A European approach to categorizing medicines for fitness to drive: outcomes of the DRUID project |
| |
Authors: | Silvia Ravera Susana P Monteiro Johan Jacob de Gier Trudy van der Linden Trinidad Gómez-Talegón F Javier álvarez the DRUID Project WP4 Partners? |
| |
Affiliation: | 1.Department of Pharmacotherapy and Pharmaceutical Care, University of Groningen, Antonius Deusinglaan 1, 9713 AV Groningen, the Netherlands;2.Department of Clinical Chemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Ghent University, De Pintelaan 185, 9000 Ghent, Belgium;3.Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Valladolid, C/ Ramón y Cajal 7, 47005 Valladolid, Spain |
| |
Abstract: | AIMSTo illustrate (i) the criteria and the development of the DRUID categorization system, (ii) the number of medicines that have currently been categorized, (iii) the added value of the DRUID categorization system and (iv) the next steps in the implementation of the DRUID system.METHODSThe development of the DRUID categorization system was based on several criteria. The following steps were considered: (i) conditions of use of the medicine, (ii) pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic data, (iii) pharmacovigilance data, including prevalence of undesirable effects, (iv) experimental and epidemiological data, (v) additional data derived from the patient information leaflet, existing categorization systems and (vi) final categorization. DRUID proposed four tiered categories for medicines and driving.RESULTSIn total, 3054 medicines were reviewed and over 1541 medicines were categorized (the rest were no longer on the EU market). Nearly half of the 1541 medicines were categorized 0 (no or negligible influence on fitness to drive), about 26% were placed in category I (minor influence on fitness to drive) and 17% were categorized as II or III (moderate or severe influence on fitness to drive).CONCLUSIONSThe current DRUID categorization system established and defined standardized and harmonized criteria to categorize commonly used medications, based on their influence on fitness to drive. Further efforts are needed to implement the DRUID categorization system at a European level and further activities should be undertaken in order to reinforce the awareness of health care professionals and patients on the effects of medicines on fitness to drive. |
| |
Keywords: | |
|
|