Maternal and neonatal data collection systems in low- and middle-income countries for maternal vaccines active safety surveillance systems: A scoping review.

BACKGROUND: Most post-licensure vaccine pharmacovigilance in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) are passive reporting systems. These have limited utility for maternal immunization pharmacovigilance in LMIC settings and need to be supplemented with active surveillance. Our study's main objective was to identify existing perinatal data collection systems in LMICs that collect individual information on maternal and neonatal health outcomes and could be developed to inform active safety surveillance of novel vaccines for use during pregnancy. METHODS: A scoping review was performed following the Arksey and O'Malley six-stage approach. We included studies describing electronic or mixed paper-electronic data collection systems in LMICs, including research networks, electronic medical records, and custom software platforms for health information systems. Medline PubMed, EMBASE, Global Health, Cochrane Library, LILACS, Bibliography of Asian Studies (BAS), and CINAHL were searched through August 2019. We also searched grey literature including through Google and websites of existing relevant perinatal data collection systems, as well as contacted authors of key studies and experts in the field to validate the information and identify additional sources of relevant unpublished information. RESULTS: A total of 11,817 records were identified. The full texts of 264 records describing 96 data collection systems were assessed for eligibility. Eight perinatal data collection systems met our inclusion criteria: Global Network's Maternal Newborn Health Registry, International Network for the Demographic Evaluation of Populations and their Health; Perinatal Informatic System; Pregnancy Exposure Registry & Birth Defects Surveillance; SmartCare; Open Medical Record System; Open Smart Register Platform and District Health Information Software 2. These selected systems were qualitatively characterized according to seven different domains: governance; system design; system management; data management; data sources, outcomes and data quality. CONCLUSION: This review provides a list of active maternal and neonatal data collection systems in LMICs and their characteristics as well as their outreach, strengths, and limitations. Findings could potentially help further understand where to obtain population-based high-quality information on outcomes to inform the conduct of maternal immunization active vaccine safety surveillance activities and research in LMICs.

Alpha spending for historical versus surveillance Poisson data with CMaxSPRT.

Sequential analysis hypothesis testing is now an important tool for postmarket drug and vaccine safety surveillance. When the number of adverse events accruing in time is assumed to follow a Poisson distribution, and if the baseline Poisson rate is assessed only with uncertainty, the conditional maximized sequential probability ratio test, CMaxSPRT, is a formal solution. CMaxSPRT is based on comparing monitored data with historical matched data, and it was primarily developed under a flat signaling threshold. This paper demonstrates that CMaxSPRT can be performed under nonflat thresholds too. We pose the discussion in the light of the alpha spending approach. In addition, we offer a rule of thumb for establishing the best shape of the signaling threshold in the sense of minimizing expected time to signal and expected sample size. An example involving surveillance for adverse events after influenza vaccination is used to illustrate the method.

Postmarketing Safety Events Relating to New Drugs Approved in Brazil Between 2003 and 2013: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

This study investigated postmarketing safety events (PMSEs) for new drugs approved in Brazil and evaluated whether a range of drug characteristics influenced the time between approval and the first PMSE. This retrospective study included new drugs registered between 2003 and 2013 by the National Health Surveillance Agency (ANVISA), which is responsible for medicines approval in Brazil. PMSEs were defined as any drug safety alert or drug withdrawal from the market. The existence of risk evaluation and mitigation strategies (REMS) by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Brazil were recorded. A Kaplan-Meier survival curve of the period between the date of ANVISA registration and the PMSE was calculated. We found a statistically significant difference between the time to PMSE for drugs with an FDA REMS compared with those without a REMS, with a log rank value (Mantel Cox) of 0.002. There was no association between the time to PMSE and the other drug characteristics investigated. This study demonstrated that the frequency of PMSEs for new drugs approved by ANVISA was statistically associated with the existence of an FDA REMS. The time between approval and first PMSE was shorter for drugs with an FDA REMS, and this finding may contribute to improved awareness of the risk/benefit balance required to ensure continued safe and effective use of new drugs.

Diretrizes regulatórias aplicáveis à cadeia dos produtos para saúde / Regulatory guidelines applicable to the chain of medical devices

