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Lemey G, Larivière Y, Zola TM, Maketa V, Matangila J, Mitashi P, Vermeiren P, Thys S, De Bie J, Muhindo HM, Ravinetto R, Van Damme P, Van Geertruyden JP. Algorithm for the support of non-related (serious) adverse events in an Ebola vaccine trial in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. BMJ Glob Health 2021; 6:bmjgh-2021-005726. [PMID: 34183329 PMCID: PMC8240587 DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2021-005726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2021] [Accepted: 06/13/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Implementing an Ebola vaccine trial in a remote area in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), and being confronted with a dysfunctional health care system and acute unmet health needs of participants, ethical considerations were made regarding the ancillary care obligations of the sponsor and researchers. Spurred by the occurrence of non-related (serious) adverse events (NR-SAEs), the Universities of Antwerp and Kinshasa jointly developed an algorithm, accompanied by an algorithm policy. The algorithm consists of a set of consecutive questions with binary response options, leading to structured, non-arbitrary and consistent support and management for each NR-SAE. It is the result of dialogue and collaboration between the sponsor (University of Antwerp) and the principal investigator (University of Kinshasa), consultation of literature, and input of research ethics and social sciences experts. The characteristics of the project and its budgetary framework were taken into account, as well as the local socioeconomic and healthcare situation. The algorithm and related policy have been approved by the relevant ethics committee (EC), so field implementation will begin when the study activities resume in November 2021. Lessons learnt will be shared with the relevant stakeholders within and outside DRC. If NR-SAEs are not covered by a functioning social welfare system, sponsors and researchers should develop a feasible, standardised and transparent approach to the provision of ancillary care. National legislation and contextualised requirements are therefore needed, particularly in low/middle-income countries, to guide researchers and sponsors in this process. Protocols, particularly of clinical trials conducted in areas with ‘access to care’ constraints, should include adequate ancillary care arrangements. Furthermore, it is essential that local ECs systematically require ancillary care provisions to enhance the well-being and protection of the rights of research participants. This project was funded by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme, European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations, and the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gwen Lemey
- Global Health Institute, University of Antwerp, Antwerpen, Belgium .,Centre for the Evaluation of Vaccination, University of Antwerp, Antwerpen, Belgium
| | - Ynke Larivière
- Global Health Institute, University of Antwerp, Antwerpen, Belgium.,Centre for the Evaluation of Vaccination, University of Antwerp, Antwerpen, Belgium
| | - Trésor Matuvanga Zola
- Tropical Medicine Department, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Vivi Maketa
- Tropical Medicine Department, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Junior Matangila
- Tropical Medicine Department, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Patrick Mitashi
- Tropical Medicine Department, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Peter Vermeiren
- Global Health Institute, University of Antwerp, Antwerpen, Belgium.,Centre for the Evaluation of Vaccination, University of Antwerp, Antwerpen, Belgium
| | - Séverine Thys
- Global Health Institute, University of Antwerp, Antwerpen, Belgium.,Centre for the Evaluation of Vaccination, University of Antwerp, Antwerpen, Belgium
| | - Jessie De Bie
- Global Health Institute, University of Antwerp, Antwerpen, Belgium.,Centre for the Evaluation of Vaccination, University of Antwerp, Antwerpen, Belgium
| | - Hypolite Mavoko Muhindo
- Tropical Medicine Department, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Raffaella Ravinetto
- Department of Public Health, Institute of Tropical Medicine Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Pierre Van Damme
- Centre for the Evaluation of Vaccination, University of Antwerp, Antwerpen, Belgium
