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Kali S, Puisney C, Delalande ML, Franc G, Buisson C, Barradeau S. Facing the new IVD Regulation 2017/746: Contract Research Organizations (CROs), key partners of IVDs manufacturers for compliance. Clin Chem Lab Med 2024; 0:cclm-2024-0389. [PMID: 38602283 DOI: 10.1515/cclm-2024-0389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024]
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Lamadé A, Beekmann D, Eickhoff S, Grefkes C, Tscherpel C, Meyding-Lamadé U, Bassa B. [Quality indicators artificial intelligence]. Nervenarzt 2024; 95:242-246. [PMID: 38085285 DOI: 10.1007/s00115-023-01573-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2024]
Abstract
The ability of some artificial intelligence (AI) systems to autonomously evolve and the sometimes very limited possibilities to comprehend their decision-making processes present new challenges to our legal system. At a European level this has led to reform efforts, of which the proposal for a European AI regulation promises to close regulatory gaps in existing product safety law through cross-sectoral AI-specific safety requirements. A prerequisite, however, would be that the EU legislator does not only avoid duplications and contradictions with existing safety requirements but also refrains from imposing exaggerated and unattainable demands. If this were to be taken into consideration, the new safety requirements could also be used to specify the undefined standard of care in liability law. Nevertheless, challenges in the context of provability continue to remain unresolved, posing a risk of rendering the legal protection efforts of the aggrieved party ineffective. It remains to be seen whether the EU legislator will address this need for reform with the recently proposed reform of product liability law by the Commission.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Dustin Beekmann
- Philipps-Universität Marburg, Marburg, Deutschland
- Watson Farley & Williams LLP, Hamburg, Deutschland
| | - Simon Eickhoff
- Institut für Neurowissenschaften und Medizin, Jülich Forschungszentrum, Jülich, Deutschland
| | - Christian Grefkes
- Zentrum der Neurologie und Neurochirurgie, Universitätsklinikum Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Deutschland
| | - Caroline Tscherpel
- Zentrum der Neurologie und Neurochirurgie, Universitätsklinikum Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Deutschland
| | - Uta Meyding-Lamadé
- Klinik für Neurologie, Nordwestkrankenhaus in Frankfurt am Main, Frankfurt am Main, Deutschland
| | - Burc Bassa
- Klinik für Neurologie, Nordwestkrankenhaus in Frankfurt am Main, Frankfurt am Main, Deutschland
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3
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Bahans C, Couderc B, Leymarie S, Hirsch F, Chapuis F, Rage-Andrieu V. [Ethical principles for the design of a clinical trial in oncology]. Bull Cancer 2024; 111:164-175. [PMID: 37689530 DOI: 10.1016/j.bulcan.2023.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2023] [Revised: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 07/16/2023] [Indexed: 09/11/2023]
Abstract
Clinical research in the area of cancer is of utmost importance in order to improve patient care, both in terms of overall survival and quality of life. The implementation of clinical trials on medicinal products, now falling under EU Regulation 536/2014, is conditioned on prior scientific authorisation from the French National Agency for the Safety of Medicines and Health Products and a favorable ethical opinion from a Research Ethics Committee (REC). OBJECTIVE The objective of this work is to report on the main problematic issues identified during the evaluation of oncology dossiers by the REC in order to present the expected elements and thus optimise the evaluation procedures. METHODS The National Conference of the Research Ethics Committees analysed the questions raised by the REC during their evaluation of clinical trials of oncology drugs submitted to the European information system in 2022. RESULTS Out of a total of fourteen dossiers, nine were subject to ethical questions on the protocol and all dossiers required modifications to the information documents. DISCUSSION The heterogeneous quality of the dossiers reminds the need to submit well-argued, methodologically robust protocols with supervised research procedures that are safe for the participants. The drafting of information documents needs to be thoroughly reconsidered in order to present clear, concise, loyal and respectful documents for patients' rights.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire Bahans
- Conférence nationale des comités de protection des personnes (CNCP), HCL, groupement hospitalier Est, 59, boulevard Pinel, 69500 Bron, France; CHU de Limoges, 8, avenue Dominique-Larrey, 87000 Limoges, France.
