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Health Canada – Several GlaxoSmithKline Inc. vaccines: Potential Risk of Underdosing

Audiences

Healthcare professionals including family physicians, pediatricians, pharmacists, nurses, nurse practitioners, physicians’ assistants, and those working in travel clinics.

Key messages

  • This information is applicable to the following vaccines: BOOSTRIX, BOOSTRIX-POLIO, ENGERIX-B, HAVRIX, HAVRIX Junior, INFANRIX-IPV, INFANRIX-IPV/HIB, INFANRIX-hexa, TWINRIX and TWINRIX Junior (see section “Products affected*”).
  • Leakages have occurred from ceramic coated tip (CCT) syringes used for several GlaxoSmithKline Inc. vaccines in Canada.  The leakages occurred at the connection of the syringe tip and the needle hub during vaccine preparation or administration at an approximate rate of 3 per 100,000 syringes distributed. The integrity of the syringe and sterility of the contents were not compromised. 
  • Administration of vaccines from leaking syringes can result in a potential risk of underdosing, that may leave patients inadequately protected from disease after vaccination (see section “Information for healthcare professionals”). 
  • Healthcare professionals are advised:
    • not to use the syringe when the leakage occurs during reconstitution of lyophilized vaccines. 
    • when the leakage occurs during vaccine injection and the individual received less than the standard dose, the decision to revaccinate should take into account both the potential benefits and risks associated with administering a repeated dose (see section “Information for healthcare professionals”). 
  • GlaxoSmithKline Inc. has been working with Health Canada to provide information regarding the leaking syringes for vaccines and the corrective actions implemented. The introduction of improved CCT syringes on the Canadian market is anticipated in 2018. However, both improved and affected CCT syringes are expected to be on the market until the end of 2019, the estimated time for using up the potentially affected syringes.

Issue

There have been reports of leakage from CCT syringes used for several GlaxoSmithKline Inc. vaccines during vaccine preparation or administration. Although the leakage does not pose a concern for the vaccine sterility, there is a potential risk of underdosing associated with administration of a vaccine from a leaking syringe that may leave patients inadequately protected from disease after vaccination.

For more information go to http://healthycanadians.gc.ca/recall-alert-rappel-avis/hc-sc/2018/66674a-eng.php 

 
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FDA: Advancing the Science of Nanotechnology in Drug Development

Xiaoming Xu, Ph.D., Senior Staff Fellow, Office of Testing and Research, Office of Pharmaceutical Quality, CDER

The use of nanotechnology in products regulated by the FDA has been ongoing for several decades and has included foods, cosmetics, medical devices and drugs. Within the purview of FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER), there is great diversity in drug products containing nanomaterials.

There has been a steady increase in the number of approved drug products containing nanomaterials, including investigational new drugs, new drug applications, and abbreviated new drug applications (commonly known as generics). More than 60 applications have been approved since the early 1970s, and interest continues to rise.

Drug products containing nanomaterials are unique in several ways because they may take on different chemical, physical, or biological properties compared to other types of drugs. In some instances, this may impact the quality, safety, or efficacy of the product. For example, drug products containing nanomaterials may follow a different pathway in the body compared to a small molecule drug. After a drug product formulated as a nanomaterial enters the bloodstream, it could interact with specialized immune cells called macrophages, which engulf and transport a drug to the location for which it has been programmed, such as where bacteria, fungi, or viruses reside. These areas are typically difficult to reach for a small molecule.

In another example, a drug formulated as a nanomaterial may have a special “coating” that prevents it from interacting with immune cells so that the drug can circulate in the bloodstream for prolonged periods of time until it reaches tumor tissues. The ability to target areas of the body and bypass others can significantly reduce the risk of side effects, such as toxicity to nontarget organs, and potentially increase the effectiveness of the treatment. For these reasons, nanomaterials are most frequently used in the treatment of cancer or infections. Formulations like liposomes, nanocrystals and nano-emulsions are among the most common types of drug products containing nanomaterials being approved.

(…)

For more information go to https://www.fda.gov/Drugs/NewsEvents/ucm605837.htm

 
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Paraguay: Consultores de OPS supervisan manejo de la Tuberculosis en la Red de Barrio Obrero con estrategia de monitoreo y farmacovigilancia de la Tuberculosis Drogorresistente.

Consultores de la Organización Panamericana de la Salud-OPS/OMS, en compañía de referentes del Programa Nacional de Control de la Tuberculosis del Ministerio de Salud, realizaron una visita de monitoreo para la verificación del “Manejo Clínico y Programático de Tuberculosis Drogorresistente”, en la Red de Barrio Obrero.

En este sentido, se hicieron presentes en la sede del Hospital General Barrio Obrero donde fueron recibidos por autoridades y responsables del Programa de TB, para luego trasladarse hasta otros establecimientos componentes  de la Red de Barrio Obrero. Como los servicios de San Alfonso, Centro de Salud N° 8 y la Unidad de la penitenciaría de Tacumbú.

