News in brief - November 2013

17 October 2013

Other new launches, licence changes and updates relevant to general practice.

Ortho-Gynest (estriol) pessaries have been discontinued.
Use of clopidogrel has been associated with a small number of cases of acquired haemophilia; however, the risk-benefit balance of the drug is unchanged.
The influenza vaccines Enzira (Pfizer), Fluvirin (Novartis) and Viroflu (Janssen-Cilag) are now available for the current flu season.
Travel vaccination advice for some countries, including rabies recommendations for Greece and Spain, has been updated.
Stelara (ustekinumab) is now licensed for the treatment of active psoriatic arthritis in adults unresponsive to DMARDs.
Ilaris (canakinumab) has been approved for use in patients with active systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis aged 2 years and older.

Mims