The Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health has released:

• Technology Report Issue 111: Octreotide for Endocrine, Oncologic, and Gastrointestinal Disorders: Systematic Review and Budget Impact Analysis.

• Technology Overview Issue 45: Octreotide for Endocrine, Oncologic, and Gastrointestinal Disorders: Systematic Review and Budget Impact Analysis.

• COMPUS Communiqué Volume 4, Number 6 and Volume 4, Number 7. These issues focus on the Diabetes Management Topic Area.

• Technology Report on Hip Protectors in Long-Term Care: A Clinical and Cost-Effectiveness Review and Primary Economic Evaluation.

The Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health has released Technology Overview Issue 44: Overview of Short-Acting Agents for Procedural Sedation and Analgesia in Canadian Emergency Departments.
 

CDR has also released CDR Update – Issue 47. This Update announces revisions to two documents: the Submission Guidelines for Manufacturers and the Procedure for CDR.
 

• Issue 107: Octaplas Compared with Fresh Frozen Plasma to Reduce the Risk of Transmitting Lipid-Enveloped Viruses: An Economic Analysis and Budget Impact Analysis.
• Issue 108: Polyclonal Intravenous Immunoglobulin in Patients with Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura: Clinical Systematic Review.
• Issue 109: Short-Acting Agents for Procedural Sedation and Analgesia in Canadian Emergency Departments: A Review of Clinical Outcomes and Economic Evaluation.

CADTH has released Compus Communiqué Volume 4, Number 4. Highlights of this edition include the insulin analogues component of the diabetes management topic area.
 

The Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health has released the following reports:

• COMPUS Communiqué Volume 4, Number 3. Highlights include the diabetes management topic area.
   
• Technology Report Issue 106 and Technology Overview Issue 42: Erythropoiesis-Stimulating Agents for Anemia of Chronic Kidney Disease: Systematic Review and Economic Evaluation.
   
• Liquid-based Techniques for Cervical Cancer Screening: Systematic Review and Cost-Effectiveness Analysis.
   
• Reprocessing Single-Use Medical Devices in Canada.

The Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health has released:

• Technology Report Issue 102: Minimally Invasive Arthroplasty in the Management of Hip Arthritic Disease: Systematic Review and Economic Evaluation.
   
• Technology Overview Issue 39: Systematic Review and Economic Evaluation of Minimally Invasive Techniques for Total Hip Replacement.
   
• Issues in Emerging Health Technologies Issue 113: Continuous Erythropoietin Receptor Activator (Mircera®) for Renal Anemia.
   
• Issues in Emerging Health Technologies Issue 114: Milnacipran for Fibromyalgia.

The Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health has released COMPUS Communiqué Volume 4, Number 1. Highlights of this issue include improved access to proton pump inhibitors in Nova Scotia. CADTH has also released:

• Technology Report Issue 100: Real-Time (Synchronous) Telehealth in Primary Care: Systematic Review of Systematic Reviews.
• Technology Report Issue 101: Asynchronous Telehealth: Systematic Review of Analytic Studies and Environmental Scan of Relevant Initiatives.
• Issues in Emerging Health Technologies Issue 112: Rotigotine Transdermal Patches (Neupro®) for the Treatment of Parkinson’s Disease.

The Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health has released the following Technology Reports:

• Issue 98: Subcutaneous Versus Intravenous Immunoglobulin for Primary Immunodeficiencies: Systematic Review and Economic Evaluation.
   
• Issue 99: Telehealth for Acute Stroke Management (Telestroke): Systematic Review of Analytic Studies and Environmental Scan of Relevant Initiatives.

CADTH has also released the following Technology Overviews:

• Issue 36: Overview of Subcutaneous Versus Intravenous Immunoglobulin for Primary Immunodeficiencies: Systematic Review and Economic Analysis.
   
• Issue 37: Telehealth for Acute Stroke Management (Telestroke): Systematic Review and Environmental Scan.

The Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health has released the following Technology Reports:

• Issue 95: Thiazide Diuretics as First-Line Treatment for Hypertension: Meta-Analysis and Economic Evaluation.
• Issue 96: Recombinant Human Growth Hormone for Treatment of Turner Syndrome: Systematic Review and Economic Evaluation.
• Issue 97: Adalimumab, alefacept, efalizumab, etanercept, and infliximab for severe psoriasis vulgaris in adults: budget impact analysis and review of comparative clinical- and cost-effectiveness.

CADTH has also released the following Technology Overviews:

• Issue 34: Overview of Thiazide Diuretics as First-Line Treatment for Hypertension.
• Issue 35: Overview of Recombinant Human Growth Hormone for Treatment of Turner Syndrome: Systematic Review and Economic Evaluation.

Common Drug Review

The House of Commons Standing Committee on Health has released its report entitled Prescription Drugs – Part I The Common Drug Review: An F/P/T Process. The Committee has been examining the status and progress of the CDR as part of a larger study on prescription drugs in Canada. From April to June 2007, the Committee heard from representatives of the Canadian Drug Agency for Drugs and Technologies (CADTH), along with representatives of federal and provincial governments, the pharmaceutical industry, patient advocacy groups, health professionals, researchers and academics.