A ciência e a tecnologia cada vez mais vêm proporcionando avanços em produtos inovadores. Particularmente na área da saúde nota-se eminente sinergismo entre os materiais utilizados, suas propriedades de biocompatibilidade, biofuncionalidade, processabilidade, esterilidade e a área de aplicabilidade no organismo humano. O setor farmacêutico por apresentar grande complexidade exige conhecimentos multidisciplinares, atualizados e em conformidade às tendências internacionais. A Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária (ANVISA) tem sob sua responsabilidade extensa diversidade de bens, serviços e produtos, dentre eles estão os correlatos, que também compreende os produtos para saúde. Os produtos para saúde são classificados conforme o seu risco, no Brasil podendo apresentar até quatro classes, sendo as classes III e IV as que caracterizam maior risco. Para alguns produtos, devido seu risco sanitário, é compulsório a Certificação de Conformidade pelo Instituto Nacional de Metrologia, Qualidade e Tecnologia (INMETRO) previamente a concessão de seu registro sanitário pela ANVISA. Dentre as normas técnicas aplicáveis pelo INMETRO estão as normas da Associação Brasileira de Normas Técnicas (ABNT) e na sua ausência, as normas da International Organization for Standardization (ISO). Outros requisitos técnicos e regulatórios devem ser contemplados com o propósito de comprovação da segurança e eficácia dos produtos. Entretanto, as regulamentações sanitárias inerentes a essa categoria de produtos ainda se encontram incipientes no país. A desenvoltura do setor produtivo nesse segmento pode ser evidenciada pelo aumento de novas solicitações na ANVISA e de seu crescimento na balança comercial. No entanto, observa-se pouco estudo e entendimento do setor regulado e regulador referente à relação mútua entre ANVISA, INMETRO e ABNT e quanto à regulação sanitária aplicável para obtenção da anuência do produto ao consumo. Na conjuntura das demandas apontadas o objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o processo regulatório aplicável à cadeia produtiva dos produtos para saúde com a finalidade de compreender a relação entre ANVISA, INMETRO e ABNT na garantia da qualidade, segurança e eficácia dos produtos. A metodologia aplicada neste trabalho foi à pesquisa qualitativa. Com o auxílio da pesquisa documental constatou-se que o processo regulatório brasileiro é complexo, específico e robusto e apresenta estrutura e exigências semelhantes dos Estados Unidos e União Europeia. A fiscalização pós-uso é uma tendência internacional e a ANVISA vem adotando com frequência com intuito de acompanhar a qualidade dos produtos comercializados. As três instituições apresentam competências definidas e regulamentadas, bem como mecanismos de inter-relação por meio de conselhos consultivos. O estudo de caso caracterizou que o perfil dos profissionais do setor regulado apresenta em grande percentual formação na área da saúde e nível de pós-graduação, porém o nível de conhecimento dos principais conceitos relativos aos produtos para saúde é parcial, reforçando a necessidade de incentivos de capacitação de recursos humanos em regulação em saúde

The science and technology increasingly been providing advancements in innovative products. Particularly in the health score is eminent synergism between the materials used, their properties of biocompatibility, biofunctionality, processability, sterility and applicability area of the human body. The pharmaceutical sector to present great complexity requires multidisciplinary knowledge, up to date and in line with international trends. The National Health Surveillance Agency (ANVISA) has under its responsibility extensive range of goods, services and products, among them are correlates, which also includes medical devices. Medical devices are classified according to their risk in Brazil may present up to four classes, and classes III and IV which characterize the greatest risk. For some products, because of their health risk, it is compulsory Compliance Certification by the National Institute of Metrology, Quality and Technology (INMETRO) prior to granting its sanitary registry by ANVISA. From among the technical standards the INMETRO are the standards of the Brazilian Association of Technical Standards (ABNT) and in his absence, the standards of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).Other technical and regulatory requirements must be included for the purpose of proving the safety and efficacy of products. However, the sanitary regulations inherent in this product category is still incipient in the country. The resourcefulness of the productive sector in this segment can be evidenced by the increase in new requests in ANVISA and its growth in the trade balance. However, there is little study and understanding of the regulated and regulatory sector concerning the mutual relationship between ANVISA, INMETRO and ABNT and on the sanitary regulation applicable to obtaining the approval of the product for consumption. In the context of the demands indicated the objective of this study was to evaluate the regulatory procedure applicable to the production chain of medical devices in order to understand the relationship between ANVISA, INMETRO and ABNT in ensuring quality, safety and efficacy of products. The methodology used in this study was the qualitative research. With the assistance of documentary research it was found that the Brazilian regulatory process is complex, specific and robust and has similar structure and requirements of the United States and European Union. The postmarketing monitoring is an international trend and ANVISA has adopted often aiming to monitor the quality of marketed products. The three institutions have defined and regulated competences and interrelation through advisory boards mechanisms. The case study characterized the profile of professionals in the regulated sector has a large percentage of training in health and post-graduate level, but the level of knowledge of the main concepts related to medical devices is partial, reinforcing the need for incentives training of human resources in health regulation

Cluster analysis of commercial samples of Bauhinia spp. using HPLC-UV/PDA and MCR-ALS/PCA without peak alignment procedure.

