Limitations and obstacles of the spontaneous adverse drugs reactions reporting: Two "challenging" case reports.

Introduction: Nowadays, based on several epidemiological data, iatrogenic disease is an emerging public health problem, especially in industrialized countries. Adverse drugs reactions (ADRs) are extremely common and, therefore, clinically, socially, and economically worthy of attention. Spontaneous reporting system for suspected ADRs represents the cornerstone of the pharmacovigilance, because it allows rapid detection of potential alarm signals related to drugs use.

Darbepoetin alfa administered every three weeks (Q3W) in anemic cancer patients receiving chemotherapy (CT).

Background: Darbepoetin alfa, has a longer halflife than epoetin alfa (rHuEPO) due to its increased sialylated carbohydrate content and can be administered less frequently. Its advantage in terms of response is not entirely clear.

Patients And Methods: From August 2005 until October 2006, 64 anemic patients (hemoglobin < or =11.

[Health in indoor settings: old and new risks].

Improved socio-economic and cultural conditions in industrialized countries have brought public health workers to focus greater attention to the comfort conditions of indoor settings, where people spend as much as 90% of their time. This study examines the interaction between man and the indoor environment and highlights conditions that may pose health risks in the workplace and home because of the presence of chemical, physical, and/or biological pollutants. Achieving healthy indoor air quality currently represents a challenge for international health organizations, governments and citizens alike.

[Water supply and public health].

EU legislative framework on water for human consumption has recently been deeply modified. As from 25 December 2003, the Directive 80/778/EEC has been abrogated by the Directive 98/83/EC, transposed into the Italian legislation with the law 31/2001, which establishes as an inspiring principle the observance of laws common to all Member States while leaving them the discretion to introduce secondary parametric values. The directive provides that the parametric values should be respected until water distribution, by making the final user fall into the sphere of responsibility as a responsible of either a public commercial concern or a privately-run concern.