Tag Archives: European Medicines Agency

Importance of UK collaboration with the EU The partnerships between the UK and other EU Member States significantly increase the impact and influence of the EU’s science and research activity. When collaborating with the UK, the share of EU co-authored publications in the top 10% of highly cited publications in medical and health research is higher.2 The UK is also a top five collaboration partner for each of the other 27 Member States,3 and contributed almost 20% of the total research work carried out within EU health programmes between 2007–2016.2 European collaboration is particularly important in some fields – stratified medicine a

EVINCI study completed The prevalence of “significant” coronary artery disease in patients with chest pain symptoms is lower than expected in Europe, according to preliminary findings from the The EValuation of INtegrated Cardiac Imaging (EVINCI) study. Once the final analysis is completed, the EVINCI study is expected to demonstrate that performing adequate non-invasive imaging screening of patients with suspected coronary artery disease could safely avoid invasive procedures in 75 out of 100 patients.  The study will have sufficient power to answer the question of which is the most cost-effective non-invasive imaging strategy for the j

The Agency has stated that because of the increased risk of liver, lung, and cardiovascular adverse events, dronedarone, should only be prescribed after alternative treatment options have been considered. It advises that patients currently taking dronedarone should have their treatment reassessed by their physician at their next scheduled visit. Dronedarone is currently approved for the treatment of paroxysmal or persistent atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter. The restriction is based on a review of the PALLAS trial, which was stopped early because of an increased risk of cardiovascular events among patients on dronedarone, as well as other

Bayer has announced that the oral anticoagulant, rivaroxaban, has reduced ischaemic events but increased bleeding in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients in the large-scale trial ATLAS-ACS 2 TIMI 51. The company said the drug was associated with a statistically significant reduction in the primary composite end point of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, and stroke versus placebo. However, it was also associated with a significant increase in the primary safety end point: major bleeding events not associated with coronary artery bypass surgery. Bayer says the results will be presented “as soon as possible at a forthcoming scient

In the UK, ticagrelor will be priced at £54.60 for a 28-day supply. The National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence is currently reviewing the data on ticagrelor and is expected to issue guidance in July 2011. The US Food and Drug Administration has, however, delayed approving ticagrelor. It has requested additional analyses of the PLATO trial.

NHA joins with BHS The Nurses Hypertension Association (NHA) has become part of the British Hypertension Society (BHS) after the BHS decided to invite nurses working in the field of hypertension and cardiovascular disease to be full members of the society. “This acknowledges the shift of care towards specialist nurses, particularly in primary care,” said Naomi Stetson, former head of the NHA. “In the current economic climate, it also made good business sense to have one united organisation.” All members of the NHA are now full BHS members and so the NHA has disbanded. “There is a strong Nurses Working Party within the society, which