INTRODUCTION: Bauhinia forficata Link. is recognised by the Brazilian Health Ministry as a treatment of hypoglycemia and diabetes. Analytical methods are useful to assess the plant identity due the similarities found in plants from Bauhinia spp. HPLC-UV/PDA in combination with chemometric tools is an alternative widely used and suitable for authentication of plant material, however, the shifts of retention times for similar compounds in different samples is a problem. OBJECTIVE: To perform comparisons between the authentic medicinal plant (Bauhinia forficata Link.) and samples commercially available in drugstores claiming to be "Bauhinia spp. to treat diabetes" and to evaluate the performance of multivariate curve resolution - alternating least squares (MCR-ALS) associated to principal component analysis (PCA) when compared to pure PCA. METHODOLOGY: HPLC-UV/PDA data obtained from extracts of leaves were evaluated employing a combination of MCR-ALS and PCA, which allowed the use of the full chromatographic and spectrometric information without the need of peak alignment procedures. RESULTS: The use of MCR-ALS/PCA showed better results than the conventional PCA using only one wavelength. Only two of nine commercial samples presented characteristics similar to the authentic Bauhinia forficata spp., considering the full HPLC-UV/PDA data. CONCLUSION: The combination of MCR-ALS and PCA is very useful when applied to a group of samples where a general alignment procedure could not be applied due to the different chromatographic profiles. This work also demonstrates the need of more strict control from the health authorities regarding herbal products available on the market.

Caracterización de las reacciones adversas medicamentosas en ancianos: Matanzas, 2005-2009 / Characterization of the adverse drug reactions in elder people: Matanzas, 2005-2009

La presente investigación caracterizó las notificaciones de sospechas de reacciones adversas medicamentosas en personas mayores de 60 años, recibidas en la Unidad Coordinadora Provincial de Farmacovigilancia, desde el 1 de enero de 2005 al 31 de diciembre de 2009. Constituyeron objetivos del trabajo la identificación de los grupos farmacológicos que produjeron las reacciones adversas medicamentosas así como los fármacos más comprometidos, la clasificación de las reacciones adversas según la severidad, el mecanismo de producción, el sistema de órgano afectado y el grado de imputabilidad. Se trató de un estudio descriptivo, transversal, donde se utilizaron 521 notificaciones de reacciones adversas medicamentosas que se encontraban en la base de datos de dicha unidad. Los resultados más importantes de la investigación arrojaron, que los grupos farmacológicos con mayor representatividad fueron los antibacterianos, los antihipertensivos y los antiinflamatorios y analgésicos no opioides; los fármacos más frecuentes fueron el captopril, la ciprofloxacina y la nifedipina; las reacciones moderadas ocuparon el mayor por ciento respecto a leves y graves; predominó el mecanismo de producción tipo A; el sistema de órgano más afectado fue el piel y anejos, y el grado de imputabilidad probable fue el encontrado en mayor por ciento(AU)

The current investigation characterized the notifications of adverse drug reactions suspicions in people older than 60 years old, received in the Provincial Coordinating Unit of Pharmaco-surveillance, since January 1st 2005 until December 31st 2009. The objectives of the research were identifying the pharmacologic groups that produced adverse drug reactions and also the most compromised drugs, classifying the adverse reactions according to their seriousness, the producing mechanism, the organ system affected and the imputing level. It was a cross-sectional, descriptive study, where we used 521 notifications of adverse drug reactions stored in the data base of the Unit. The most important results of the research showed that the most representative pharmacologic groups were the antibacterial, the antihypertensive, the anti-inflammatory and the non-opioid analgesic ones; the most frequent drugs were the captopril, the ciprofloxacin and the nifedipine; the moderated reactions showed the highest percent, above the low ones and the serious ones; there it was a predomination of the Type A production mechanism; the most affected organ system was the skin and its related, and the probable imputing level was the one found in a higher percent(AU)

Caracterización de las reacciones adversas medicamentosas en ancianos: Matanzas, 2005-2009 / Characterization of the adverse drug reactions in elder people: Matanzas, 2005-2009

La presente investigación caracterizó las notificaciones de sospechas de reacciones adversas medicamentosas en personas mayores de 60 años, recibidas en la Unidad Coordinadora Provincial de Farmacovigilancia, desde el 1 de enero de 2005 al 31 de diciembre de 2009. Constituyeron objetivos del trabajo la identificación de los grupos farmacológicos que produjeron las reacciones adversas medicamentosas así como los fármacos más comprometidos, la clasificación de las reacciones adversas según la severidad, el mecanismo de producción, el sistema de órgano afectado y el grado de imputabilidad. Se trató de un estudio descriptivo, transversal, donde se utilizaron 521 notificaciones de reacciones adversas medicamentosas que se encontraban en la base de datos de dicha unidad. Los resultados más importantes de la investigación arrojaron, que los grupos farmacológicos con mayor representatividad fueron los antibacterianos, los antihipertensivos y los antiinflamatorios y analgésicos no opioides; los fármacos más frecuentes fueron el captopril, la ciprofloxacina y la nifedipina; las reacciones moderadas ocuparon el mayor por ciento respecto a leves y graves; predominó el mecanismo de producción tipo A; el sistema de órgano más afectado fue el piel y anejos, y el grado de imputabilidad probable fue el encontrado en mayor por ciento.

