First Cannabis Drug Approved
Sativex (dronabinol/cannabidiol), the first prescription drug derived from cannabis, was approved in the United Kingdom to treat moderate to severe spasticity in multiple sclerosis patients who have failed to benefit from other drug therapies. GW Pharmaceuticals, which worked on developing the drug for 11 years, grows the cannabis plants at a secret location in England, according to the company's Web site,
Fentanyl Linked With Fatal AEs
Fentanyl remains among the top 15 drugs suspected in patient deaths, according to a report released in June by the Institute for Safe Medication Practices. The drug was associated with 397 deaths in 2009, ranking 4th behind digoxin (506 deaths), deferasirox (1,320), and rosiglitazone (1,354). In 2009, almost 20,000 medication-associated deaths were reported to the Food and Drug Administration, a 14% increase over 2008, and a 3-fold increase over the past decade, according to the report. In comparison, there were 17,520 deaths by homicide, 33,185 deaths by suicide and 42,031 deaths from motor vehicle accidents in 2007. The report attributed the increase to three factors: increased awareness or “exposing a greater portion of the iceberg;” lack of progress in managing drugs with known risks; and company direct-to-consumer contacts causing a reporting problem, which occurs when treatment is discontinued due to patient death. The full report is available online at
www.ismp.org/quarterwatch/2009Q4.pdf
Head Injuries Increased in 2009
The total number of sports-related head injuries treated in U.S. emergency rooms in 2009 increased by 95,000 over the prior year, according to an analysis of Consumer Product Safety Commission data by the American Association of Neurological Surgeons.
The spike in head injuries was most notable in water sports, bicycling, and baseball/softball. Looking at scenarios causing the injuries, the AANS found that swimming-related injuries were mostly due to “ill-advised, but common practices,” such as diving into shallow water and running on pool decks. Notably, some of the increase in bike-related injuries was due to texting and cell-phone use while riding. Meanwhile, injuries from trampolines showed a slight decline.
Transparency Could Save Money
Greater transparency of health care costs could help reduce spending, according to a recent survey by the Society of Actuaries. The group surveyed more than 600 actuaries and 1,000 consumers. They found that actuaries believe that there is a need for more transparency between doctors and patients, and that prices for treatments need to be more available to patients. Consumer respondents said that more information on medical procedures and options for care could help them make more informed decisions. The majority of health care actuaries also said that reducing the number and severity of medical errors and fighting health care fraud can help curb the costs. Both consumers and actuaries said that a financial incentive through health insurance could be somewhat effective in helping patients live healthier lifestyles.
FDA to Share Drug-Risk Findings
The Food and Drug Administration will post on its Web site summaries of postmarketing safety analyses on recently approved drugs and biologics, including brief discussions of steps being taken to address identified safety issues. The new summaries will cover side effects that might not become apparent until after a medicine becomes available to a large, diverse population, including previously unidentified risks and known adverse events that occur more frequently than expected. The initial reports will contain information on drugs and biologics approved since September 2007, including several drugs for infections, hypertension, and depression, the agency said.
Women Know Little About Stroke
A survey found that few women could name the primary stroke symptoms and many weren't concerned about experiencing a stroke in their lifetimes. Commissioned by HealthyWomen, the National Stroke Association, and the American College of Emergency Physicians, the online survey of about 2,000 adult women found that only 27% could name more than two of the six primary stroke symptoms (sudden numbness or weakness on one side of the face; sudden numbness or weakness in an arm or leg; sudden confusion, or trouble speaking or understanding speech; sudden trouble seeing; sudden trouble walking, dizziness, or loss of balance or coordination; sudden severe headache with no known cause). About 30% were aware that women are at higher risk for stroke than are men.