ESPRIT news
Consensus updated with new branded generic
5 Jan 2012
The Consensus document on generic immunosuppressants (see News item dated 16th August 2011) has a new addition to the Appendix, where a list of the currently available generic immunosuppressants can be found.
Pharmacy sued following kidney rejection
18 Nov 2011
The ESPRIT Group is aware of a recent legal case in which a patient sought damages from a community pharmacist following the dispensing of an incorrect preparation of tacrolimus. Unfortunately the patient in question rejected their transplanted kidney and returned to dialysis. The pharmacy did not take responsibility for the kidney rejection but admitted dispensing the wrong product and provided compensation in consideration of that.
Latest US study in kidney and liver transplantation underlines importance of monitoring if switching between immediate-release tacrolimus formulations
2 Nov 2011
In a recent edition of American Journal of Transplantation, Momper et al report on a study in which stable kidney and liver transplant patients were switched from Prograf to generic tacrolimus. They conclude that such a controlled switch can take place but reinforce that trough drug concentrations should be closely monitored. In the same edition is a linked editorial by G.B. Klintmalm, which reinforces the dangers for transplant patients and questions whether any financial savings can really be made, providing some local financial data which suggests a net increase in cost. See Am J Transplant. 2011 Sep;11(9):1765-6.
Survey of views of renal transplant patients on generic substitution published
1 Nov 2011
The full results of the UK patient survey presented as a poster at the 2011 BTS Congress have now been published in Transplant International
British Journal of Pharmacology publication on generic and therapeutic substitution
1 Nov 2011
A new European publication on the beliefs around when generic substitution is appropriate, challenges existing thinking and argues that guidelines are needed for clinical practice
New ESOT Recommendations in Publication
28 Oct 2011
Recommendations from the European Society of Transplantation Advisory Committee are now in publication in Transplant International
Consensus updated with new branded generic
26 Sep 2011
The Consensus document on generic immunosuppressants (see News item dated 16th August 2011) has a new addition to the Appendix, where a list of the currently available generic immunosuppressants can be found.
Generic substitution in Denmark terminated for ciclosporin and tacrolimus
21 Sep 2011
The Danish Medicines Agency has reassessed its position on generic formulations of oral ciclosporin and tacrolimus and now considers that generic substitution should no longer be possible for these substances. Their position had previously been that the medicines could be generically substitutable if assessed to be therapeutically interchangeable, and if bioequivalence between the generic version and the original product was established based on stringent criteria.
NEW Consensus Document on Generic Immunosuppressants in Transplant Patients
16 Aug 2011
The ESPRIT Group has collaborated with the British Transplantation Society, National Kidney Federation, British Liver Trust and British Cardiac Patients Association to produce a new consensus document on the implications of generic immunosuppressants for transplant patients. It provides clear, succint and practical recommendations that can be universally applied to help ensure safety and wellbeing in this important patient sector.
Latest ESPRIT Group presentation
31 May 2011
The members of the ESPRIT Group are often called upon to present on appropriate prescribing and dispensing for transplant patients. There is a core set of slides which can be tailored to meet the needs of various different audiences