The current investigation characterized the notifications of adverse drug reactions suspicions in people older than 60 years old, received in the Provincial Coordinating Unit of Pharmaco-surveillance, since January 1st 2005 until December 31st 2009. The objectives of the research were identifying the pharmacologic groups that produced adverse drug reactions and also the most compromised drugs, classifying the adverse reactions according to their seriousness, the producing mechanism, the organ system affected and the imputing level. It was a cross-sectional, descriptive study, where we used 521 notifications of adverse drug reactions stored in the data base of the Unit. The most important results of the research showed that the most representative pharmacologic groups were the antibacterial, the antihypertensive, the anti-inflammatory and the non-opioid analgesic ones; the most frequent drugs were the captopril, the ciprofloxacin and the nifedipine; the moderated reactions showed the highest percent, above the low ones and the serious ones; there it was a predomination of the Type A production mechanism; the most affected organ system was the skin and its related, and the probable imputing level was the one found in a higher percent.

Development and validation of a HPLC analytical assay method for efavirenz tablets: a medicine for HIV infections / Desenvolvimento e validação de um método de ensaio de HPLC analítica para comprimidos de efavirenz: um medicamento para infecções por HIV

Efavirenz is a reverse transcriptase non analog nucleoside inhibitor used to treat HIV infections. A simple assay method by high performance liquid chromatography was developed and validated for efavirenz tablets. The physical chemical characteristics of efavirenz were investigated to developing the method. The method was validated observing the parameters described in USP 29. Analyses were performed by an ultraviolet detector at a 252 nm wavelength, on a reverse-phase column (C18, 250 mm x 3.9 mm, 10 μm), using an isocratic mobile phase containing acetonitrile/water/orthophosphoric acid (70:30:0.1). The validation parameters used were: selectivity, linearity, precision, accuracy, robustness, detection and quantification limits, and all resulting data were treated by a statistical method. The results obtained confirmed an alternative assay method for efavirenz tablets adequate for routine industrial use.

O efavirenz é um inibidor não análogo de nucleosídeo da transcriptase reversa, utilizado no tratamento da infecção por HIV. Um método simples, por cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência, foi desenvolvido e validado para quantificação do efavirenz em comprimidos. O desenvolvimento do método levou em consideração as características físico-químicas do efavirenz. O método foi validado seguindo os parâmetros da USP 29. A análise foi realizada por meio de detector ultravioleta, utilizando um comprimento de onda de 252 nm, com coluna de fase reversa (C18, 250 mm x 3.9 mm, 10 μm) e fase móvel isocrática contendo acetonitrila/água/ácido ortofosfórico (70: 30: 0.1). Os critérios usados para validação foram: seletividade, linearidade, precisão, exatidão, robustez e limites de detecção e quantificação do método. Foi utilizado método estatístico em todas as etapas do processo de validação. Os resultados obtidos mostraram que o método é uma alternativa para quantificação do efavirenz em comprimidos, tornando viável seu uso na rotina industrial e laboratórios analíticos.

Surveillance of adverse effects following vaccination and safety of immunization programs.

The aim of the review was to analyze conceptual and operational aspects of systems for surveillance of adverse events following immunization. Articles available in electronic format were included, published between 1985 and 2009, selected from the PubMed/Medline databases using the key words "adverse events following vaccine surveillance", "post-marketing surveillance", "safety vaccine" and "Phase IV clinical trials". Articles focusing on specific adverse events were excluded. The major aspects underlying the Public Health importance of adverse events following vaccination, the instruments aimed at ensuring vaccine safety, and the purpose, attributes, types, data interpretation issues, limitations, and further challenges in adverse events following immunization were describe, as well as strategies to improve sensitivity. The review was concluded by discussing the challenges to be faced in coming years with respect to ensuring the safety and reliability of vaccination programs.

