Information from the FAMHP :
- 25.03.2020 - Coronavirus: Belgian guideline for the management of clinical trials during the coronavirus pandemic
- 21.03.2020 - Coronavirus: European guidelines for the management of clinical trials during the coronavirus pandemic
- 20.03.2020 - Coronavirus: ban on the sale of rapid diagnostic tests due to the risk of misinterpretation
- 19.03.2020 - Coronavirus: do not pointlessly stock up on medicinal products
- 18.03.2020 - Coronavirus: the FAMHP is taking measures to guarantee continuity of treatment for patients suffering from chronic illnesses
- 16.03.2020 - A working group (Task Force) should come up with immediate solutions to remedy the shortage of protective equipment and medical equipment on the Belgian market
- 16.03.2020 - Coronavirus: paracetamol remains the first choice for cases of fever and pain
- 16.03.2020 - Directive on the direct dispensing of medicinal products to patients in the context of clinical trials
- 16.03.2020 - Corona virus: first contact your general practitioner and/or pharmacist by phone if you suspect you have symptoms
General information on www.info-coronavirus.be
Information for healthcare professionals via Sciensano
News
In order to achieve greater patient participation, the FAMHP has decided to extend its survey on the use of benzodiazepines and similar in the context of sleep disorders in Belgium by two months. The survey will therefore be accessible until 19 May 2020 inclusive.
In order to avoid misinterpretation of negative results, the FAMHP has banned the use of rapid coronavirus (COVID-19) diagnostic tests for six months.
Coronavirus: Belgian guideline for the management of clinical trials during the coronavirus pandemic
A national guideline is available to complement European guidelines for the management of clinical trials during the coronavirus pandemic.
During its meeting of March 2020, the Pharmacovigilance Risk Assessment Committee (PRAC) of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) recommended the suspension of ulipristal acetate for uterine fibroids during ongoing review of liver injury risk. Furthermore, the PRAC made new testing and treatment recommendations for fluorouracil, capecitabine, tegafur and flucytosine, and started a review of certain ifosfamide cancer medicines.
Certain stocks of over-the-counter medicinal products have been selling out rapidly in Belgian pharmacies recently as many citizens are stocking up on medicinal products. There are still sufficient wholesale stocks of medicinal products in Belgium, but to avoid a shortage, the FAMHP asks all citizens not to pointlessly stock up on medicinal products.
The FAMHP is closely monitoring stocks of medicinal products used in the fight against COVID-19. Certain of these medicinal products are essential to treat patients with chronic diseases (e.g. lupus, rhumatoid arthritis, HIV, etc.). The FAMHP is taking measures to guarantee the availability of these essential medicines.
If you have symptoms that might indicate an infection linked to coronavirus, paracetamol remains the first choice for cases of fever and pain.
Due to the coronavirus problem and potentially overloaded hospitals, it may be difficult or undesirable for a patient participating in a clinical trial to obtain their investigational medicinal product (IMP) at the hospital. The FAMHP provides guidelines on this subject.