Letters sent to healthcare professionals in April 2016

In April 2016, letters were sent regarding canagliflozin (Invokana▼, Vokanamet▼), BCR-ABL tyrosine kinase inhibitors, pomalidomide (Imnovid▼), and retigabine (Trobalt)

Idelalisib (Zydelig▼): interim measures following signal of serious infection and deaths related to infection found in clinical trials

There are new interim treatment recommendations for idelalisib for chronic lymphocytic leukaemia and follicular lymphoma in light of new findings from clinical trials outside its currently authorised drug combinations or indicated populations.

Pomalidomide (Imnovid▼): risk of hepatitis B reactivation

Before starting treatment with pomalidomide, establish hepatitis B virus status in all patients.

BCR-ABL tyrosine kinase inhibitors: risk of hepatitis B reactivation

Patients should be tested for hepatitis B virus before starting treatment with BCR-ABL tyrosine kinase inhibitors.

 

Posted on the UK MHRA website on 10 May 2016