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Spontaneous reports in Italy during 2014
Focus Farmacovigilanza 2015;88(5):3
We have analysed the spontaneous report situation in Italy during 2014. As with last year, the data will be published in detail by AIFA in the OSMED Report, which will be available from next September, but in this review, we can disclose the most relevant data. In 2014, aside from over 4,000...
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Adverse reactions to cancer drugs: spontaneous reporting and detecting signs
Focus Farmacovigilanza 2015;87(4):3
Although spontaneous reporting is considered the most effective tool for identifying adverse reactions to known- and clinically significant drugs, in several areas of medicine this method can have limitations linked to the peculiarities of the patients being treated and the drugs used. One such...
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The hidden phenomenon of high dose benzodiazepine use
Focus Farmacovigilanza 2015;86(1):3
For over 50 years, benzodiazepines have been a veritable "best seller". The key to their continued success is due not only to their easy management and widespread prescription, but also to their potential to induce dependence and tolerance, which is why their use is only recommended for a very...
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Clarification regarding osteonecrosis of the jaw
Focus Farmacovigilanza 2014;85(11):3
The purpose of this article is to update readers about innovations on osteonecrosis of the jaw, but above all, to outline more clearly some of the fundamental aspects that distinguish osteonecrosis of the jaw in the context of oncology, and in the context of osteoporosis. Differences in the...
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Neuropsychiatric disorders from statins
Focus Farmacovigilanza 2014;84(5):4
The effects on the central nervous system Over the years, evidence has emerged supporting the hypothesis that statins, which are effective as primary and secondary prevention of coronary heart disease due to their cholesterol-lowering action,1 can be beneficial for several diseases affecting the...
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Adverse reactions to self-medication: is self-care effective?
Focus Farmacovigilanza 2014;84(5):3
Self-care is not always effective, and this does not only apply to medication wrongly taken because it is left over from old prescriptions, or discontinued or changed in an arbitrary and inappropriate manner, but also self-medication or do-it-yourself medicines. Modern medicine is often excessive...
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Vitamin B12 deficiency and gastric secretion inhibitors
Focus Farmacovigilanza 2014;83(7):3
Cobalamine or vitamin B12 is a hydrosoluble vitamin, essential in the process of DNA synthesis, haematopoiesis and neuronal cell proliferation and maturation. Vitamin B12 deficiency is a relatively common condition, especially in elderly population, and is associated with potentially severe...
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How to (not) conduct a systematic review: the case of bevacizumab and ranibizumab
Focus Farmacovigilanza 2014;83(7):4
It was recently published in the International Journal of Ophthalmology a systematic review of the literature that compares the efficacy and safety of bevacizumab and ranibizumab in the treatment of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Zhang and his colleagues collected data from 4 randomized...
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The unsustainable success of spontaneous report
Focus Farmacovigilanza 2014;82(5):2
Once again this year the Italian Medicines Agency (AIFA) will publish the data of 2013 spontaneous reporting within the OsMed report, which will be presented during the summer. While waiting for this detailed report, let us analyse the situation on Focus Farmacovigilanza as we do every year. Even...
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The story of the 180 million euros antitrust sanction for Roche and Novartis
Focus Farmacovigilanza 2014;82(5):4
The facts On February 27, 2014 - as reported by newspapers and newscasts - the Italian Antitrust sanctioned Roche and Novartis with an overall fine equivalent to 180 million euros. According to the Antitrust motivation, the two multinationals would have illicitly agreed to prevent the diffusion of...
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