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Kapumba BM, Desmond N, Seeley J. What do we know about ancillary care practices in East and Southern Africa? A systematic review and meta-synthesis. Wellcome Open Res 2021. [DOI: 10.12688/wellcomeopenres.16858.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Despite growing calls for the provision of ancillary care to study participants during medical research, there remains a noticeable gap in ethical guidelines for medical researchers in resource-constrained settings (RCS). We reviewed recent studies to determine the extent to which ancillary care is provided in East and Southern Africa and to examine the ethical justifications researchers provide to support their views on ancillary care obligations. Methods: A systematic search for qualitative and mixed methods studies on ancillary care was conducted across MEDLINE, Embase, African Wide Information, PubMed, CINAHL Plus, and Scopus. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) Department of Bioethics and H3 Africa websites and Google Scholar were further searched. Studies conducted in East and Southern Africa between 2004 and 2020, as well as those that reported on ancillary care provided to study participants were included. All studies included in this review were evaluated for methodological quality as well as bias risk. NVivo version 12 was used for thematic analysis. Results: Overall, 4,710 articles were identified by the initial search. After the data extraction and quality assessment, 24 articles were included. Key areas presented include ancillary care approaches and the themes of researcher motivation for providing ancillary care and expectations of participants in medical research. The review shows that while some international researchers do provide ancillary care to their study participants, approaches are not standardised without consistent guidelines for ethical practice for ancillary care. We found limited empirical studies in RCS that report on ancillary care, hence findings in this review are based on single studies rather than a collection of multiple studies. Conclusions: This paper emphasizes the value of establishing ethics guidelines for medical researchers in RCS who consider provision of ancillary care to their participants, and the need to account for these ethical guidelines in medical research.
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Kieh MW, Browne SM, Grandits GA, Blie J, Doe-Anderson JW, Hoover ML, Davis B, Reilly CS, Neaton JD, Lane HC, Kennedy SB. Adult and paediatric haematology and clinical chemistry laboratory reference limits for Liberia. Afr J Lab Med 2020; 9:1080. [PMID: 33354527 PMCID: PMC7736678 DOI: 10.4102/ajlm.v9i1.1080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2019] [Accepted: 08/12/2020] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Background As more research is conducted in Liberia, there is a need for laboratory reference limits for common chemistry and haematology values based on a healthy population. Reference limits from the United States may not be applicable. Objective The aim of this study was to present laboratory reference ranges from a Liberian population and compare them to United States ranges. Methods Serum chemistry and haematology values from 2529 adults and 694 children and adolescents obtained from two studies conducted in Liberia between 2015 to 2017 were used to determine reference limits. After removing outliers, the reference limits defined by the 2.5th and 97.5th percentiles were determined by sex in three age groups (6–11, 12–17, and 18+ years). Results The median (interquartile range) of adults was 29 (23, 37) years; 44% were female. The median (interquartile range) for children and adolescents was 12 (9, 15) years; 53% were female. Several reference ranges determined using Liberian participants differed from those in the US. For chemistries, a high percentage of both adults and children/adolescents had high serum chloride levels based on United States ranges. For haematology, a high percentage of Liberian participants had haemoglobin and related assays below the lower limit of United States ranges. Conclusion Chemistry and haematology reference intervals determined for a Liberian population of healthy individuals should be considered for establishing eligibility criteria and monitoring of laboratory adverse events for clinical trials as well as for use in clinical settings in Liberia and perhaps for other countries in Western Africa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark W Kieh
- Partnership for Research on Ebola Virus in Liberia (PREVAIL), New Kru Town, Monrovia, Liberia
| | - Sarah M Browne
- Partnership for Research on Ebola Virus in Liberia (PREVAIL), New Kru Town, Monrovia, Liberia
| | - Greg A Grandits
- Division of Biostatistics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States
| | - Julie Blie
- Partnership for Research on Ebola Virus in Liberia (PREVAIL), New Kru Town, Monrovia, Liberia
| | | | - Marie L Hoover
- Advanced BioMedical Laboratories, Cinnaminson, New Jersey, United States
