Mechanism of action of colchicine in the treatment of gout.

Purpose: The aims of this article were to systematically review the literature about the mechanism of action of colchicine in the multimodal pathology of acute inflammation associated with gout and to consider the clinical utility of colchicine in other chronic inflammatory diseases.

Methods: The English-language literature on PubMed was searched for articles published between 1990 and October 2013, with a cross-reference to citations across all years. Relevant articles pertaining to the mechanism of action of colchicine and the clinical applications of colchicine in gout and other inflammatory conditions were identified and reviewed.

Unapproved drugs in the United States and the Food and Drug Administration.

Despite more than a century of evolving federal legislation, there remain many unapproved drugs on the United States (US) market. This article reviews the history of drug approval in the US, beginning with the landmark Pure Food and Drug Act of 1906, through to the development of the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The Pure Food and Drug Act of 1906 was the first comprehensive federal legislation covering drug regulation.

A new perspective on the pharmacoeconomics of colchicine.

Background: Gout is a common inflammatory arthritis that affects ∼4% of the US population. Most patients with gout are >50 years of age and have multiple comorbidities. Gout is caused by the deposition of monosodium urate crystals in joints secondary to hyperuricemia.