cannabis 05-16-2018

[Original Text in Spanish]

05-16-2018

To receive contributions and comments to the norm that seeks to guarantee the right to health and access to its therapeutic use.

The Ministry of Health (Minsa) published the Draft Regulation of Law N ° 30681, Law that regulates the medicinal and therapeutic use of Cannabis and its derivatives, in its Institutional Website.
The objective of the publication is to receive suggestions, comments or recommendations from public or private entities and citizens in general, for a period of ninety (90) calendar days which may be formulated by writing to the email webmaster@minsa.gob. conforming to the provisions of Ministerial Resolution No. 435-2018 / MINSA signed by the Minister of Health, Silvia Pessah.

People and institutions interested in knowing the content of the proposal and make their contributions can read the draft regulation by entering the link ftp://ftp2.minsa.gob.pe/normaslegales/2018/Resolucion_Ministerial_N_435-2018-MINSA.PDF that forms part of the documents in consultation published on the web portal of the Minsa.

 
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FDA Patient-Focused Drug Development Guidance Series for Enhancing the Incorporation of the Patient’s Voice in Medical Product Development and Regulatory Decision Making

FDA is developing a series of four methodological patient-focused drug development (PFDD) guidance documents to address, in a stepwise manner, how stakeholders can collect and submit patient experience data and other relevant information from patients and caregivers for medical product development and regulatory decision making. This series of guidance documents is intended to facilitate the advancement and use of systematic approaches to collect and use robust and meaningful patient and caregiver input that can better inform medical product development and regulatory decision making.

For more information go to https://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DevelopmentApprovalProcess/ucm610279.htm

 
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Jamaica: 9th Annual National Health Research Conference

The Ministry of Health will be hosting its 9th Annual National Health Research Conference in November.

Research being conducted in four (4) main areas: (i) Oral Health (ii) Intentional and Unintentional Injuries (iii) Non-communicable Diseases, featuring cancers and (iv) Family Planning, will be showcased.

For more information go to :

Ministry of Health 9th Annual National Health Research Conference Call for Abstracts

 

 
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FDA: Enforcement Policy — OTC Sunscreen Drug Products Marketed Without an Approved Application

This guidance describes FDA’s enforcement approach with respect to over-the-counter (OTC) sunscreen products marketed without approved applications during the period before a final sunscreen monograph becomes effective. It is intended for manufacturers who market OTC sunscreen drug products without an approved application. OTC sunscreens are not yet the subject of an effective final monograph, and we continue to evaluate information relevant to defining conditions under which such products are generally recognized as safe and effective (GRASE) and not misbranded. However, OTC sunscreens marketed without approved applications and containing specified active ingredients (see section II., Background) are subject to labeling and testing requirements located at 21 CFR 201.327. Several other ongoing and planned rulemaking proceedings will also address these products.

In general, FDA’s guidance documents do not establish legally enforceable responsibilities. Instead, guidances describe the Agency’s current thinking on a topic and should be viewed only as recommendations, unless specific regulatory or statutory requirements are cited. The use of the word should in Agency guidances means that something is suggested or recommended, but not required.

For more information go to https://www.fda.gov/downloads/Drugs/GuidanceComplianceRegulatoryInformation/Guidances/UCM259001.pdf

 

 
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Canada: Regulation of non-prescription drugs

Find out how non-prescription drugs are regulated and licensed.

Non-prescription drugs, also called over-the-counter drugs, are health products that can be bought without a doctor’s prescription.

Canada regulates non-prescription drugs to:

  • make sure they’re safe to use
  • reduce health risks to Canadians

For more information go to https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/self-care-regulation-non-prescription-drugs.html#s1

 
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Ecuador: Arcsa controls laboratories of natural products in Ambato

Technicians of the Zonal Coordination 3 of the National Agency of Regulation, Control and Sanitary Vigilance (Arcsa) visited laboratories of natural products of Ambato, with the aim of verifying the hygienic-sanitary conditions, storage and production processes used for the elaboration of this type of products that are distributed nationwide.
“This type of inspection is carried out permanently throughout the area in order to provide recommendations for improvement in the development of natural products and food supplements, to protect the health of the population that consumes them,” said Carlos Barreno, technician of the Coordination Zonal 3 of Arcsa.
As part of the control, it was verified that the products comply with the approved labeling in the Sanitary Registry, as well as with the current sanitary regulations, to avoid possible cases of misleading advertising and confusion in the nutritional and therapeutic properties of said products.

For more information go to https://www.controlsanitario.gob.ec/arcsa-controla-laboratorios-de-productos-naturales-en-ambato/

 
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Mexico: Second Symposium of medicinal cannabis for health professionals

The Commissioner for Protection against Sanitary Risks, Julio Sánchez and Tépoz, inaugurated today the “Second Symposium of medicinal cannabis for health professionals”, organized by the Director of CannabiSalud, Lorena Beltrán.

Source: https://www.gob.mx/cofepris/articulos/segundo-simposio-de-cannabis-medicinal-para-profesionales-de-la-salud?idiom=es

 
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Have you ever donated blood? Give Blood often. Blood donation matters for people’s health, especially voluntary donation. Share Life.

World Blood Donor Day 2018

Be there for someone else. Give blood. Share life. 14 June 2018 Every year, on 14 June, countries around the world celebrate World Blood Donor Day. The event serves to thank voluntary, unpaid blood donors for their life-saving gifts of blood and to raise awareness of the need for regular blood donations to ensure the quality, safety and availability of blood and blood products for patients in need.

For more information go to https://www.paho.org/hq/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=14307%3Aworld-blood-donor-day-2018&catid=8699%3Awbdd&Itemid=72270&lang=en