| | - Bionca Davis
- Division of Biostatistics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States
| | - Cavan S Reilly
- Division of Biostatistics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States
| | - James D Neaton
- Division of Biostatistics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States
| | - H Clifford Lane
- Division of Clinical Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States
| | - Stephen B Kennedy
- Partnership for Research on Ebola Virus in Liberia (PREVAIL), New Kru Town, Monrovia, Liberia.,Liberian College of Physicians and Surgeons, Monrovia, Liberia
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Speich B, von Niederhäusern B, Schur N, Hemkens LG, Fürst T, Bhatnagar N, Alturki R, Agarwal A, Kasenda B, Pauli-Magnus C, Schwenkglenks M, Briel M. Systematic review on costs and resource use of randomized clinical trials shows a lack of transparent and comprehensive data. J Clin Epidemiol 2017; 96:1-11. [PMID: 29288136 DOI: 10.1016/j.jclinepi.2017.12.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2017] [Revised: 12/05/2017] [Accepted: 12/20/2017] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Randomized clinical trials (RCTs) are costly. We aimed to provide a systematic overview of the available evidence on resource use and costs for RCTs to support budget planning. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING We systematically searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, and HealthSTAR from inception until November 30, 2016 without language restrictions. We included any publication reporting empirical data on resource use and costs of RCTs and categorized them depending on whether they reported (i) resource and costs of all aspects at all study stages of an RCT (including conception, planning, preparation, conduct, and all tasks after the last patient has completed the RCT); (ii) on several aspects, (iii) on a single aspect (e.g., recruitment); or (iv) on overall costs for RCTs. Median costs of different recruitment strategies were calculated. Other results (e.g., overall costs) were listed descriptively. All cost data were converted into USD 2017. RESULTS A total of 56 articles that reported on cost or resource use of RCTs were included. None of the articles provided empirical resource use and cost data for all aspects of an entire RCT. Eight articles presented resource use and cost data on several aspects (e.g., aggregated cost data of different drug development phases, site-specific costs, selected cost components). Thirty-five articles assessed costs of one specific aspect of an RCT (i.e., 30 on recruitment; five others). The median costs per recruited patient were USD 409 (range: USD 41-6,990). Overall costs of an RCT, as provided in 16 articles, ranged from USD 43-103,254 per patient, and USD 0.2-611.5 Mio per RCT but the methodology of gathering these overall estimates remained unclear in 12 out of 16 articles (75%). CONCLUSION The usefulness of the available empirical evidence on resource use and costs of RCTs is limited. Transparent and comprehensive resource use and cost data are urgently needed to support budget planning for RCTs and help improve sustainability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Speich
- Department of Clinical Research, Basel Institute for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Basel and University Hospital Basel, Switzerland
| | - Belinda von Niederhäusern
- Clinical Trial Unit, Department of Clinical Research, University of Basel and University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Nadine Schur
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Medicine, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Lars G Hemkens
- Department of Clinical Research, Basel Institute for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Basel and University Hospital Basel, Switzerland
| | - Thomas Fürst
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland; School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Neera Bhatnagar
- Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Reem Alturki
- Multi Organ Transplant Center, King Fahad Specialist Hospital Dammam, P.O. Box 15215, Dammam 31444, Saudi Arabia
| | - Arnav Agarwal
- Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada; School of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Benjamin Kasenda
- Department of Clinical Research, Basel Institute for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Basel and University Hospital Basel, Switzerland; Department of Medical Oncology, University of Basel and University Hospital Basel, Switzerland
| | - Christiane Pauli-Magnus
- Clinical Trial Unit, Department of Clinical Research, University of Basel and University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Matthias Schwenkglenks