Nuclear and mitochondrial DNA markers in traceability of retail beef samples / Marcadores de DNA nuclear e mitocondrial para rastreabilidade da carne bovina comercializada

Several characteristics are important in a traceability system of animal products, such as age at slaughter, breed composition, besides information of the productive chain. In general, the certification agent records information about the animals and the system which it came from, although cannot guarantee that the slaughtering, meat processing and distribution are error proof. Besides, there is a differential price, at least at the international market, based on sex and breed composition of the animals. Genetic markers allow identification of characteristics controlled in the beef cattle traceability program, as sex and breed composition, in order to correctly identify and appraise the final product for the consumer. The hypothesis of this study was that the majority beef samples retailed in the local market originate from female with a great participation of zebu breeds. Therefore, the objective of this work was to characterize retail beef samples with DNA markers that identify cattle sex and breed composition. Within 10 beef shops localized in Pirassununga, SP, Brazil, 61 samples were collected, all were genotyped as harboring Bos taurus mitochondrial DNA and 18 were positive for the Y chromosome amplification (male). For the marker sat1711b-Msp I the frequency of the allele A was 0.278 and for the marker Lhr-Hha I the frequency of the allele T was 0.417. The results of sat1711b-Msp I and Lhr-Hha I allelic frequencies are suggestive that the proportion of indicus genome compared with the taurine genome in the market meat is smaller than the observed in the Nellore breed. The procedure described in this study identified sex and subspecies characteristics of beef meat samples, with potential application in meat products certification in special as an auxiliary tool in beef cattle traceability programs.

Várias características são importantes no sistema de rastreabilidade, como o sexo, a idade, a raça e/ou a composição racial dos animais, além de dados da cadeia produtiva. Em geral, a empresa certificadora dispõe das informações do animal que está sendo abatido, porém não tem condições de garantir se houve erro entre abate, desossa, processamento e a distribuição dos produtos. Existe diferenciação no custo e na qualidade dos produtos cárneos, especialmente no mercado internacional, em virtude do sexo e composição racial dos animais. Os marcadores genéticos permitem identificar as características que são controladas num programa de rastreabilidade bovina tais como sexo e composição racial, permitindo identificar e avaliar corretamente para o consumidor, o produto final. A hipótese deste estudo foi que a maioria das amostras de carne bovina vendida no mercado local seria proveniente de fêmeas e com grande participação de raças Zebu. O objetivo deste trabalho foi caracterizar amostras de carne bovina com marcadores de DNA para identificar o sexo e a composição racial. Em dez pontos comerciais da cidade de Pirasssununga, SP, Brasil, foram coletadas 61 amostras e todas foram genotipadas como possuindo DNA mitocondrial Bos taurus e 18 foram positivos para amplificação do cromossomo Y (macho). Para o marcador sat1711b-Msp I a frequência alélica do A foi 0.278 e para o marcador Lhr-Hha I a frequência alélica do T foi 0.417. Os resultados das frequências alélicas do sat1711b-Msp I e Lhr-Hha I apresentaram menor proporção do genoma Bos indicus em relação ao Bos taurus quando comparado ao rebanho Nelore. Com a metodologia descrita neste trabalho foi possível avaliar o sexo e as características de subespécie das amostras de carne bovina, tendo uma importante aplicação para a certificação de produtos cárneos especialmente, em programas de rastreabilidade animal.

Nuclear and mitochondrial DNA markers in traceability of retail beef samples / / Marcadores de DNA nuclear e mitocondrial para rastreabilidade da carne bovina comercializada

Several characteristics are important in a traceability system of animal products, such as age at slaughter, breed composition, besides information of the productive chain. In general, the certification agent records information about the animals and the system which it came from, although cannot guarantee that the slaughtering, meat processing and distribution are error proof. Besides, there is a differential price, at least at the international market, based on sex and breed composition of the animals. Genetic markers allow identification of characteristics controlled in the beef cattle traceability program, as sex and breed composition, in order to correctly identify and appraise the final product for the consumer. The hypothesis of this study was that the majority beef samples retailed in the local market originate from female with a great participation of zebu breeds. Therefore, the objective of this work was to characterize retail beef samples with DNA markers that identify cattle sex and breed composition. Within 10 beef shops localized in Pirassununga, SP, Brazil, 61 samples were collected, all were genotyped as harboring Bos taurus mitochondrial DNA and 18 were positive for the Y chromosome amplification (male). For the marker sat1711b-Msp I the frequency of the allele A was 0.278 and for the marker Lhr-Hha I the frequency of the allele T was 0.417. The results of sat1711b-Msp I and Lhr-Hha I allelic frequencies are suggestive that the proportion of indicus genome compared with the taurine genome in the market meat is smaller than the observed in the Nellore breed. The procedure described in this study identified sex and subspecies characteristics of beef meat samples, with potential application in meat products certification in special as an auxiliary tool in beef cattle traceability programs.(AU)

