Rosiglitazone no longer available in UK

19th October 2010

Further to our news item on the 7^th October on the suspension of the licence for rosiglitazone, the two preparations containing rosiglitazone (Avandia and Avandamet, GSK) will no longer be available after the 21^st October. GSK is now in the process of recalling stocks. For further information see the GSK website link below.

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Annual evidence update on GI symptoms

10th October 2010

The UK NHS Evidence supportive and palliative care section (formerly National Library for Health) has produced its third annual update on the evidence for treating gastrointestinal symptoms, specifically anorexia and cachexia.

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Update: propofol monograph

8th October 2010

The propofol monograph has been fully updated and has been published in the Journal of Pain and Symptom Management as a therapeutic review. This version supersedes the PCF3 (first print, 2007) and the website version (dated June, 2008).

Wilcock A and Twycross R (2010) Therapeutic Reviews: Propofol. Journal of Pain and Symptom Management. 40: 466—470.

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Booklet of copmpatibility charts now available

8th October 2010

We are pleased to announce that a ring bound booklet containing all the palliativedrugs.com compatibility charts is now available!

All 14 charts from the website plus some additional compatibility data for oxycodone 50mg/mL have been reproduced in a ring bound booklet on waterproof specialist paper and are a handy size for the clinic room or to put in a syringe driver out of hours box. Napp Pharmaceuticals Ltd UK have sponsored the production of these and they are available free of charge from your local Napp representative (01223 424444).

We hope you find them useful, we would be grateful for any feedback on improvements or suggestions to hq@palliativedrugs.com. The on line version of the charts can be found from the link below.

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Rosiglitazone licence suspended

7th October 2010

Rosiglitazone will cease to be available for patients in the UK and Europe within the next few months. This follows the conclusions of the Europe-wide review saying that the scientific evidence shows that rosiglitazone is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disorders and that the benefits of treatment no longer outweigh the risks. The products affected are Avandia (rosiglitazone) and Avandamet (rosiglitazone and metformin combination). Patients should have their treatment reviewed at the earliest opportunity and should be swapped to an alternative preparation if appropriate. Further information including a letter and advice for healthcare professionals, question and answer document for patients and updated NICE guidance is available from the MHRA website link below.

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World Hospice and Palliative Care Day - 9 October 2010

5th October 2010

The theme for 2010 is 'Sharing the care', highlighting how good working partnerships between service providers, governments, hospitals, people living with the illness, carers and community members are vital to the provision of quality care.

World day website