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Indian Journal of Pharmacology
Medknow Publications on behalf of Indian Pharmacological Society
ISSN: 0253-7613 EISSN: 1998-3751
Vol. 37, Num. 6, 2005, pp. 416-416
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Indian Journal of Pharmacology, Vol. 37, No. 6, November-December, 2005, pp. 416
Web-Wise
Medsafe
Singh J
Website Editor, IJP
Correspondence Address:Website Editor, IJP, Email: jatindersingh@vsnl.com
Code Number: ph05114
www.medsafe.gov.nz
The World Health Organization (WHO) has popularised
the approach that access to medicines relies on four integral factors:
rational selection of medicines, affordable prices, sustainable financing
of healthcare (including medicines) and reliable health and supply systems.
An effective and transparent medicines regulatory system forms the basis
for such an initiative. National medicine regulatory authority of any
country approve the use of medicines in context of these principles,
having considered evidence of the medicine′s safety, quality and efficacy. The broader scope of "therapeutic products" has
now increasingly come to mean not only medicines but allied products
like nutraceuticals, health supplements, medical devices and most importantly,
traditional herbal remedies. Not many nations have launched initiatives
to inculcate these novel components into their medicine regulatory system.
New Zealand is a country that has acknowledged the need for addressing
the issue of the use of herbal medicines and medical devices along with
other regulatory measures. Medsafe (www.medsafe.gov.nz) is the New Zealand
Medicines and Medical Devices Safety Authority which is responsible for
the regulation of therapeutic products. The home page of the organization
is unpretentious and consists of various navigable links. Distinctive
well laid out sections deal with the needs of both health professionals
and consumers. A drug bulletin, "Prescriber Update" that provides updated information regarding the status of and use of medicines is available on the health professionals′page.
Recent issues have dealt with many contemporary topics including controversies
surrounding the use of COX-2 inhibitors, counterfeit drugs and adverse
drug reactions. The page also hosts Data Sheets of medicines which are
searchable by name. Information on Clinical Trials and Good Clinical
Research Guidelines are available in addition to Adverse Drug Reaction
reporting, drug abuse and regulatory issues. Subsections on medical devices
and unapproved medicines are the unique features of this section.
The section meant for consumers contains an archived and searchable
database of articles published in Consumer Medicines Information.
This publication
is unique in the fact that it is sponsored and written by different
pharmaceutical companies in accordance with the guidelines issued
by Medsafe. Patient
information leaflets on common concerns are also hosted on this link.
The sections on safe use of medicines, consumer rights and reporting
of side-effects, empower the consumer to be better informed and participate
in treatment in a more responsible manner. Regulatory information is
contained on another link which provides access to various legislations,
databases, forms and guidelines. The COMET (Complementary Medicine
Transition) Database is a web-based reporting and registration system
for including
novel herbal products. Constructed on similar lines, another database,
WAND (Web Assisted Notification of Devices) keeps an account of new
medical devices. The Hot Topics section provides updated information
on the use
of drugs and their labelled uses, it also provides cautionary warnings
on the use of herbal, traditional and complementary remedies. A number
of publications ranging from drug information, regulatory guidelines,
good manufacturing practices and legislations can be downloaded from
the website. These guides provide an insight into the working of this
efficient and transparent regulatory system, which can be readily duplicated
for use in any setting.
The website seeks to address various regulatory and other issues related
to the use of medicines, complementary medicines, herbal products
and medical devices. It succeeds in doing so in an eminently lucid manner.
The contents are especially geared to address the needs of regulatory
authorities, researchers, practitioners and those looking for ideas
in order to apply web-based information to practice.
Copyright 2005 - Indian Journal of Pharmacology
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