Várias características são importantes no sistema de rastreabilidade, como o sexo, a idade, a raça e/ou a composição racial dos animais, além de dados da cadeia produtiva. Em geral, a empresa certificadora dispõe das informações do animal que está sendo abatido, porém não tem condições de garantir se houve erro entre abate, desossa, processamento e a distribuição dos produtos. Existe diferenciação no custo e na qualidade dos produtos cárneos, especialmente no mercado internacional, em virtude do sexo e composição racial dos animais. Os marcadores genéticos permitem identificar as características que são controladas num programa de rastreabilidade bovina tais como sexo e composição racial, permitindo identificar e avaliar corretamente para o consumidor, o produto final. A hipótese deste estudo foi que a maioria das amostras de carne bovina vendida no mercado local seria proveniente de fêmeas e com grande participação de raças Zebu. O objetivo deste trabalho foi caracterizar amostras de carne bovina com marcadores de DNA para identificar o sexo e a composição racial. Em dez pontos comerciais da cidade de Pirasssununga, SP, Brasil, foram coletadas 61 amostras e todas foram genotipadas como possuindo DNA mitocondrial Bos taurus e 18 foram positivos para amplificação do cromossomo Y (macho). Para o marcador sat1711b-Msp I a frequência alélica do A foi 0.278 e para o marcador Lhr-Hha I a frequência alélica do T foi 0.417. Os resultados das frequências alélicas do sat1711b-Msp I e Lhr-Hha I apresentaram menor proporção do genoma Bos indicus em relação ao Bos taurus quando comparado ao rebanho Nelore. Com a metodologia descrita neste trabalho foi possível avaliar o sexo e as características de subespécie das amostras de carne bovina, tendo uma importante aplicação para a certificação de produtos cárneos especialmente, em programas de rastreabilidade animal.(AU)

Surveillance for adverse events after DTwP/Hib vaccination in Brazil: sensitivity and factors associated with reporting.

We estimated the sensitivity, i.e., the proportion of all cases of adverse events following immunization (AEFIs) reported to the Brazilian passive surveillance for adverse events following immunization (PSAEFI) with the diphtheria-tetanus-whole-cell pertussis-Haemophilus influenzae type b (DTwP/Hib) vaccine, as well as investigating factors associated with AEFIs reporting. During 2003-2004, 8303 AEFIs associated with DTwP-Hib were reported; hypotonic-hyporesponsive episodes (HHEs), fever and convulsions being the most common. Cure without sequel was achieved in 98.4% of the cases. The mean sensitivity of the PSAEFI was 22.3% and 31.6%, respectively, for HHE and convulsions, varying widely among states. Reporting rates correlated positively with the Human Development Index and coverage of adequate prenatal care, correlating negatively with infant mortality rates. Quality of life indicators and the degree of organization of health services are associated with greater PSAEFI sensitivity. In addition to consistently describing the principal AEFIs, PSAEFI showed the DTwP/Hib vaccine to be safe and allayed public fears related to its use.

Vigilancia de efectos adversos provocados por medicamentos y técnicas de medicina natural en la población pediátrica / Surveillance of adverse effects caused by drugs and natural medicine techniques in the pediatric population

Los niños deben ser tratados con fármacos que hayan sido apropiadamente evaluados para su uso, aun así, la prescripción de medicamentos puede provocar efectos adversos. Con el objetivo de caracterizar las reacciones adversas por medicamentos y técnicas de medicina natural en menores de 15 años de edad, se analizaron las notificaciones recibidas y procesadas por la Unidad Coordinadora Nacional de Farmacovigilancia en el 2004. Hubo 932 reportes, en recién nacidos solo 11 notificaciones (1,2 por ciento). La mayor cantidad lo aportó la atención primaria de salud (79,8 por ciento), y los médicos con 74,2 por ciento Fue el grupo J (antibióticos sistémicos) el más reportado (65,2 por ciento); la piel el órgano más afectado; predominaron según la clasificación de Rawlins y Thompson las tipo B con 80,2 por ciento; probables el 82,8 por ciento; moderadas y leves el 97,2 por ciento; graves 2,6 por ciento; mortales 0,2 por ciento y raras el 24,7 por ciento. Seguir las reacciones adversas a medicamentos en los niños permite detectar riesgos evitables en esta población(AU)

Children should be treated with drugs that have been appropriately evaluated for their use, even though, the prescription of drugs may cause adverse effects. In order to characterize the adverse reactions by drugs and natural medicine techniques in children under 15, the notifications received and processed by the National Coordinating Pharmacovigilance Unit in 2004, were analyzed. There were 932 reports, and only 11 notifications in newborn infants (1.2 percent). The greatest number came from the primary health care level (79.8 %), and from physicians (74.2percent ). The group J (systemic antibiotics) was the most reported (65.2 percent); the skin was the most affected body system. According to Rawlins and Thompson's classification it was observed a predominance of type B reactions with 80.2percent ; probable, 82.8percent ; moderate and mild, 97.2 percent; severe, 2.6 percent; mortal, 0.2 percent; and rare, 24.7 percent. Following the adverse reactions in children allow to detect preventable risks in this population(AU)