| | - Bettina Couderc
- Conférence nationale des comités de protection des personnes (CNCP), HCL, groupement hospitalier Est, 59, boulevard Pinel, 69500 Bron, France; Comité de protection des personnes Sud-Ouest et Outre-Mer II, Agence régionale de santé Occitanie, 10, chemin du raisin, bureau 1048, 31050 Toulouse cedex 9, France
| | - Sophie Leymarie
- Comité de protection des personnes Sud-Ouest et Outre-Mer IV, centre hospitalier Esquirol, Cabanis Haut, avenue du Dr-Marclanda, 87000 Limoges, France
| | - François Hirsch
- Conférence nationale des comités de protection des personnes (CNCP), HCL, groupement hospitalier Est, 59, boulevard Pinel, 69500 Bron, France; Comité de protection des personnes Île-de-France VII, hôpital de Bicêtre, 78, rue du Général-Leclerc, 94270 Le Kremlin Bicêtre, France
| | - François Chapuis
- Conférence nationale des comités de protection des personnes (CNCP), HCL, groupement hospitalier Est, 59, boulevard Pinel, 69500 Bron, France; Comité de protection des personnes Sud Est III, bâtiment Pinel, groupement hospitalier Est, 59, boulevard Pinel, 69500 Bron, France
| | - Virginie Rage-Andrieu
- Conférence nationale des comités de protection des personnes (CNCP), HCL, groupement hospitalier Est, 59, boulevard Pinel, 69500 Bron, France; Comité de protection des personnes Sud méditerranée IV, hôpital Saint-Eloi, 34295 Montpellier cedex 5, France
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Hofmann N, Lafarge X, Antica M, Ferry N, Girandon L, Gramignoli R, Jurga M, Kerdjoudj H, Navakauskiene R, Schiavi J, Shablii V, Nicolás FJ, Gindraux F. Expert Consideration on Regulatory Aspects for Perinatal Derivatives in Clinical Settings. Stem Cells Transl Med 2023; 12:258-265. [PMID: 37027834 PMCID: PMC10184691 DOI: 10.1093/stcltm/szad017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 03/10/2023] [Indexed: 04/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Perinatal derivatives (PnD) are drawing growing interest among the scientific community as an unrestricted source of multipotent stem cells, secretome, and biological matrices. They are useful for the treatment of diseases that currently have limited or no effective therapeutic options, but they require the development of regenerative approaches. With this development, the question of regulation of donation, processing, and distribution has therefore become more important. Within the European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST) community, we compiled a group of international experts on PnD technologies, who revised and compared existing EU national regulations. Notably, despite clear European directives, each EU Country has developed their own implementation and standard levels for cell- and tissue-based therapies. To enable extended applications of PnD treatments within the EU community and worldwide, harmonization is highly recommended. This paper aims to provide an overview of the various options available to introduce PnD into clinical practice. For this purpose, the different aspects resulting from (1) the type of PnD, (2) the amount of available data, (3) the degree of manipulation, and (4) the intended application and the process toward a possible commercialization will be presented. In the future, it will be important to find a balance between regulatory requirements and the best medical quality of the PnD product.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola Hofmann
- German Society for Tissue Transplantation (DGFG) gGmbH, Hannover, Germany
| | - Xavier Lafarge
- Etablissement Français du Sang Nouvelle-Aquitaine Laboratoire d'ingénierie tissulaire et cellulaire, Bordeaux, France
- INSERM U1211 « Maladies Rares: Génétique et Métabolisme, Bordeaux, France
| | | | - Nicolas Ferry
- INSERM, Department of health technology, Île-de-France, Paris, France
| | | | - Roberto Gramignoli
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Division of Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Medicinsk Cancerdiagnostik, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | - Halima Kerdjoudj
- Université de Reims Champagne Ardenne, Odontology, EA4691-BIOS, Reims, France
| | - Ruta Navakauskiene
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Institute of Biochemistry, Life Sciences Center, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Jessica Schiavi
- CNRS, LRGP, Department of Biomolecules Bioprocess, University of Lorraine, Nancy, France
| | - Volodymyr Shablii
- Laboratory of Biosynthesis of Nucleic Acids, Institute of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Department of Functional Genomics, National Academy of Science, Kyiv, Ukraine
- Placenta Stem Cell Laboratory, Cryobank, Institute of Cell Therapy, Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - Francisco J Nicolás
- Lab. Regeneración, Oncología Molecular y TGFß. IMIB-Pascual Parrilla. El Palmar, Murcia, Spain
| | - Florelle Gindraux
- Service de Chirurgie Maxillo-Faciale, Stomatologie et Odontologie Hospitalière, CHU Besancon, Besancon, France
- Université de Franche-Comté, Laboratoire de Nanomédecine, Imagerie, Thérapeutique EA 4662 (LNIT), Besançon, France
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Toulouse E, Granier S, Nicolas-Robin A, Bahans C, Milman A, Andrieu VR, Gricourt Y. The French clinical research in the European Community regulation era. Anaesth Crit Care Pain Med 2023; 42:101192. [PMID: 36572104 DOI: 10.1016/j.accpm.2022.101192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Elisabeth Toulouse
- Magistrat de l'ordre Judiciaire Conseillère à la Cour d'appel de Nîmes, Chargée du Contentieux de la Première Chambre Civile, Cour d'Appel de Nîmes, Avenue des arènes, 30000 Nîmes, France; Comité de Protection des Personnes Sud Méditerranée 3, UFR Médecine, 186 chemin du Carreau de Lanes, CF 83021, 30908 Nîmes Cedex 2, France
| | - Sophie Granier
- Comité de Protection des Personnes Sud Méditerranée 3, UFR Médecine, 186 chemin du Carreau de Lanes, CF 83021, 30908 Nîmes Cedex 2, France; Direction de la Recherche Clinique et de l'Innovation, CHU de Nîmes, France
| | - Armelle Nicolas-Robin
- Neuro-Intensive Care Unit, Fondation Adolphe de Rothschild Hospital, 29, rue Manin, 75019 Paris, France; Comité de Protection des Personnes Ile-de-France IV, Saint-Louis Hospital, 1, Avenue Claude-Vellefaux, 75010 Paris, France
| | - Claire Bahans
- Comité de Protection des Personnes Sud-Ouest et Outre-Mer IV-Centre Hospitalier Esquirol, Cabanis Haut, 15, rue du Docteur-Marcland, BP 61730, 87025 Limoges Cedex, France; Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Limoges, Département de Pédiatrie, 8 avenue Dominique Larrey, 87000 Limoges, France
| | - Alexandre Milman
- Bureau Editorial Anaesthesia Critical Care & Pain Medicine, Société Française d'Anesthésie et Réanimation, 74 rue Raynouard, 75016 Paris, France
| | - Virginie Rage Andrieu
- CPP Sud Méditerranée IV, Présidente de la Conférence Nationale des CPP (CNCP), 34000 Montpellier, France; Université de Montpellier, LICeM Laboratoire Innovation Communication et Marché, 15 avenue Charles Flahault, 34093 Montpellier, France
| | - Yann Gricourt
- IMAGINE, UR-UM 107, University of Montpellier, Division of Anaesthesia Critical Care, Pain and Emergency Medicine, Nîmes University Hospital, Nîmes, France.