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Medicine, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland; Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Prevention Institute, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Matthias Briel
- Department of Clinical Research, Basel Institute for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Basel and University Hospital Basel, Switzerland; Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
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Dekoven M, Makin C, Slaff S, Marcus M, Maiese EM. Economic Burden of HIV Antiretroviral Therapy Adverse Events in the United States. J Int Assoc Provid AIDS Care 2015. [PMID: 26224690 DOI: 10.1177/2325957415594883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To estimate health care costs associated with medical events identified as antiretroviral therapy (ART)-attributable adverse events (AEs). METHODS During September 2006 to June 2012, adults with ≥1 HIV International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification diagnosis code (042/V08), ≥1 claim for ART prescription (March 2007-June 2011; index date), and continuous health plan enrollment for ≥6 months pre- and ≥12 months postindex were included (IMS' PharMetrics Plus Health Plan Claims Database). Patients with events of interest/ART claim during preindex period or with pregnancy/hepatitis C virus diagnosis/hepatitis B virus/cancer/tuberculosis during the study period were excluded. Postindex medical events were defined as first diagnosis code of event with ART claim ≤60 days prior to start of the event. RESULTS Differences in median total all-cause health care costs observed for diabetes/insulin resistance management (US$14,547 median all-cause health care costs during time periods identified as diabetes/insulin resistance medical events versus US$11,237 without diabetes/insulin resistance events; P=.0021), lipid disorders (US$12,825 versus US$10,033; P=.0004), and renal disorders (US$1389 versus US$0; P<.0001). DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION Health care costs of ART AEs should be key consideration for payers/providers in HIV management.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Eric M Maiese
- Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp, Whitehouse Station, NJ, USA
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Simpson KN, Chen SY, Wu AW, Boulanger L, Chambers R, Nedrow K, Tawadrous M, Pashos CL, Haider S. Costs of adverse events among patients with HIV infection treated with nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors. HIV Med 2014; 15:488-98. [PMID: 24641448 DOI: 10.1111/hiv.12145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/27/2014] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The aim of the study was to assess the incidence and costs of adverse events (AEs) among patients with HIV infection treated with nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs) from the health care system perspective. METHODS US medical and pharmacy claims during 2004-2009 were examined to select adult new NNRTI users with HIV infection. The incidence of selected AEs and time to occurrence were assessed during the first year. Episodes of care for each AE were identified using claims associated with AE management. For each AE, a propensity score model was used to match patients with an AE to those without (1:4) based on the propensity of having an AE. Mean total health care costs, AE-associated costs and incremental costs per episode, and annual total health care costs per patient were calculated. RESULTS Of the 2548 NNRTI-treated patients, 29.3% experienced AEs. The incidence ranged from 0.4 episodes/1000 person-years for suicide/self-injury to 14.9 episodes/1000 person-years for dizziness, 49.8 episodes/1000 person-years for depression and 150.3 episodes/1000 person-years for lipid disorder. The mean AE-associated cost (duration) per episode ranged from $586 (88 days) for lipid disorder to $975 (33 days) for rash, $2760 (73 days) for sleep-related symptoms and $4434 (41 days) for nausea/vomiting. The mean incremental cost per episode ranged from $1580 for rash to $2032 for lipid disorder, $8307 for sleep-related symptoms and $12 833 for nausea/vomiting. During the 12 months following NNRTI initiation, the mean annual total health care cost was $27 299 (efavirenz: $26 185; other NNRTIs: $34 993) and AE-associated costs were $608 (efavirenz: $554; other NNRTIs: $979) among all NNRTI users. CONCLUSIONS With treatment increasing patient survival, comparisons of therapeutic regimens should consider treatment-associated AEs. Findings from this study could be informative for clinicians and payers in managing HIV infection with NNRTIs.