Resultado de la Farmacovigilancia de vacunas producidas por el Instituto Finlay / Results of the Pharmacovigilance of vaccines produced by Finlay Institute

Las vacunas presentan una probabilidad inmediata de reacciones adversas y se administran a niños sanos dentro del Programa de Inmunización, por ello constituyen un caso especial dentro de la vigilancia farmacológica. La farmacovigilancia es decisiva herramienta de la industria de medicamento para completar la evaluación de riesgos en la fase IV del desarrollo de estos productos a la vez que se garantiza el éxito y seguridad en su utilización dentro de los servicios de salud. La información sobre eventos adversos a vacunas retroalimentan a los centros productores y profesionales sanitarios periódicamente, como parte del sistema de farmacovigilancia cubano. En este artículo se exponen los resultados de la farmacovigilancia de vacunas humanas, en labor conjunta del Centro para el Desarrollo de la Farmacoepidemiología y el Instituto Finlay. Se realizó un estudio de las sospechas de reacciones adversas a vacunas incorporadas a la base de datos nacional de farmacovigilancia hasta el primer semestre del 2006, su frecuencia por dosis administradas de vacunas, y la minería de datos para detectar "señales" entre los eventos reportados hasta el año anterior. Se describen los casos clasificados como severos, las señales detectadas y causalidad. El examen de los eventos mostró la correspondencia de estos con la naturaleza de cada vacuna y de sus componentes. Las señales detectadas en la serie del 2000-2005 fueron validadas por su presencia en los datos del primer semestre 2006. En más de un millón cuatrocientos mil dosis administradas en ese tiempo, hubo un solo caso grave que acumuló 4 eventos adversos de la mayor severidad sin un desenlace fatal. Estos resultados demuestran la seguridad de las vacunas producidas por el Instituto Finlay avalado por los resultados de la vigilancia poscomercialización(AU)

Aplicación de la minería de datos al Sistema Cubano de Farmacovigilancia / Application of data mining to the Cuban Pharmacovigilance System

En el año 1999, se crea la Unidad Nacional Coordinadora de Farmacovigilancia, la cual funciona como el órgano técnico-científico que desarrolla la política de vigilancia de seguridad de medicamentos del Ministerio de Salud Pública e integra las actividades de los centros provinciales y de otros programas concertados de farmacovigilancia en un sistema único. Entre sus funciones más relevantes se encuentran la de definir, diseñar y desarrollar los sistemas de información; administrar la base de datos nacional; depurar y validar la información contenida en ella; y realizar y coordinar estudios científicos sobre la seguridad de los medicamentos; así como elaborar informes para las autoridades sanitarias y el Sistema Nacional de Salud. En este sistema existe la necesidad de utilizar herramientas de análisis, por lo que se trazó el objetivo de definir, diseñar y desarrollar los sistemas de tratamiento de la información y administrar la base de datos nacional "VigiBaseCuba". Aplicando una serie de transformaciones, validaciones y la adecuación de la metodología CRISP-DM para la elaboración de proyectos de minería de datos, se conformó la base de datos nacional, en un sistema de gestión de bases de datos relacional con los registros de las notificaciones de sospechas de reacciones adversas a los medicamentos y un proceso de descubrimiento de conocimiento que permite gestionar eficazmente la seguridad de los medicamentos, así como desarrollar aplicaciones para la visualización de las señales de reacciones adversas y su evolución(AU)

Vigilancia de efectos adversos provocados por medicamentos y técnicas de medicina natural en la población pediátrica / Surveillance of adverse effects caused by drugs and natural medicine techniques in the pediatric population

Los niños deben ser tratados con fármacos que hayan sido apropiadamente evaluados para su uso, aun así, la prescripción de medicamentos puede provocar efectos adversos. Con el objetivo de caracterizar las reacciones adversas por medicamentos y técnicas de medicina natural en menores de 15 años de edad, se analizaron las notificaciones recibidas y procesadas por la Unidad Coordinadora Nacional de Farmacovigilancia en el 2004. Hubo 932 reportes, en recién nacidos solo 11 notificaciones (1,2 por ciento). La mayor cantidad lo aportó la atención primaria de salud (79,8 por ciento), y los médicos con 74,2 por ciento Fue el grupo J (antibióticos sistémicos) el más reportado (65,2 por ciento); la piel el órgano más afectado; predominaron según la clasificación de Rawlins y Thompson las tipo B con 80,2 por ciento; probables el 82,8 por ciento; moderadas y leves el 97,2 por ciento; graves 2,6 por ciento; mortales 0,2 por ciento y raras el 24,7 por ciento. Seguir las reacciones adversas a medicamentos en los niños permite detectar riesgos evitables en esta población.

