Drug information by public health and regulatory institutions: Results of an 8-country survey in Europe
Language English Country Ireland Media print-electronic
Document type Journal Article
PubMed
28073580
DOI
10.1016/j.healthpol.2016.12.007
PII: S0168-8510(16)30350-5
Knihovny.cz E-resources
- Keywords
- Added therapeutic value, Europe, Evidence-based drug information, Medicines regulatory agencies, Public health institutions,
- MeSH
- Drug Information Services * MeSH
- Prescription Drugs standards MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Product Surveillance, Postmarketing methods standards MeSH
- Surveys and Questionnaires MeSH
- Data Collection MeSH
- Consumer Product Safety * standards MeSH
- Adverse Drug Reaction Reporting Systems standards MeSH
- Public Health MeSH
- Government Regulation MeSH
- Check Tag
- Humans MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Geographicals
- Europe MeSH
- Names of Substances
- Prescription Drugs MeSH
PURPOSE: To evaluate the framework of drug information produced by public health and regulatory institutions in Europe. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We carried out a short survey asking editors of ISDB bulletins of the European region to indicate the main sources of drug information provided by public health and regulatory authorities in their countries, the specific kind of information produced and their opinions about strengths and weaknesses of such information. The availability of evaluations about the added therapeutic value of drugs and of tools facilitating the implementation of such information were particularly addressed and checked on the websites of those institutions. RESULTS: Answers pertaining to eight countries were available. Regulatory information and safety alerts are generally available, but just UK and Germany stand out by showing quite an advanced framework of evidence-based, comparative drug information for health professionals, decision-makers and for the general public. National plans to implement evidence-based drug information seem lacking. CONCLUSION: More efforts are warranted to develop sharp formats to make evidence-based drug information easier to access, understand and put in context, showing the place in therapy of medicines and their added therapeutic value. Harmonization of different sources, also at European level, would be important to favor their access and limit dispersion. Appropriate tools and specific plans are then necessary to favor implementation of information materials.
Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin London UK
Geneesmiddelenbulletin Utrecht The Netherlands
Head of hematology oncology and cancer immunology HELIOS Klinikum Berlin Buch Germany
Health and Welfare Directorate Emilia Romagna Bologna Italy
Pharmaceutical department ULSS 20 Verona Italy
Servicio Navarro de Salud Sección de Información y Asesoría del Medicamento Pamplona Spain
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