E-DRUG: Independent Drug and Healthcare Newsletter for January 2021
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Newsletter, January 2021
Independant information by and for healthcare professionals
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In Prescrire's Spotlight this month :
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FEATURED REVIEW
SSRI antidepressants and pregnancy: long-term neuropsychiatric disorders in exposed children?
Data available in 2017 suggested that in utero exposure to SSRI antidepressants increases the risk of autism. Do we have a clearer idea in 2020 of the long-term neuropsychiatric harms to the unborn child posed by the use of SSRI antidepressants during pregnancy?
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FREE DOWNLOAD
Dasatinib (Sprycel° and other brands) in children with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia
Dasatinib has been granted marketing authorisation in the European Union as first-line therapy added to chemotherapy for children with Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.
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NEWS UPDATE
The covid-19 messenger RNA vaccine tozinameran (Comirnaty°, from Pfizer and BioNTech) in elderly patients: limited data, many uncertainties.
The vaccination campaign against the covid-19 epidemic is launched in late December 2020. The first populations to whom the French authorities have chosen to offer this covid-19 messenger RNA vaccine (marketed by the pharmaceutical companies Pfizer and BioNTech) are nursing home residents and certain health professionals who work in these facilities. What are the main data from the clinical evaluation of this vaccine in this population?
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EDITORIAL
A two-step approach
In the midst of the covid-19 crisis, Prescrire is fulfilling its mission via a two-step approach. Rapidly sharing key information, distinguishing fact from hypothesis and opinion. Then helping healthcare professionals to make rational choices, based on documented evidence rather than wishful thinking. Taking care not to confuse urgent action with undue haste.
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NEW PRODUCTS
Treatment-resistant depression: avoid esketamine (Spravato°)
Esketamine nasal spray (Spravato°) has been authorised for use in so-called "treatment-resistant" depression. Its efficacy is uncertain, and its harm-benefit balance is unfavourable due to serious adverse effects including neuropsychiatric and cardiac disorders.
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OUTLOOK
Adverse effects of cancer drugs: often downplayed in articles reporting the results of clinical trials
The adverse effects that occurred during clinical trials are often omitted in articles, or described using subjective terms.
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OUTLOOK
Mediator°: all wrong from the very start
In June 2020, at the end of France's Mediator° trial, the two prosecutors concluded that all the defendants were guilty of the offences with which they were charged. The judges' ruling is expected for 2021.
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COMING SOON
Enjoy these features, and more, in our upcoming issues
Ebola vaccine rVSV-Zebov during an outbreak of Ebola virus disease * Blinatumomab in acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in remission: not acceptable * Smoking cessation: toxic dose levels of certain drugs * Treatment of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism * Drugs to avoid in 2021
Prescrire International <international@prescrire.org>