Children should be treated with drugs that have been appropriately evaluated for their use, even though, the prescription of drugs may cause adverse effects. In order to characterize the adverse reactions by drugs and natural medicine techniques in children under 15, the notifications received and processed by the National Coordinating Pharmacovigilance Unit in 2004, were analyzed. There were 932 reports, and only 11 notifications in newborn infants (1.2 percent). The greatest number came from the primary health care level (79.8), and from physicians (74.2percent ). The group J (systemic antibiotics) was the most reported (65.2 percent); the skin was the most affected body system. According to Rawlins and Thompson's classification it was observed a predominance of type B reactions with 80.2percent ; probable, 82.8percent ; moderate and mild, 97.2 percent; severe, 2.6 percent; mortal, 0.2 percent; and rare, 24.7 percent. Following the adverse reactions in children allow to detect preventable risks in this population.

Resultado de la Farmacovigilancia de vacunas producidas por el Instituto Finlay / Results of the Pharmacovigilance of vaccines produced by Finlay Institute

Las vacunas presentan una probabilidad inmediata de reacciones adversas y se administran a niños sanos dentro del Programa de Inmunización, por ello constituyen un caso especial dentro de la vigilancia farmacológica. La farmacovigilancia es decisiva herramienta de la industria de medicamento para completar la evaluación de riesgos en la fase IV del desarrollo de estos productos a la vez que se garantiza el éxito y seguridad en su utilización dentro de los servicios de salud. La información sobre eventos adversos a vacunas retroalimentan a los centros productores y profesionales sanitarios periódicamente, como parte del sistema de farmacovigilancia cubano. En este artículo se exponen los resultados de la farmacovigilancia de vacunas humanas, en labor conjunta del Centro para el Desarrollo de la Farmacoepidemiología y el Instituto Finlay. Se realizó un estudio de las sospechas de reacciones adversas a vacunas incorporadas a la base de datos nacional de farmacovigilancia hasta el primer semestre del 2006, su frecuencia por dosis administradas de vacunas, y la minería de datos para detectar "señales" entre los eventos reportados hasta el año anterior. Se describen los casos clasificados como severos, las señales detectadas y causalidad. El examen de los eventos mostró la correspondencia de estos con la naturaleza de cada vacuna y de sus componentes. Las señales detectadas en la serie del 2000-2005 fueron validadas por su presencia en los datos del primer semestre 2006. En más de un millón cuatrocientos mil dosis administradas en ese tiempo, hubo un solo caso grave que acumuló 4 eventos adversos de la mayor severidad sin un desenlace fatal. Estos resultados demuestran la seguridad de las vacunas producidas por el Instituto Finlay avalado por los resultados de la vigilancia poscomercialización.

Aplicación de la minería de datos al Sistema Cubano de Farmacovigilancia / Application of data mining to the Cuban Pharmacovigilance System

En el año 1999, se crea la Unidad Nacional Coordinadora de Farmacovigilancia, la cual funciona como el órgano técnico-científico que desarrolla la política de vigilancia de seguridad de medicamentos del Ministerio de Salud Pública e integra las actividades de los centros provinciales y de otros programas concertados de farmacovigilancia en un sistema único. Entre sus funciones más relevantes se encuentran la de definir, diseñar y desarrollar los sistemas de información; administrar la base de datos nacional; depurar y validar la información contenida en ella; y realizar y coordinar estudios científicos sobre la seguridad de los medicamentos; así como elaborar informes para las autoridades sanitarias y el Sistema Nacional de Salud. En este sistema existe la necesidad de utilizar herramientas de análisis, por lo que se trazó el objetivo de definir, diseñar y desarrollar los sistemas de tratamiento de la información y administrar la base de datos nacional "VigiBaseCuba". Aplicando una serie de transformaciones, validaciones y la adecuación de la metodología CRISP-DM para la elaboración de proyectos de minería de datos, se conformó la base de datos nacional, en un sistema de gestión de bases de datos relacional con los registros de las notificaciones de sospechas de reacciones adversas a los medicamentos y un proceso de descubrimiento de conocimiento que permite gestionar eficazmente la seguridad de los medicamentos, así como desarrollar aplicaciones para la visualización de las señales de reacciones adversas y su evolución.

Design of a methodology for assessing an electrocardiographic telemonitoring system.

Recent studies in Bioengineering show a great interest in telemedicine projects, it is motivated mainly for the fast communication technologies reached during the last decade. Since then many telemedicine projects in different areas have been pursued, among them the electrocardiographic monitoring, as well as methodological reports for the evaluation of these projects. In this work a methodology to evaluate an electrocardiographic telemonitoring system is presented. A procedure to verify the operation of Data Acquisition Module (DAM) of an electrocardiographic telemonitoring system is given, taking as reference defined standards, and procedures for the measurement of the Quality of Service (QoS) parameters required by the system in a Local Area Network (LAN). Finally a graphical model and protocols of evaluation are proposed.