The report outlines five recommendations, namely:

1. The federal government work with its provincial and territorial CDR counterparts to require an independent, external performance evaluation of the CDR within a year, and at five year intervals, and to make them immediately available to the public.
    
2. The federal government work with its provincial and territorial CDR counterparts to enhance transparency by increasing the level of scientific and price information disclosure through discussions with pharmaceutical manufacturers at the time of submission.
    
3. The federal government work with its provincial and territorial CDR counterparts to increase the current level of public involvement in the CDR through public attendance at open CEDAC meetings and the creation of a public advisory body.
    
4. The federal government work with its provincial and territorial CDR counterparts to create a set of specific appeal criteria which, if met, would lead to a new and distinct appeal process for CEDAC recommendations which will;
   • Require a separate group of expert reviewers;
   • Extend requests for appeal beyond manufacturers to the public; and,
   • Establish a clear timeframe for an appeal decision.
      
5. The federal government work with its provincial and territorial CDR counterparts to urge CADTH to establish a specifically designed approach for the review of drugs for rare disorders and for first-in-class drugs.

CADTH

The Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health has released issue 109 of Issues in Emerging Health Technologies: Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccines: A Canadian Update. Also released is the COMPUS Communiqué Volume 3, Number 15 which covers the Diabetes Management Topic Area.
 

The Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health has released COMPUS Communiqué Volume 3, Number 14. In this issue, CADTH extends an invitation to participate in a web cast on its Rx for Change Interventions Database.
 

The Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health has released COMPUS Communiqué Volume 3, Number 13. This issue features a Notice of Extension on Diabetes Management: Insulin Analogues Reports Consultation. CADTH has also released a new Technology Report titled: Effectiveness of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) screening for women at high risk of breast cancer.
 

CADTH has released the CDR Update - Issue 41. CADTH is calling for feedback and comments from its stakeholders as CADTH finalizes the CDR transparency procedure and documents. Feedback must be provided by October 19, 2007 to cdrfeedback@cadth.caa.

CADTH has released the CDR Update - Issue 40. The update announces:

• Revisions to the CDR Procedures and Submission Guidelines incorporating the changes announced in CDR Update Issue 39;
• Update to targeted CEDAC meeting dates;
• CDR Recommendations issued through the Common Drug Review program from July 1 to September 30, 2007; and
• Employment Opportunities

• CDR will accept submissions for drugs with new indications, as of October 1, 2007;
• Revisions to the CDR Procedures and Submission Guidelines. The new documents are dated July 2007 and are effective October 1, 2007; and
• CDR consultations regarding three proposed changes to the CDR Procedures and Submission Guidelines.

The Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health invites all interested parties to provide feedback on three potential areas for change in the Procedure for Common Drug Review (CDR) and the CDR Submission Guidelines for Manufacturers, by July 31, 2007. Please refer to the CDR website for more information.

The Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health (CADTH) has released supplemental information on Implantable Cardiac Defibrillators for Primary Prevention of Sudden Cardiac Death in High Risk Patients: A Meta-Analysis of Clinical Efficacy, and a Review of Cost-Effectiveness and Psychosocial Issues.

CADTH has also released the CDR Update - Issue 35. The update:

• announces that CADTH has received approval and funding to expand the CDR to include new indications for old drugs;

• provides registration information for the CDR Information Session for Industry on June 8, 2007; and

• announces that Sandy Pagotto has been promoted from Manager of CDR Reviews to Director of CDR.

The Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health (CADTH) has released the following Technology Overview:

• Long-term Clinical and Cost-Effectiveness of Infliximab and Etanercept for Rheumatoid Arthritis

CADTH has also released Technology Reports on:

• Infliximab and Etanercept in Rheumatoid Arthritis: Systematic Review of Long-term Clinical Effectiveness, Safety, and Cost-Effectiveness

• Infliximab and Etanercept in Rheumatoid Arthritis: Timing, Dose Escalation, and Switching

• Short-acting Insulin Analogues for Diabetes Mellitus: Meta-analysis of Clinical Outcomes and Assessment of Cost-effectiveness

The Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health (CADTH) has released the following Technology Overviews:

• Overview of Implantable Cardiac Defibrillators for Primary Prevention of Sudden Cardiac Death in High Risk Patients: Clinical Efficacy, Cost-Effectiveness, and Psychosocial Issues

• Clinical and Cost-effectiveness of Interferon-based Therapies for Chronic Hepatitis C Virus Infection

• Overview of Long-acting B2-agonists (LABA) plus Corticosteroids versus LABA Alone for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

CADTH has also released Technology Reports on:

• Triptans for Acute Migraine: Comparative Clinical Effectiveness and Cost-Effectiveness

