The FDA Drug Safety Bill: how safe are our drugs?

The world of drug safety is undergoing major changes in the US, Europe and elsewhere following several major drug withdrawals, billion dollar lawsuits, NGO studies of drug safety and widespread media attention in the US. Some of the events of the past few years are reviewed along with some of the reactions and changes in the FDA and the field of drug safety followed by the author's conclusions and views on the future of drug safety.

Cardiovascular profile of loratadine.

The extremely low reporting rate of cardiovascular adverse events for loratadine, the possible preferential use of loratadine in patients with pre-existing cardiovascular disorders, and the impressive lack of cardiovascular effects at extremely high concentrations in clinical and preclinical studies demonstrate the very safe cardiovascular profile of loratadine.

The Internet and drug safety: what are the implications for pharmacovigilance?

Use of the Internet is becoming widespread throughout the world. Its use in the domain of drug safety and pharmacovigilance is spreading rapidly. Governments and industry have taken the lead in developing extensive web sites.