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Naziris N, Demetzos C. The Regulatory Landscape of New Health Technologies and Nanotechnologies: The Role of Complexity of Nanosystems. Adv Exp Med Biol 2023; 1425:575-589. [PMID: 37581831 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-31986-0_56] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/16/2023]
Abstract
Herein we present the modern issue of new health technologies that emerge in Medicine and Therapeutics, with regard to their development, regulatory framework, approval, and post-approval monitoring. The European law and legislation distinguish the various subcategories of health technologies in medicinal products, medical devices, biotechnological products, advanced therapy medicinal products, and nanomedicinal products. Each of these categories presents its own distinctive characteristics, based on principles that regard the development technology and intended therapeutic use, and, as a result, is defined by a unique regulatory framework inside the European legislation environment. New health technologies are a key of twenty-first-century knowledge, science, and economy and a part of society growth and economic development, while at the same time they present significant challenges, mainly through matters that regard their safety, efficacy, and value for the public. In this environment, the concept of complexity of living and artificial systems arises, as part of their nature, but also as a perspective that will give answers regarding their dynamic behavior, evolution, and overall quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikolaos Naziris
- Section of Pharmaceutical Technology, Department of Pharmacy, School of Health Sciences, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
| | - Costas Demetzos
- Section of Pharmaceutical Technology, Department of Pharmacy, School of Health Sciences, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
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Vignot S, Guyader G, Salomon V, Vella P, Yoldjian I, Maison P, Ratignier-Carbonneil C. Clinical Trial Authorisation: A Final Look Back to Better Appraise the New European Regulation. Rev Recent Clin Trials 2023; 18:167-171. [PMID: 36959158 PMCID: PMC10514496 DOI: 10.2174/1574887118666230320124012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2022] [Revised: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/26/2023] [Indexed: 03/25/2023]
Abstract
The implementation of the new European Clinical Trial Regulation on 31 January 2022, is a major step to promote clinical research in Europe. The French National Agency for Medicines and Health Products Safety (ANSM) proposes to share some key aspects of the preparation for the application of the Regulation initiated in 2017 and to discuss shared indicators that should be considered to monitor clinical trials opportunities on a territory with regards to access to innovation for patients and attractiveness for sponsors. New criteria based on the time from the first request for authorisation to the first inclusion could be of particular interest to appraise the implementation of the European Clinical Trial Regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stéphane Vignot
- Agence Nationale de Sécurité du Médicament et des Produits de Santé, Boulevard Anatole France, 93200, Saint Denis, Grand Paris, France
| | - Gaëlle Guyader
- Agence Nationale de Sécurité du Médicament et des Produits de Santé, Boulevard Anatole France, 93200, Saint Denis, Grand Paris, France
| | - Valérie Salomon
- Agence Nationale de Sécurité du Médicament et des Produits de Santé, Boulevard Anatole France, 93200, Saint Denis, Grand Paris, France
| | - Philippe Vella
- Agence Nationale de Sécurité du Médicament et des Produits de Santé, Boulevard Anatole France, 93200, Saint Denis, Grand Paris, France
| | - Isabelle Yoldjian
- Agence Nationale de Sécurité du Médicament et des Produits de Santé, Boulevard Anatole France, 93200, Saint Denis, Grand Paris, France
| | - Patrick Maison
- Agence Nationale de Sécurité du Médicament et des Produits de Santé, Boulevard Anatole France, 93200, Saint Denis, Grand Paris, France
| | - Christelle Ratignier-Carbonneil
- Agence Nationale de Sécurité du Médicament et des Produits de Santé, Boulevard Anatole France, 93200, Saint Denis, Grand Paris, France
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8
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Mancino A, Crea E, Messina M, Ferrante M, Feraco MV, Fazi P, Vignetti M. Regulation 536/2014 and its beneficial impacts on academic clinical research in Italy. Closing the loop. Contemp Clin Trials Commun 2022; 29:100992. [PMID: 36105266 PMCID: PMC9465308 DOI: 10.1016/j.conctc.2022.100992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2022] [Revised: 08/17/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Regulation (EU) No 536/2014 (Clinical Trial Regulation, CTR) offers two precious tools to academic clinical research in Italy: - The right to transfer not-for-profit clinical trials data and results for registration purposes, and co-sponsorship. - The right to transfer data reduces the time needed to make innovative therapeutical agents and therapies accessible to the patient. Co-sponsorship, on the other hand, allows the establishment of a partnership