News FAMHP

The Falsified Medicines Directive (FMD), sets forth a number of measures to prevent the introduction of falsified medicines on the market. Thus, all packages of medicines that fall under this regulation must have a unique code and an anti-tampering device (ATD). On packages that do not fall under this obligation, marketing authorization holders can voluntarily attach an ATD. This information is now available in the online medicines database.

At its July 2019 meeting, EMA’s paediatric committee (PDCO) elected Koenraad Norga from Belgium as its new chair, for a three-year mandate starting in September. Professor Norga will replace Dr Dirk Mentzer who is retiring as PDCO Chair, having served the maximum of two three-year mandates.

When reporting side effects in the product information, one can now refer to the FAMHP’s post box address.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (U.S. FDA) has recognized all 28 EU member states. This means that starting 11 July 2019, the United States (US) and the European Union (EU) have fully implemented the mutual recognition agreement (MRA) for inspections of manufacturing sites for certain human medicines in their respective territories.

The FAMHP is updating the guidance document to assist clinical trials sponsors as part of the pilot project for clinical trials in Belgium.

Last year, the e-PIL pilot project on the electronic patient information leaflet started. Hospital pharmacists will soon receive a link to an online survey to evaluate the project, one year after its start.

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) is reassessing the risk of meningioma on medicines based on cyproterone, a risk that has long been known to medical professionals. A French study suggests that the risk of meningioma, even though small, can be greater in women who have taken high doses of cyproterone over long periods of time.

GSK can only produce 40% of the quantity of Clamoxyl I.V.-I.M. required each year because of a shortage of raw materials. The Federal Agency for Medicines and Health Products (FAMHP) and the National Institute for Health and Disability Insurance (RIZIV) are issuing recommendations for hospital pharmacists and hospital-based specialists.

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has started a re-evaluation of medicinal products that contain leuprorelin (sold in Belgium under the name of DEPO-ELIGARD®). This re-evaluation comes in the wake of reports of errors during preparation and administration. As a result, some patients have not been able to receive their medication in sufficient doses, rendering their treatment less effective.

The Federal Service for Public Health, Food Chain Safety and Environment and the Federal Agency for Medicines and Health Products (FAMHP) want to know your opinion on vaccine plan B/BE/19/BVW4 which will be using a genetically modified vaccine against Ebola. This vaccine is meant to protect Belgian employees of Doctors Without Borders from Ebola in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. You can share your opinion until July 25.