[e-med] Le "WHO DRUG INFORMATION" Volume 20 Number 4

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[même si ces documents existent seulement en anglais, cela peut vous intéresser. Le document est téléchargeable à cette adresse http://www.who.int/druginformation
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WHO DRUG INFORMATION highlights topics of current concern, recent

regulatory decisions and standard-setting activities, with a focus on the processes linking regulatory activity to therapeutic practice. It presents selected contributions portraying a variety of viewpoints from different disciplines and pharmaceutical sciences. WHO DRUG INFORMATION can be viewed at:  http://www.who.int/druginformation

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WHO DRUG INFORMATION, Volume 20 Number 4

In its final issue for 2006, WHO DRUG INFORMATION presents an opening article on the emergence of extensively resistant tuberculosis and the current status of TB medicines development by leading research institutions. Sharing the spotlight in this issue, an authored study proposes an increased role for prescribed and defined daily doses in the rational use of medicines and provides an example of how this has enhanced the collection and evaluation of data for asthma and COPD medicines.

Topics of Current Interest describes latest efforts to provide essential medicines through the establishment of several partnerships and initiatives, while WHO and UNICEF are making progress through implementation of their strategy to improve access to paediatric medicines.

Extensive information is provided in the section on Safety and Efficacy Issues concerning the latest signals, reports of adverse drug reactions, and labeling changes. This is complemented by Regulatory Action and News which provides the most recent decisions from regulatory authorities around the world having a particular impact on the international provision and movement of medicinal products.

The issue is completed with summaries of Recent Publications, Information andEevents considered of interest to readers, and concludes with Proposed INN List 96.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Medicines for Tuberculosis 
Emergence of extensively-resistant tuberculosis ... 239 
Development of new drugs for tuberculosis ... 240 

Safety and Efficacy Issues 
Teratogenicity of antiepileptic drugs ... 246 
Meningococcal vaccine and Guillain Barré syndrome ... 247 
Panama mystery illness traced to diethylene glycol ... 248 
Imatinib and cardiac dysfunction ... 248 
Online reporting of adverse reactions ... 249 
SSRI-tricyclic antidepressant interaction ... 249 
Telithromycin: hepatic events and myasthenia gravis 250 
Bioglue®: chronic inflammation ... 250 
Beware the triple wammy! ... 251 
Colchicine: safe use is critical ... 252 
Nitrofurantoin: monitor lung function in long-term use ... 252 
Proton pump inhibitors and interstitial nephritis ... 253 
Package insert changes ... 253 
Leflunomide and peripheral neuropathy ... 256 
Exetimibe and depression? ... 256 
Sirolimus: acute rejection in renal transplant patients ... 257 
Safety update for oseltamivir ... 257 
Darifenacin hydrobromide for overactive bladder: what advantage? ... 258 
Tigecycline for serious infections ... 259 

Rational Use of Medicines 
The role of prescribed and defined daily doses in pharmacoepidemiology ... 261 
Asthma/COPD drugs: PDDs are critical to determining DDDs ... 261 

Topics of Current Interest 
Development of medicines for neonates ... 265 
Plan for paediatric essential medicines ... 265 
200 African scientists join forces ... 266 
New strategy to fight tropical diseases ... 267 
ICH efforts to improve processes ... 267 
Anticounterfeiting Taskforce develops strategy ... 268 

Regulatory Action and News 
Bevacizumab approved for lung cancer ... 271 
Risperidone for irritability associated with autism ... 271 
New treatment for chronic hepatitis B ... 271 
Influenza virus vaccine composition: 2007 southern hemisphere ... 272 
Sitagliptin phosphate for diabetes ... 272 
Dronedarone: marketing application withdrawn ... 273 
Repaglidine marketing authorization extension request withdrawn ... 273 
Abetimus marketing authorization request withdrawn ... 273 
Imatinab mesilate: revised indications ... 273 

Recent Publications, Information and Events 
Vigiflow Online for pharmacovigilance ... 275 
Scientific plant names and synonyms ... 275 
Pharmaceutical inventory control software ... 276 
Reporting adverse reactions and continuing education ... 276 
Good governance in medicines procurement ... 276 
WHO public hearings on innovation and intellectual property ... 277 
Pharmaceutical Forum: better information, access and prices ... 278 
Pharmacy education symposium: multidisciplinary practice ... 278 
Pharmaceutical policy analysis conference in 2007 ... 279 
Final guidance on quality systems ... 279 
Newly-available guidance documents ... 280 

Proposed International Nonproprietary Names 
List 96 ... 281