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Affiliation(s)
- K N Simpson
- Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
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Simpson KN, Baran RW, Kirbach SE, Dietz B. Economics of switching to second-line antiretroviral therapy with lopinavir/ritonavir in Africa: estimates based on DART trial results and costs for Uganda and Kenya. VALUE IN HEALTH : THE JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY FOR PHARMACOECONOMICS AND OUTCOMES RESEARCH 2011; 14:1048-54. [PMID: 22152173 DOI: 10.1016/j.jval.2011.06.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2010] [Revised: 06/19/2011] [Accepted: 06/20/2011] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Substantial immunological improvement has been reported for HIV-infected patients who switch from a failing regimen to a protease inhibitor regimen with Lopinavir/ritonavir (LPV/r). We use decision analysis modeling to estimate health and economic consequences expected from this switch. METHODS A Markov model combined best evidence for CD4(+) T-cell response, infectious disease events, death rates, and quality of life for African populations with Kenyan and Ugandan data on drug and medical care costs. We estimate the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of switching to an LPV/r-based regimen versus remaining on a failed first antiretroviral (ARV) regimen or discontinuing all ARV drugs. The model assumes concurrent use of cotrimoxazole, and 4% annual loss to follow-up. Local effects due to prevalence of malaria and tuberculosis are included in the model. Sensitivity analysis examines the effects of varying disease, ARV therapy and CD4(+) T-cell cost, and ART discontinuation assumptions. RESULTS The base model estimates an improvement of 20 months in average survival for the LPV/r group. The respective LPV/r ICER for Kenya is $1483 per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) compared to $1673/QALY for Uganda. The ICERs increase to $1517 and $1707, respectively, if CD4(+) T-cell tests cost $25. The model comparing switching to LPV/r to discontinuing all ARV drugs decreases both costs and benefits proportionally for the treatment groups. CONCLUSION The estimates are clearly below the most stringent World Health Organization benchmark for cost-effectiveness for Kenya and within the acceptable range of cost-effectiveness for Uganda. Thus, the switch to second-line therapy with LPV/r in these countries appears to be a cost-effective use of resources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kit N Simpson
- Department of Health Leadership and Management, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA.
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Considerations in using US-based laboratory toxicity tables to evaluate laboratory toxicities among healthy malawian and Ugandan infants. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr 2010; 55:58-64. [PMID: 20588184 DOI: 10.1097/qai.0b013e3181db059d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To determine normal hematologic and selected blood chemistry values among healthy, full-term, non-HIV-exposed infants in Uganda and Malawi, and to determine the proportion of healthy babies with an apparent laboratory toxicity based on Division of AIDS toxicity tables. DESIGN This was a cross-sectional laboratory study of infants from birth to 6 months of age. METHODS Blood samples were collected from a total of 561 infants and analyzed according to age categories similar to those in the 2004 Division of AIDS toxicity tables. Select chemistry and hematology parameters were determined and values compared with those in the toxicity tables. RESULTS In the first 56 days of life, there were few graded toxicities except for neutropenia in 2 of 10 (20%) Ugandan and 13 of 45 (29%) Malawian infants at birth. After 7 days, about 20% of the infants in Uganda and Malawi would have been classified as having a neutropenia whereas 47% and 53% of those more than 2 months of age in Uganda and Malawi respectively, would have been reported as having an abnormal hemoglobin. Chemistry findings were not different from US norms. CONCLUSIONS These findings underscore the importance of establishing relevant local laboratory norms for infants.
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Current awareness: Pharmacoepidemiology and drug safety. Pharmacoepidemiol Drug Saf 2008. [PMID: 18533281 PMCID: PMC7167700 DOI: 10.1002/pds.1487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
In order to keep subscribers up‐to‐date with the latest developments in their field, John Wiley & Sons are providing a current awareness service in each issue of the journal. The bibliography contains newly published material in the field of pharmacoepidemiology and drug safety. Each bibliography is divided into 20 sections: 1 Reviews; 2 General; 3 Anti‐infective Agents; 4 Cardiovascular System Agents; 5 CNS Depressive Agents; 6 Non‐steroidal Anti‐inflammatory Agents; 7 CNS Agents; 8 Anti‐neoplastic Agents; 9 Haematological Agents; 10 Neuroregulator‐Blocking Agents; 11 Dermatological Agents; 12 Immunosuppressive Agents; 13 Autonomic Agents; 14 Respiratory System Agents; 15 Neuromuscular Agents; 16 Reproductive System Agents; 17 Gastrointestinal System Agents; 18 Anti‐inflammatory Agents ‐ Steroidal; 19 Teratogens/fetal exposure; 20 Others. Within each section, articles are listed in alphabetical order with respect to author. If, in the preceding period, no publications are located relevant to any one of these headings, that section will be omitted.
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