between entities with different missions, ideals and attitudes, sharing – nevertheless - the same ultimate goal: meeting the patient's medical needs. Co-sponsorship facilitates collaboration among experts, which allows knowledge sharing, thus guaranteeing, to each contributor, recognition for their own contributions to a complex activity such as a clinical trial. However, the above-mentioned Regulation poses important challenges, especially in terms of infrastructural efficiency, which is demanding, especially for those entities suffering organizational inadequacies: unfortunately, inefficiency is sometimes a structural problem in the academic clinical environment. This publication focuses on the specific innovative aspects introduced by CTR. It also highlights the possible difficulties to be addressed by their implementation. Regulation (EU) No 536/2014 offers two precious tools to academic clinical research in Italy:
The right to transfer not-for-profit clinical trials data and results for registration purposes, and co-sponsorship. The right to transfer not-for-profit clinical trials data and results reduces the time needed to make the innovative therapeutical agents and therapies accessible to the patient.Co-sponsorship facilitates the collaboration among experts, which allows knowledge sharing.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Enrico Crea
- Fondazione G.I.M.EM.A.- Franco Mandelli Onlus, Rome, Italy
| | - Monica Messina
- Fondazione G.I.M.EM.A.- Franco Mandelli Onlus, Rome, Italy
| | | | | | - Paola Fazi
- Fondazione G.I.M.EM.A.- Franco Mandelli Onlus, Rome, Italy
| | - Marco Vignetti
- Fondazione G.I.M.EM.A.- Franco Mandelli Onlus, Rome, Italy.,Department of Translational and Precision Medicine, Hematology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
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Larras F, Charles S, Chaumot A, Pelosi C, Le Gall M, Mamy L, Beaudouin R. A critical review of effect modeling for ecological risk assessment of plant protection products. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int 2022; 29:43448-43500. [PMID: 35391640 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-19111-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2021] [Accepted: 02/03/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
A wide diversity of plant protection products (PPP) is used for crop protection leading to the contamination of soil, water, and air, which can have ecotoxicological impacts on living organisms. It is inconceivable to study the effects of each compound on each species from each compartment, experimental studies being time consuming and cost prohibitive, and animal testing having to be avoided. Therefore, numerous models are developed to assess PPP ecotoxicological effects. Our objective was to provide an overview of the modeling approaches enabling the assessment of PPP effects (including biopesticides) on the biota. Six categories of models were inventoried: (Q)SAR, DR and TKTD, population, multi-species, landscape, and mixture models. They were developed for various species (terrestrial and aquatic vertebrates and invertebrates, primary producers, micro-organisms) belonging to diverse environmental compartments, to address different goals (e.g., species sensitivity or PPP bioaccumulation assessment, ecosystem services protection). Among them, mechanistic models are increasingly recognized by EFSA for PPP regulatory risk assessment but, to date, remain not considered in notified guidance documents. The strengths and limits of the reviewed models are discussed together with improvement avenues (multigenerational effects, multiple biotic and abiotic stressors). This review also underlines a lack of model testing by means of field data and of sensitivity and uncertainty analyses. Accurate and robust modeling of PPP effects and other stressors on living organisms, from their application in the field to their functional consequences on the ecosystems at different scales of time and space, would help going toward a more sustainable management of the environment. Graphical Abstract Combination of the keyword lists composing the first bibliographic query. Columns were joined together with the logical operator AND. All keyword lists are available in Supplementary Information at https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.5775038 (Larras et al. 2021).
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Affiliation(s)
- Floriane Larras
- INRAE, Directorate for Collective Scientific Assessment, Foresight and Advanced Studies, Paris, 75338, France
| | - Sandrine Charles
- University of Lyon, University Lyon 1, CNRS UMR 5558, Laboratory of Biometry and Evolutionary Biology, Villeurbanne Cedex, 69622, France
| | - Arnaud Chaumot
- INRAE, UR RiverLy, Ecotoxicology laboratory, Villeurbanne, F-69625, France
| | - Céline Pelosi
- Avignon University, INRAE, UMR EMMAH, Avignon, 84000, France
| | - Morgane Le Gall
- Ifremer, Information Scientifique et Technique, Bibliothèque La Pérouse, Plouzané, 29280, France
| | - Laure Mamy
- Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, AgroParisTech, UMR ECOSYS, Thiverval-Grignon, 78850, France
| | - Rémy Beaudouin
- Ineris, Experimental Toxicology and Modelling Unit, UMR-I 02 SEBIO, Verneuil en Halatte, 65550, France.
