Evaluation of marketing authorization and labels of medicines in 2021 WHO Model List of Essential Medicines for Children in China, the Russian Federation and Brazil

OBJECTIVE

This work compares the marketing authorization, labels and dosage forms of medicines in the WHO Model List of Essential Medicines for Children (EMLc) in China, the Russian Federation and Brazil to urge policymakers to pay more attention to paediatric medication.

METHODS

Medicines were selected from the 8th EMLc. By searching relevant databases, which include different types of medical information in China, the Russian Federation and Brazil, the marketing authorization, labels and dosage forms of paediatric medicines in the three countries were evaluated.

RESULTS

A total of 485 drug products containing 312 active pharmaceutical ingredients listed in the WHO EMLc were evaluated. Among them, 344 products were approved for use in China, 286 in the Russian Federation and 264 in Brazil. Out of the 344 approved medicines, 317 (92.15%) were authorized for paediatric use in China, 224 (78.32%) in the Russian Federation and 218 (82.58%) in Brazil. In terms of guidance information labelling on drug labels, 75.08%, 83.04% and 88.07% of paediatric drugs approved in China, the Russian Federation and Brazil, respectively, clearly indicated the usage and dosage for paediatric use. Additionally, injections and tablets were the most prevalent dosage forms in these three countries.

CONCLUSION

There is still scope for enhancing the marketing authorization and development of dosage forms for paediatric medicines in the three countries. Furthermore, additional measures are being implemented to enhance the information provided on drug labels for children, particularly in China.

[The determinants of vaccination against the new coronavirus infection (COVID-19) of residents of the circumpolar region of Russia]

The maintenance of health of residents of the Northern Regions of Russia, including those living in the Arctic zone of the cbountry, is a condition of its advance development in XXI century. The percentage of Russian citizen vaccinated against the new coronavirus infection (COVID-19) does not exceed 50% after beginning of implementation of vaccination program. It can be conditioned by lower level of both of credence of citizen to health care system and health literacy.Purpose of the study is to establish determinants of vaccination of population against COVID-19 in circumpolar region of Russia as exemplified by the Arkhangelsk Oblast.The sociological survey was carried out using the interview technique of patients of medical organizations (n=433) and conditionally healthy residents of the Arkhangelsk Oblast (n=139). To evaluate the level of general health literacy the Russian version of questionnaire HLS19 - Q22-RU was applied. The most of conditionally healthy respondents and consumers of medical services looked for information about methods of prevention and treatment (80.4% and 58.2% correspondingly), had an experience of vaccination against COVID-19 (79% and 56.3% correspondingly). The relative chances of conditionally healthy respondents, women, and respondents having no children and no credence to national health care system to independently look for information related to COVID-19 is higher at 2.94, 2.08, 1.55 and 1.48-1.57 times correspondingly. The relative chances of conditionally healthy respondents having no children in family and assessing one's economic status as "higher than average" to be vaccinated against COVID-19 is higher at 4.02, 1.52, 1.53 times correspondingly. Availability of experience of vaccination against COVID-19 is conditioned by higher level of general health literacy.In the Arkhangelsk Oblast and other circumpolar regions of Russia the programs of increasing loyalty of citizen to measures of population prevention, including vaccine prevention, is to be implemented with consideration of established determinants of of vaccinations against COVID-19.

Report on the Audit on Burden of Osteoporosis in Eight Countries of the Eurasian Region: Armenia, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, the Russian Federation, and Uzbekistan

The audit provides a detailed analysis of the burden of osteoporosis and differences between Armenia, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, the Russian Federation, and Uzbekistan with regard to prevalence of osteoporosis and incidence of osteoporotic fractures, future demographic changes, diagnostic resources, and treatment availability.

PURPOSE

This paper describes the results of the Audit on Burden of Osteoporosis in Armenia, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, the Russian Federation, and Uzbekistan.

METHODS

We carried out a review of the available literature and a survey of the representatives of the national osteoporosis societies. All the information available in English, Russian, or national languages including the publications of local or regional importance was analyzed.

RESULTS

The expected number of osteoporosis patients varies from 240,000 in Armenia to 16 million in Russia. Low-energy fractures are a serious health problem in all countries with the highest incidence in Kazakhstan and Russia. The rate of hip fracture patients' hospitalization in the majority of countries is low (33-80%). In the coming decades the populations, in particular, in Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan, will continue to show increases in life expectancy with a corresponding increase in the number of fractures in older people. Thus, in 2050, the number of hip fractures in these countries will increase by 2.5-3.5 times. However, the availability of DXA devices in the region is low (0.2-1.3 per million), and DXA tests are expensive. Almost all modern treatments for osteoporosis are available, but the costs are high even for alendronate. Urgent action is needed at the national level in each country including recognition of osteoporosis as a priority health issue.

CONCLUSION

Osteoporosis is an important health problem in the countries of the Eurasian region that will only get worse in the future due to expected demographic changes.

Oral problems and associated risk indicators in adults in the Russian Federation, India, and China

BACKGROUND

Oral problems, known as a neglected epidemic, have become prevalent in Brazil, the Russian Federation, India, China, and South Africa (BRICS) countries in last decade. The objective of the study is to examine the prevalence and associated risk indicators of oral problems in adults in the Russian Federation, India, and China in BRICS countries.

METHODS

We used data from the first round of the Study of Global AGEing and Adult Health (SAGE), conducted by WHO in 2007-10 in selected BRICS countries. Oral problems are defined as if an adult had any mouth and/or teeth related problems including swallowing problems in last 1 year of the survey. We estimated the mean age of adults who had oral problems and used a t-test for comparing it by sex of adults. We determined the prevalence of oral problems in adults. We designed a hierarchical conceptual model to identify associated risk indicators with oral problems. Finally, we applied a multivariable binary logistic regression model based on a conceptual model to examine associated socioeconomic and demographic, behavioral and nutritional risk indicators and systemic diseases - diabetes, hypertension, and angina pectoris/angina with oral problems in adults.

RESULTS

The mean age of adults who had oral problems is lowest in India (57 years; SD: 15) and highest in China (65 years; SD: 11). However, it does not vary by sex of adults except India. The prevalence of oral problems is highest in the Russian Federation (35%) and lowest in China (9%). Adults with body mass index (BMI) less than 25 kg/m2, age 45 years or more, diabetes, hypertension, and angina pectoris/angina have a higher risk of oral problems. Females and adults using alcohol are also more likely to have oral problems in selected countries.

CONCLUSIONS

The study concludes that females, adults using alcohol and those having any systemic disease are at higher risk of oral problems in the Russian Federation, India, and China. A one-third of adults had oral problems in particularly, in the Russian Federation; thus there is an urgent need to formulate oral policy and program, which the country currently lacks in.