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Effect of E uropean M edicines A gency's restrictions on trimetazidine utilization in P ortugal
Author(s) -
Pinto Daniel,
Silva Ana,
Heleno Bruno,
Rodrigues David Silvério,
Santos Isabel,
Caetano Pedro A.
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
pharmacoepidemiology and drug safety
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.023
H-Index - 96
eISSN - 1099-1557
pISSN - 1053-8569
DOI - 10.1002/pds.4585
Subject(s) - trimetazidine , medicine , portuguese , reimbursement , pharmacy , adverse effect , health care , family medicine , pharmacology , economic growth , philosophy , linguistics , economics
Abstract Purpose Following safety concerns regarding trimetazidine, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) recommended restrictions on its use. Our objective was to determine the impact of regulatory actions on trimetazidine utilization in Portugal. Methods Retrospective interrupted time‐series analysis of monthly ambulatory pharmacy reimbursement records for the Portuguese National Health Service between January 2006 and December 2015. Regulatory actions were identified by searching the EMA, Portuguese Medicines Authority, and European Commission's websites. Concurrent factors in the same period were also identified. The main outcome was the dispensing of trimetazidine‐containing products per month in Portugal. Results Two interruption periods were defined in the series: May 2011, when EMA announced it would review trimetazidine safety, and June 2012 to January 2013, when EMA announced it had reached a final opinion recommending restrictions; the European Commission approved EMA's recommendation; the Portuguese Medicines Authority issued safety alerts, changed the summary of product characteristics, and approved a direct health‐care professional letter; and a regional bulletin was issued. Interruption 1 had no effect on trimetazidine use, but interruption 2 resulted in decreases in level and trend—from 8.3 million defined daily doses in 2010 to 2.8 million in 2015. After interruption 2, trimetazidine use tended towards a lower steady state. Conclusions There was a significant decrease in trimetazidine use in Portugal following a complex intervention that included safety alerts, changes to the summary of product characteristics, a direct health‐care professional letter, and a regional drug bulletin. No effect was seen when EMA announced its review of trimetazidine safety.