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Ehni HJ, Wiesing U, Ranisch R. Saving the most lives-A comparison of European triage guidelines in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Bioethics 2021; 35:125-134. [PMID: 33325536 DOI: 10.1111/bioe.12836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2020] [Revised: 11/12/2020] [Accepted: 11/16/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
In March 2020, the rapid increase in severe COVID-19 cases overwhelmed the healthcare systems in several European countries. The capacities for artificial ventilation in intensive care units were too scarce to care for patients with acute respiratory disorder connected to the disease. Several professional associations published COVID-19 triage recommendations in an extremely short time: in 21 days between March 6 and March 27. In this article, we compare recommendations from five European countries, which combine medical and ethical reflections on this situation in some detail. Our aim is to provide a detailed overview on the ethical elements of the recommendations, the differences between them and their coherence. In more general terms we want to identify shortcomings in regard to a common European response to the current situation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hans-Jörg Ehni
- Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen, Institut für Ethik und Geschichte der Medizin, Tubingen, Baden-Württemberg, Germany
| | - Urban Wiesing
- Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen, Institut für Ethik und Geschichte der Medizin, Tubingen, Baden-Württemberg, Germany
| | - Robert Ranisch
- Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen, Institut für Ethik und Geschichte der Medizin, Tubingen, Baden-Württemberg, Germany
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Muela-Molina C, Perelló-Oliver S, García-Arranz A. Health-related claims in food supplements endorsements: a content analysis from the perspective of EU regulation. Public Health 2020; 190:168-172. [PMID: 33341278 DOI: 10.1016/j.puhe.2020.10.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2020] [Revised: 10/14/2020] [Accepted: 10/29/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Based on the legal framework regulating the advertisement of food supplements in the EU, the aim of this article is to analyse the relationship between the presence of endorsers, the different types of health-related claims (H-RCs) and product content information. STUDY DESIGN We applied a quantitative approach based on the content analysis of all radio spots broadcast throughout 2017 on full-service radio stations in Spain. METHODS A corpus of 10,556 radio spots was obtained of the three radio stations with the highest audience levels (165 without repetitions). We incorporated data on the accumulated broadcast frequencies to supplement the content analysis specific to each radio spot with its weight in relation to the overall advertising discourse. We developed a coding scheme to assess the type of endorser, the types of H-RCs, and the product content information. RESULTS Results show that European directives are breached in different ways. Healthcare experts prevail in disease claims, although they are prohibited. Celebrities are the most widely used endorsers (25%) in the function and reduction of disease risk claims. In addition, although these types of claims require substantiation by authorised ingredient, 73% of H-RCs lack this information. CONCLUSIONS The high presence of illicit H-RCs and endorsers, such as physicians, and the omission of compulsory product information suggest that public administrations must apply stricter monitoring and sanctioning mechanisms to dissuade advertisers from further breaches of the law and to protect consumers. Implications for public health policy are made.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Muela-Molina
- Department of Communication Sciences and Sociology, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Camino Camino del Molino, Nº 5, Fuenlabrada (Madrid), 28942, Spain.
| | - S Perelló-Oliver
- Department of Communication Sciences and Sociology, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Camino Camino del Molino, Nº 5, Fuenlabrada (Madrid), 28942, Spain.
| | - A García-Arranz
- Department of Communication and Marketing, EAE Business School, C/Joaquín Costa, Nº 41 (Madrid), 28002, Spain.
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Abstract
In order to achieve regulatory compliance and acquire authorisation for sale in Europe, each medical device must be supported by a clinical evaluation report (CER) which documents the clinical evaluation process in its entirety. This is not a new requirement but highly publicised scandals caused by defective medical devices increased scrutiny of notified bodies (the organisations designated by the European Union to evaluate medical device compliance) meaning they are more liable and must strengthen their inspections of medical device manufacturers. Manufacturers are already under increased pressure due to the new EU Medical device regulation published in 2017. The scope of the new regulation requires many manufacturers to evaluate the documentation for their whole product portfolio. CERs are an important part of regulatory compliance and are also one of the biggest challenges for manufacturers who do not have sufficient resources and do not dedicate enough time to this task. This article examines the background of this requirement while offering medical device manufacturers advice for successful clinical evaluation reports.
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Vettorazzi A, López de Cerain A, Sanz-Serrano J, Gil AG, Azqueta A. European Regulatory Framework and Safety Assessment of Food-Related Bioactive Compounds. Nutrients 2020; 12:E613. [PMID: 32110982 PMCID: PMC7146632 DOI: 10.3390/nu12030613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2020] [Accepted: 02/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
A great variety of functional foods, nutraceuticals, or foods with bioactive compounds are provided nowadays to consumers. Aware of the importance of the safety aspects, the food industry has to comply with different legal requirements around the world. In this review, the European regulatory framework for food-related bioactive compounds is summarized. The term 'bioactive compound' is not defined in the European regulations, however, since they can be part of food supplements, fortified foods, or novel food, they are included within the legal requirements of those corresponding types of foods or supplements. Lists of authorized compounds/foods appear in the correspondent regulations, however, when a new compound/food is going to be launched into the market, its safety assessment is essential. Although the responsibility for the safety of these compounds/foods lies with the food business operator placing the product on the market, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) carries out scientific evaluations to assess the risks for human health. To facilitate this procedure, different guidelines exist at the European level to explain the tier toxicity testing approach to be considered. This approach divides the evaluation into four areas: (a) toxicokinetics; (b) genotoxicity; (c) subchronic and chronic toxicity and carcinogenicity; and (d) reproductive and developmental toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ariane Vettorazzi
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain; (A.L.d.C.); (J.S.-S.); (A.G.G.); (A.A.)
- IdiSNA, Navarra Institute for Health Research, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Adela López de Cerain
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain; (A.L.d.C.); (J.S.-S.); (A.G.G.); (A.A.)
