Rare diseases: improving access, care and diagnosis People with a rare diseases face challenges as such diseases can take time to be diagnosed. Patients can go through years of testing and mis diagnosis before seeing a specialist who knows what care they require. About 5% of rare diseases have therapies with few cures, at best…
eHealth – a tool providing political and economic advantage!
Can eHealth give a political and economic advantage? A study commissioned by Michał Boni,MEP attempts to explore the eHealth development rate among European countries and how various outcomes and solutions might contribute to more cost efficient healthcare systems. The study was presented at the European Parliament (EPPE) on the 8th June 2017. The study authors…
Protection of Life During Pregnancy Act 2013 – 3rd Annual Report
Press Release from Dept. of Health, Ireland Third Annual Report of notifications in accordance with the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Act 2013 laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas The third annual report on the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Act 2013 has been laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas as required under…
Use in pregnancy and women of childbearing age of valproate
Review of valproate use in pregnancy and women of childbearing age EMA to consider risks of these medicines require further restrictions of use The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has started a review looking at the use of valproate containing medicines in the treatment of women and girls who are pregnant or of childbearing age. These…
Final guidance for treating neuroendocrine tumours (NETs)
Guidance issued by NICE (England) for treating neuroendocrine tumours (NETs) Final guidance recommending everolimus (Infinitor, Novartis) and sunitinib (Sutent, Pfizer) to treat neuroendocrine tumours (NETs). The drugs are recommended as an option for pancreatic NETs that cannot be operated on and have progressed. Everolimus is also recommended as an option for those with NETs of…
Tobacco smoking cessation in France, 2016
Tobacco sales have once again showed a downward trend in 2016 while two exceptional events took place: The arrival of standardised tobacco packaging at retailers and The 1st edition of “Moi(s) sans tabac” campaign. where French public authorities are rallying against tobacco use all the indicators for smoking cessation initiatives. Download English note(4p.) Download French…
International Day Against Drug Abuse
International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, 26 June 2017 This day is an expression of the determination to strengthen action and cooperation to achieve the goal of an international society free of drug abuse. To underline this activity we present some outcomes of cooperation. I-TREND Project: Internet tools for researching new drugs in…
Genetic risk of cancer improve in study.
Breast and ovarian cancers: Larger study improves estimates of genetic risk These findings will help doctors improve their advice and counselling they give for possible treatments and reducing risks through lifestyle changes. Lead author Antonis Antoniou, Ph.D., of Cambridge’s Department of Public Health and Primary Care, said, “We have been able to provide the most…
Draft guidance for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease – copd
NICE published draft guidance recommending roflumilast (Daxas, AstraZeneca) for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In 2012, NICE issued guidance that recommended roflumilast only if patients were taking it as part of a research study. New evidence since that guidance was published led to a positive recommendation for routine use. The company estimates that around 122,000…
Open letter to EU Commission about Health Policy and programmes
Open letter to EU Commission – Health Policy and Programmes To: Jean-Claude Juncker, President, European Commission cc: Frans Timmermans, First Vice-President, European Commission, Vytenis Andruikaitis, Commissioner, DG Health & Food Safety, Günther Oettinger, Commissioner, DG Budget & Human Resources, Carlos Moedas, Commissioner, Research, Science & Innovation EU Health Collaboration is crucial for Europe’s future Dear…