Durante el recorrido verificaron expedientes clínicos de pacientes afectados por Tuberculosis Drogorresistente, y monitorearon la organización de los laboratorios que procesan las muestras para el diagnóstico de TB, como también los avances en la implementación de fármaco-vigilancia activa, para supervisar y evaluar la respuesta de los tratamientos.

Los resultados del monitoreo serán presentados al Ministro de Salud, confirmaron los visitantes.

Fuente:  https://www.mspbs.gov.py/portal/14739/consultores-de-ops-supervisan-manejo-de-la-tuberculosis-en-la-red-de-barrio-obrero.html

 
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El Salvador: DNM participa en encuentro Regional de Autoridades Regulatorias

La Directora Nacional de Medicamentos, Dra. Leonor Morales de Acosta participó en la reunión de la Red Centroamericana de Autoridades Reguladoras de Medicamentos y Otras Tecnologías.

La reunión se desarrolló en República Dominicana, los días 23 y 24 de abril. En dicho encuentro participaron las Autoridades Regulatorias de Centroamérica y República Dominicana y se abordaron temas como la Integración Regional de la Salud y la Validación de la Estrategia de Medicamentos para Centroamérica y República Dominicana.

Además, se discutieron las brechas regulatorias en los países de la región y se hicieron los planteamientos de las líneas de trabajo integrado, estas líneas de trabajo no solo fortalecerán las acciones regulatorias de las autoridades participantes, sino que también la creación de una propuesta de herramienta regional para combatir la falsificación de medicamentos.

http://www.medicamentos.gob.sv/index.php/es/secciones-m/noticias-dnm/258-autoridades-regulatorias

 
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ANMAT: Publication of Regulatory Science Journal No.2

[Original text in Spanish]

ANMAT: Publicación de la Revista Ciencia Reguladora Nº 2

ANMAT presenta el segundo número de “Ciencia Reguladora”, la revista que comunica aquellos trabajos científicos y de divulgación desarrollados por todas las áreas del organismo.

A continuación están los contenidos de la publicación:

  • Desarrollo y validación de una metodología de cuantificación de fluconazol por UHPLC para emplear en el ensayo de disolución de comprimidos
  • Ciclofosfamida inyectable: Primera investigación del Programa de Vigilancia Farmacéutica Activa
  • Verificación intralaboratorio de la norma iso 6579: Método horizontal para la detección de salmonella spp. en fórmula en polvo para lactantes
  • Revisión Bibliográfica Vacuna de Hepatitis B: Productos registrados en Argentina y métodos generales de valoración de potencia
  • Enfoque Regulatorio Dispositivos de tabaco sin combustión
  • La aplicación de la nanotecnología en medicamentos: Oportunidades y desafíos
  • El observatorio ANMAT y la Ciencia Reguladora: Saber dónde se quiere ir…
  • Estado de Situación La Comisión de Productos para la Salud. Marco, misión y estado de la convergencia regulatoria de los estados parte del Mercosur

Acceso a la revista por medio del enlace: http://www.anmat.gov.ar/comunicados/Ciencia_Reguladora_N2-Abril_2018.pdf

 
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Perú: New Director General is committed to promoting the Level IV Certification process of PAHO / WHO

[Original text in Spanish]

With the commitment to redouble efforts to ensure that Peruvians have access to quality, safe and effective medicines, the pharmacist Enma Violeta Córdova Espinoza, assumed the position of Director General of the Directorate General of Medicines, Supplies and Drugs (Digemid) of the Ministry of Health (Minsa).

During his presentation to the workers of the institution, Córdova said that his management will be characterized by promoting a joint and comprehensive work with the servers of Digemid, in order to strengthen its regulatory role and contribute to the health care of Peruvians.

His management will be characterized by dialogue and open doors, he announced that efforts will be redoubled in order to achieve recognition as “National Regulatory Authority of Regional Reference for medicines and biological products Level IV”, the highest rating awarded the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO / WHO).

The former director general of the Digemid Susana Vásquez, thanked the support of the institution’s servants during her administration and highlighted the commitment they demonstrate to the health of our population.

Source: http://www.digemid.minsa.gob.pe/main.asp?Seccion=3&IdItem=2128

 
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Central American Network of Regulatory Authorities for Medicines and Other Technologies (RedCAM) meets in the Dominican Republic

Santo Domingo. In the meeting, RedCAM will address key points referred to the “Regional Strategy” for access, quality and regulatory mechanisms to ensure the rational use of medicines by the countries of the region.

The meeting is held as part of the activities of the Regulatory Week and within the framework of the Presidency Pro-Tempore of COMISCA, which holds the Dominican Republic until June 2018.

The Minister of Health, Altagracia Guzmán Marcelino and Dr. María De los Ángeles Campos, on behalf of the Executive Secretariat of COMISCA, Dr. Alejandro Solís Martínez, opened the meeting.

Both agreed on the challenges faced by the Regulatory Authorities of Medicines of Central America and the Dominican Republic RedCAM, such as the strengthening of the role of stewardship and regulation, an essential element for compliance with public health.

Source: http://www.msp.gob.do/RedCAM-se-reune-Republica-Dominicana