- IdiSNA, Navarra Institute for Health Research, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Julen Sanz-Serrano
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain; (A.L.d.C.); (J.S.-S.); (A.G.G.); (A.A.)
| | - Ana G. Gil
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain; (A.L.d.C.); (J.S.-S.); (A.G.G.); (A.A.)
- IdiSNA, Navarra Institute for Health Research, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Amaya Azqueta
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain; (A.L.d.C.); (J.S.-S.); (A.G.G.); (A.A.)
- IdiSNA, Navarra Institute for Health Research, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
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Sterckeman T, Gossiaux L, Guimont S, Sirguey C, Lin Z. Cadmium mass balance in French soils under annual crops: Scenarios for the next century. Sci Total Environ 2018; 639:1440-1452. [PMID: 29929307 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.05.225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2018] [Revised: 05/17/2018] [Accepted: 05/18/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Human populations are threatened by chronic exposure to the Cd accumulated in foods after being taken up from soils by crops. To decide whether and to what extent it is necessary to reduce the Cd content in cultivated soils, one needs to understand and predict its evolution. We therefore simulated the Cd mass balance in the soils under annual crops in France and in its 22 regions for the next century, following six scenarios of agricultural practices or regulatory conditions. If current cultivation practices are maintained, the average Cd content would increase by about 15% after a century, due to the input of Cd with P fertilizer applications. This represents around 85% of the soil Cd inputs and is nearly twice the Cd output caused by leaching and crop offtake. These results conflict with those recently obtained at the European level, due to three factors: the higher rate of P application in France than in Europe, a higher Cd content in the P fertilizers applied in France and a lower Cd leaching in French soils. Strict application of the good practices for P fertilization would stabilize the future soil Cd content at its present level. Assuming the current excessive P fertilization, the enforcement of a regulation limiting Cd content in the P fertilizers, as proposed by the European Union, would lead to a lesser increase in soil Cd, by 1.6% to 3.9% after a century. The combination of P fertilization good practices and Cd content limitation in P fertilizers would lead to a decrease in soil Cd content of between 3.0% to 5.2%. Organic agriculture would lead to an evolution of soil Cd content similar to that of conventional agriculture applying good practices. The accuracy of the mass balances could be ameliorated by a better assessment of Cd leaching.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thibault Sterckeman
- Université de Lorraine, Laboratoire Sols et Environnement, UMR 1120, TSA 40602, F-54518 Vandœuvre-lès-Nancy cedex, France; Inra, Laboratoire Sols et Environnement, UMR 1120, TSA 40602, F-54518 Vandœuvre-lès-Nancy cedex, France.
| | - Lucas Gossiaux
- VALTERRA Dépollution & Réhabilitation, 3, allée de Chantilly, 54500 Vandœuvre-lès-Nancy, France
| | - Sophie Guimont
- VALTERRA Dépollution & Réhabilitation, 3, allée de Chantilly, 54500 Vandœuvre-lès-Nancy, France
| | - Catherine Sirguey
- Université de Lorraine, Laboratoire Sols et Environnement, UMR 1120, TSA 40602, F-54518 Vandœuvre-lès-Nancy cedex, France; Inra, Laboratoire Sols et Environnement, UMR 1120, TSA 40602, F-54518 Vandœuvre-lès-Nancy cedex, France
| | - Zhongbing Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Water Resources and Hydropower Engineering Science, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China
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Gallego-Schmid A, Jeswani HK, Mendoza JMF, Azapagic A. Life cycle environmental evaluation of kettles: Recommendations for the development of eco-design regulations in the European Union. Sci Total Environ 2018; 625:135-146. [PMID: 29288999 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.12.262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2017] [Revised: 12/21/2017] [Accepted: 12/21/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Between 117 and 200 million kettles are used in the European Union (EU) every year. However, the full environmental impacts of kettles remain largely unknown. This paper presents a comprehensive life cycle assessment of conventional plastic and metallic kettles in comparison with eco-kettles. The results show that the use stage contributes 80% to the impacts. For this reason, the eco-kettle has over 30% lower environmental impacts due to a greater water efficiency and related lower energy consumption. These results have been extrapolated to the EU level to consider the implications for proposed eco-design regulations. For these purposes, the effects on the impacts of durability of kettles and improvements in their energy and water efficiency have been assessed as they have been identified as two key parameters in the proposed regulations. The results suggest that increasing the current average durability from 4.4 to seven years would reduce the impacts by less than 5%. Thus, improving durability is not a key issue for improving the environmental performance of kettles and does not justify the need for an eco-design regulation based exclusively on it. However, improvements in water and energy efficiency through eco-design can bring relevant environmental savings. Boiling the exact amount of water needed would reduce the impacts by around a third and using water temperature control by further 2%-5%. The study has also considered the effects of reducing significantly the number of kettles in use after the UK (large user of kettles) leaves the EU and reducing the excess water typically boiled by the consumer. Even under these circumstances, the environmental savings justify the development of a specific EU eco-design regulation for kettles. However, consumer engagement will be key to the implementation and achievement of the expected environmental benefits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandro Gallego-Schmid
- Sustainable Industrial Systems, School of Chemical Engineering and Analytical Science, The University of Manchester, The Mill, Sackville Street, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK.
