Current state of biologic pharmacovigilance in the European Union: improvements are needed

Introduction: Pharmacovigilance is essential to monitoring the safety profiles of authorized medicines. Compared with small-molecule drugs, biological drugs are more complex, more susceptible to structural variability due to manufacturing processes, and have the potential to induce immune-related reactions, underscoring the importance of safety monitoring for these products. Although highly similar to reference products, biosimilars are not expected to be structurally identical. For these reasons, proper reporting of potential adverse drug reactions (ADRs) using distinguishable names and batch numbers is essential for accurate tracing of all biological drugs. To address the need for robust pharmacovigilance, the European Parliament and Council of the European Union provided legislation regarding pharmacovigilance of biologics in 2010.

Areas covered: This narrative review examines the current state of pharmacovigilance for biologics in the European Union (EU) and discusses relevant information on pharmacovigilance of biosimilars, the current EU pharmacovigilance system, and areas that could be improved.

Expert opinion: Although steps have been taken to improve pharmacovigilance of biologics in the EU, several enhancements can still be made, including additional training for healthcare professionals on ADR reporting, the use of 2D barcodes that enhance traceability, and an open discussion of potentially missed opportunities in the pharmacovigilance of biosimilars.     

“T” is for “transgender”: an analysis of children’s picture books featuring transgender protagonists and narrators

ABSTRACT

This project examined 55 picture books featuring transgender, gender expansive or genderqueer protagonists or narrators published between 2008 and 2018. The purpose of the study was to determine how this genre of children’s literature supports and challenges four gender assumptions: the gender binary, gender essentialism, sex/gender congruency and gender stability. Additionally, this critical analysis explored misgendering within this genre and themes of social rejection and acceptance. Protagonists and narrators were permitted a degree of gender nonconformity, however, the majority of picture books missed opportunities for a more complete exploration of gender possibilities.     

运用胰门板降低技术取出嵌顿于胰腺段胆总管的巨大结石

目的 探讨胰门板降低技术处理胰腺段胆总管巨大结石的应用价值。方法 回顾性分析上海交通大学医学院附属仁济医院近期收治的1 例利用胰门板降低技术取出胰腺段胆总管巨大结石的患者临床资料，并复习文献资料。结果 该例患者胰腺段胆总管内嵌顿一颗直径约2.5 cm质硬结石，纵行切开十二指肠上段胆总管前壁后采用液电碎石仪和取石钳难以碎石和取石，最终笔者首次利用胰门板降低技术显露胰腺段胆总管前壁后，继续纵行切开胰腺段胆总管才取出结石。术后经抗感染、补液等对症支持治疗痊愈出院，随访1 年半无结石复发和胆管狭窄。结论 胰门板降低技术可安全显露胰腺段胆总管，有助于取出胰腺段胆总管内嵌顿结石。     

发作性睡病的药物治疗进展

发作性睡病是致残性白天睡眠增多的最常见原因之一，其治疗旨在减少白天睡眠增多和猝倒，改善夜间睡眠紊乱、睡眠瘫痪及与睡眠有关的幻觉。2019年，组胺H3受体拮抗剂替洛利生（Pitolisant）和多巴胺及去甲肾上腺素再摄取抑制剂索利氨酯（Solriamfetol）分别在欧盟和美国上市，前者具有促醒和抗猝倒作用，后者也有促醒作用，且戒断症状和滥用的发生率更低。目前，控释型羟丁酸钠（FT218）、低钠型羟丁酸盐（JZP-258）、选择性去甲肾上腺素再摄取抑制剂（瑞波西汀，又称AXS-12）以及莫达非尼联合氟卡尼制剂（THN102）等药物仍在开发和测试中，均可作为治疗发作性睡病相关白天睡眠增多和猝倒的潜在药物。本文重点介绍这些最近研发的发作性睡病治疗药物。