News FAMHP

Since 1 October 2022, all Summary Notification Information Format documents submitted with applications for clinical trials with medicinal products, entirely or partly composed of genetically modified organisms covered by Directive 2001/18/EC for deliberate release, must be submitted through the E-Submission Food Chain platform.

The FAMHP reminds marketing authorisation holders for medicinal products for human use to register a single point of contact (i-SPOC) for the supply and availability of medicinal products through the IRIS platform of the EMA.

The new Clinical Trial Regulation 536/2014 (CTR) entered into force on 31 January 2022. This new regulation on clinical trials applications of medicines for human use aims to simplify administration and harmonise legislation within the European Union. On 31 January 2023, a new transition phase will start and from then on all initial clinical trial applications have to be submitted via CTIS. The FAMHP is organising two information sessions on the clinical trials regulation.

Distributors and vendors of category 1 or 2 chemicals must require the buyer to provide a customer declaration of specific use. This is legally required by Regulation (EC) No 273/2004 and aims to protect trade in drug precursors (substances that can be used to make drugs).

The availability of appropriate antimicrobial medicines gives doctors more options to provide the best treatment to their patients. Its availability is also important in the fight against antimicrobial resistance. Arikayce is an antimicrobial that was recently marketed in Belgium.

During its December 2022 meeting, the Pharmacovigilance Risk Assessment Committee of the European Medicines Agency has concluded its review of medicines containing pholcodine and has recommended the revocation of the European marketing authorisations for these medicines.

For several years, health authorities in European countries have noted a worrying increase in pregabalin abuse. Here are some reminders of the risks of misuse, abuse, and addiction with pregabalin.

The European Innovation Network (EU IN) has launched phase 2 of the simultaneous national scientific advice (SNSA) pilot project. SNSA can be used when an applicant wants to obtain national scientific advice from more than one national competent authority (NCA) at the same time. The format is designed to enhance the quality and consistency of such advice. Following endorsement by the Heads of Medicines Agencies (HMA), phase 2 of the SNSA pilot project will run for a two-year period until the end of 2024. Phase 2 incorporates an optimised procedure to maximise the benefits for both applicants and competent authorities.

During the end-of-year period, the FAMHP will be closed from Monday 26 December 2022 through Friday 30 December 2022. Deadlines have been set for the submission of different types of dossiers.

During its November 2022 meeting, the Pharmacovigilance Risk Assessment Committee of the European Medicines Agency recommended measures to minimise risk of serious side effects with Janus kinase inhibitors for chronic inflammatory disorders. Furthermore, the PRAC recommended to add heavy menstrual bleeding to the product information as a side effect of the mRNA COVID-19 vaccines Comirnaty and Spikevax, and to add a warning to the product information for ustekinumab (Stelara).