| | - Harish Kumar Jeswani
- Sustainable Industrial Systems, School of Chemical Engineering and Analytical Science, The University of Manchester, The Mill, Sackville Street, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK
| | - Joan Manuel F Mendoza
- Sustainable Industrial Systems, School of Chemical Engineering and Analytical Science, The University of Manchester, The Mill, Sackville Street, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK
| | - Adisa Azapagic
- Sustainable Industrial Systems, School of Chemical Engineering and Analytical Science, The University of Manchester, The Mill, Sackville Street, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK
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Abstract
The regulation for the use of stem cells has evolved during the past decade with the aim of ensuring a high standard of quality and safety for human derived products throughout Europe to comply with the provision of the Lisbon treaty. To this end, new regulations have been issued and the regulatory status of stem cells has been revised. Indeed, stem cells used for therapeutic purposes can now be classified as a cell preparation, or as advanced therapy medicinal products depending on the clinical indication and on the procedure of cell preparation. Furthermore, exemptions to the European regulation are applicable for stem cells prepared and used within the hospital. The aim of this review is to give the non-specialized reader a broad overview of this particular regulatory landscape.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas Ferry
- Département de thérapie cellulaire, Hôpital Saint Louis, 1 Avenue Claude Vellefaux, 75010 Paris, France. E-mail:
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Bustamante MÁ, Fernández-Gil MP, Churruca I, Miranda J, Lasa A, Navarro V, Simón E. Evolution of Gluten Content in Cereal-Based Gluten-Free Products: An Overview from 1998 to 2016. Nutrients 2017; 9:E21. [PMID: 28054938 DOI: 10.3390/nu9010021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2016] [Revised: 12/16/2016] [Accepted: 12/16/2016] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The treatment of Celiac disease consists in a strict lifelong gluten-free (GF) diet. As the ingestion of small amounts can have damaging complications, there has been an ongoing discussion regarding the safe threshold for dietary residual gluten. The aim was to analyze the evolution of gluten content in cereal-based GF foodstuffs (n = 3141) from 1998 to 2016 measured by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique. Eight categories were defined: flours, breakfast cereals/bars, bakery, pasta, breads, dough, snacks, and yeasts, and these were divided into GF labeled-foods (GF-L) or reportedly GF foodstuffs, but not certified (GF-NC). Gluten-detection was decreased over time in line with the evolving European regulations about food information and gluten content claims. This decline started sooner in GF-L products than in GF-NC. As a whole, gluten was detected in 371 samples, with breakfast cereals/bars being the most contaminated group. Snacks and yeasts changed from being high gluten-detected samples to being totally GF over the years. The downside is that, of contaminated samples, those in the low levels of gluten detection range have decreased while flour samples containing over 100 mg/kg gluten have risen in the 2013-2016 period. Obtained data confirm that GF cereal-based foods are becoming safer but gluten control must be maintained.
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Chin WW, Joos A. Moving toward a paradigm shift in the regulatory requirements for pediatric medicines. Eur J Pediatr 2016; 175:1881-91. [PMID: 27646479 DOI: 10.1007/s00431-016-2781-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2016] [Revised: 07/18/2016] [Accepted: 09/08/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Over the past two decades, there has been growing concern over the lack of proper medication for children. This review attempts to evaluate the current progress of EU Pediatric Regulation made since 2007. The lack of properly evaluated pediatric medication has for long been a source of concern in the European Union. The drugs that were used in the past were often not properly evaluated, and dosage was arbitrarily calculated. Therefore, it was necessary to establish the Pediatric Regulation (EC no. 1901/2006) in the EU which would mandate research for pediatric drugs. Current legislations in place not only require mandatory research by pharma industry but also have guidelines to direct the quality of pediatric research performed. The main aim of this regulation was to advance high-quality research and development of pediatric drugs, thereby increasing the availability of safe and effective drugs for children. It also aimed to improve the information available on existing pediatric drugs. It has been 9 years since the pediatric regulation was framed. The pharma industry now sees pediatric research as an integral process of development. Drug companies which develop plans for a new drug, new form of drug, new indication, or new route of administration for adults are obliged to integrate in their development plan similar research for pediatric populations as well. CONCLUSION It is hoped that the implementation of the current legislation will be reflected better in the future by the marketing of better and safer drugs for the pediatric population. The upcoming assessment to the European Commission in 2017 will further inform us on the impact after 10 years implementation of the legislation. What is Known: • The lack of properly evaluated pediatric medication has for long been a source of concern in the European Union. • Therefore, it was necessary to establish the EU Pediatric Regulation which would mandate research for pediatric drugs. What is New: • It has been 9 years since the pediatric regulation was framed, and the teething problems are slowly being overcome and the regulation is being used with increasing confidence. • As the Regulation is due for revision in 2017, this paper gives a current perspective on the impact of the regulation on availability and access to medicine for children.
