Alert on PegIntron Redipen Single-dose delivery system from DH

Sun, 26 Sep 2010 20:20:00 +1600

Please find the press release from the Department of Health regarding a alert for your follow-up action.

Yours faithfully,

Iris Chang

President

PPAHK

Pharmacovigilance Alert- Guidelines for Pharmacists on Sibutramine

Fri, 29 Jan 2010 15:52:43 +1600

Further to the reports from the FDA, MHRA and EMA on the increased risk of heart attack and stroke in patients with history of CV diseases when using sibutramine, pharmacists are reminded that the following contra-indications should be excluded from your patient groups when dispensing sibutramine.

1. History of coronary artery disease (heart attack and angina)

2. History of stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA)

3. History of heart arrhythmias

4. History of congestive heart failure

5. History of peripheral arterial disease

6. Uncontrolled hypertension (e.g. > 145/90mmHg)

Pharmacist should highlight the potential serious ADR with their patients, and if possible, pharmacists should check with the physicians issuing the prescription for review.

Should patients complain of any adverse drug reaction from using sibutramine, please promptly report to PPA via 6888 8250 and/or directly to the Dept of Health.

Thank you very much for your kind support for our efforts in pharmacovigilance and risk management for protecting the health of our patients.

link for FDA
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch/SafetyInformation/SafetyAlertsforHumanMedicalProducts/ucm198221.htm

link for MHRA

http://www.mhra.gov.uk/NewsCentre/CON068470?dm_i=EQ,39RR,1SAKM,A77F,1

Yours faithfully,

Iris Chang
President, PPAHK

The Practising Pharmacists Association of Hong Kong

Alert on PegIntron Redipen Single-dose delivery system from DH

Pharmacovigilance Alert- Guidelines for Pharmacists on Sibutramine