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Bauer P, König F. Adaptive paediatric investigation plans, a small step to improve regulatory decision making in drug development for children? Pharm Stat 2016; 15:384-6. [PMID: 27400890 DOI: 10.1002/pst.1762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Different arguments have been put forward why drug developers should commit themselves early for what they are planning to do for children. By EU regulation, paediatric investigation plans should be agreed on in early phases of drug development in adults. Here, extrapolation from adults to children is widely applied to reduce the burden and avoids unnecessary clinical trials in children, but early regulatory decisions on how far extrapolation can be used may be highly uncertain. Under special circumstances, the regulatory process should allow for adaptive paediatric investigation plans explicitly foreseeing a re-evaluation of the early decision based on the information accumulated later from adults or elsewhere. A small step towards adaptivity and learning from experience may improve the quality of regulatory decisions in particular with regard to how much information can be borrowed from adults. © 2016 The Authors. Pharmaceutical Statistics Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Bauer
- Center for Medical Statistics, Informatics, and Intelligent Systems, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
| | - Franz König
- Center for Medical Statistics, Informatics, and Intelligent Systems, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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Schoknecht U, Mathies H, Wegner R. Biocide leaching during field experiments on treated articles. Environ Sci Eur 2016; 28:6. [PMID: 27752441 PMCID: PMC5044957 DOI: 10.1186/s12302-016-0074-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2015] [Accepted: 02/07/2016] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Biocidal products can be sources of active substances in surface waters caused by weathering of treated articles. Marketing and use of biocidal products can be limited according to the European Biocidal Products Regulation if unacceptable risks to the environment are expected. Leaching of active substances from treated articles was observed in field experiments to obtain information on leaching processes and investigate the suitability of a proposed test method. RESULTS Leaching under weathering conditions proceeds discontinuously and tends to decrease with duration of exposure. It does not only mainly depend on the availability of water but is also controlled by transport processes within the materials and stability of the observed substances. Runoff amount proved to be a suitable basis to compare results from different experiments. Concentrations of substances are higher in runoff collected from vertical surfaces compared to horizontal ones, whereas the leached amounts per surface area are higher from horizontal surfaces. Gaps in mass balances indicate that additional processes such as degradation and evaporation may be relevant to the fate of active substances in treated articles. Leached amounts of substances were considerably higher when the materials were exposed to intermittent water contact under laboratory conditions as compared to weathering of vertically exposed surfaces. CONCLUSIONS Experiences from the field experiments were used to define parameters of a procedure that is now provided to fulfil the requirements of the Biocidal Products Regulation. The experiments confirmed that the amount of water which is in contact with exposed surfaces is the crucial parameter determining leaching of substances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ute Schoknecht
- Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und -prüfung (BAM), Berlin, Germany
| | - Helena Mathies
- Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und -prüfung (BAM), Berlin, Germany
| | - Robby Wegner
- MPA Eberswalde, Materialprüfanstalt Brandenburg GmbH, Eberswalde, Germany
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Abstract
Cosmetovigilance is a recent concept. The term itself has just been indexed. It is a form of health public surveillance with a public health objective; it therefore differs from the surveillance carried out by industrialists, who aim at the safety of the product for commercial purposes, and differs from peer surveillance (Revidal-Gerda), whose purpose is medical. Cosmetovigilance concerns cosmetic products. The 2006 European resolution has laid the ground work for a cosmetovigilance system based on case notifications. As of 2013, the new European regulation requires that serious undesirable effects reported to the competent authority should be transmitted to the competent authorities of the other Member States and to the person responsible for the cosmetic product. Two problems are yet to be solved: causality assessment and reporting categories. Cosmetovigilance systems are genuine means of obtaining information on the safety of cosmetic products and their ingredients. They can be used by Europe to check that new directives ensure a high level of safety. Cosmetovigilance makes it possible to rule out or control potentially hazardous ingredients and can thus set our minds at ease about the products placed on the market.
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Mentzer D. Progress review of the European Paediatric Regulatory Framework after six years of implementation. Int J Pharm 2014; 469:240-3. [PMID: 24613178 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2014.03.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2013] [Revised: 02/28/2014] [Accepted: 03/04/2014] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
The EU regulation (EU 1901/2006 Paediatric Regulation) that entered into force in 2007 has changed the field of medicinal drug development for children in the EU. Five years after its implementation a large number changes due to this regulation have been incorporated by Pharmaceutical Industry considering the development of new candidate drug. This report is a review of changes already implemented and the aspects of paediatric drug development, which still needs to be addressed in future working in the fields to provide better medicines for children.
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Löfstedt RE. The informal European Parliamentary Working Group on Risk--history, remit, and future plans: a personal view. Risk Anal 2013; 33:1182-1187. [PMID: 23656596 DOI: 10.1111/risa.12065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
On September 5, 2012 the inaugural meeting of the European Parliamentary Working Group on Risk (WGR) took place in the European Parliament in Brussels. It is chaired by Mrs. Julie Girling (U.K. Conservative), Member of the European Parliament (MEP), and involves some 10-12 other MEPs representing a wide array of European political parties from across the EU member state countries, including Sweden, the Netherlands, and Hungary. The WGR is supported by a small secretariat reporting directly to Julie Girling MEP. In this background article of WGR, I discuss the background to why WGR was set up, the remit of the committee, and some of its possible future plans. I do this very much in a personal capacity, having suggested the formation of the committee in the first place and persuaded Mrs. Girling to chair it.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ragnar E Löfstedt
- Department of Geography, King's Centre for Risk Management, King's College London, Strand, London WC2R 2LS, UK.
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