• Pulsed Dye Laser Therapy for Port Wine Stains

• Facet Joint Injection as a Diagnostic and Therapeutic Tool for Spinal Pain: A Review of Clinical and Cost Effectiveness

• Effectiveness of Neuraminidase Inhibitors for Prevention of Influenza

• Palivizumab Prophylaxis against Respiratory Syncytial Virus

• Implantable Cardiac Defibrillators for Primary Prevention of Sudden Cardiac Death in High Risk Patients: A Meta-Analysis of Clinical Efficacy, and a Review of Cost-Effectiveness and Psychosocial Issues

• Pegylated Interferon Combined with Ribavirin for Chronic Hepatitis C Virus Infection: An Economic Evaluation

• Long-acting B2-agonists (LABA) plus Corticosteroids versus LABA Alone for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

• Pancreas Transplantation to Restore Glucose Control: Review of Clinical and Economic Evidence

• CADTH has also released the CDR Update - Issue 34, which includes revisions to the CDR Procedures and CDR Submission Guidelines, effective immediately.

• The Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health (CADTH) has released the CDR Update – Issue 33, which provides new guidance for all submissions for oncology products (injectable and oral), effective March 1, 2007.

The Canadian Agency for Drugs & Technologies in Health (CADTH) has released CDR Update - Issue 32 announcing:

• Queuing of Submissions to the Common Drug Review (CDR) - reminding manufacturers that in periods when the number of new submissions and/or resubmissions significantly exceeds the projected volumes, the CDR places the submissions in a tiered queue. The Update indicates the order in which the CDR reviews submissions.

• Advance Notification of Submissions; Pre-submission Meetings - manufacturers are encouraged to notify the CDR Directorate through e-mail of pending submissions in order to help the CDR plan for upcoming submissions. The CDR Directorate is available for one-hour pre-submission meetings with manufacturers to discuss submission requirements and issues specific to the drug. Please see the Update for contact info for requests for meetings.

• Personnel News – Barb Shea will now focus exclusively on COMPUS, Mike Tierney has been promoted to Vice-President of the CDR, Karen Lee has been promoted to Manager of Health Economics at CDR, and Cheryl Fawcett is now Executive Assistant for the CDR Vice-President.
 

• The Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health has released:

• Emerging Health Technologies Issue 94: Intra-Articular Hyaluronic Acid (Viscosupplementation) for Knee Osteoarthritis.
• A technology report on: Sevelamer in Patients with End-stage Renal Disease: A Systematic Review and Economic Evaluation.
• Emerging Drug List: Vildagliptin.

The Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health has released the following reports:

• Teriparatide and Bisphosphonates for Treatment of Osteoporosis in Women: A Clinical and Economic Analysis.
• Bisphosphonates for the Primary and Secondary Prevention of Osteoporotic Fractures in Postmenopausal Women: a Meta-Analysis.
• Bisphosphonates and Teriparatide for the Prevention of Osteoporotic Fractures in Postmenopausal Women.

• CDR: The Canadian Agency for Drugs & Technologies in Health (CADTH) has released CDR Update Issue 31 announcing:

• a revised format for CEDAC recommendations
• updated CEDAC Terms of Reference
• reminders/clarification regarding filing submissions to the Common Drug Review (CDR)

• CCOHTA Emerging Drug Lists: The Canadian Coordinating Office for Health Technology Assessment (CCOHTA) has released Emerging Drug Lists on:

• Vaccines for HIV
• Metastatic Melanoma Vaccines
• Vaccines for Avian Flu
• Vaccine for Herpes Simplex

• CCOHTA is inviting stake holders to provide their input regarding selected evidence grading systems and quality assessment tools to be used by the Canadian Optima Medication and Prescribing Utilization System (COMPUS). A series of tools have been pre-selected at CCOHTA with the assistance of internationally recognized methodological experts, with a view to meeting the unique needs of the COMPUS program. These pre-selected evaluation tools may be viewed and feedback can be submitted online through CCOHTA's website. Comments must be received on or before December 13, 2005.

The opportunity for public comment on the draft document COMPUS Procedures: Evidence-Based Best Practice Recommendations has been extended to December 2, 2005. Comments may be submitted through the CCOHTA website.

The Medication Prescribing and Use Project (MPUP) collection has been updated as of November 28th. A full listing of completed and ongoing investigations can be viewed here.

The Proton Pump Inhibitor interim report is expected in early 2006. The document will be made publicly available for feedback, before being reviewed by clinical experts.
 

• CDR Evaluation Released:

The Evaluation of the First Year of Operation for the Common Drug Review has been released. The full report can be found on the CCOHTA web site with a document outlining CCOHTA’s response to the recommendations contained in the report.

Feedback Requested on Proposed CDR Changes:

Revised versions of the Procedure for Common Drug Review and the CDR Submission Guidelines for Manufacturers targeted for early 2006. Updated documents, titled DRAFT Procedure for Common Drug Review and DRAFT Pharmacoeconomic Submission Requirements for Common Drug Review have been posted on CCOHTA’s web site. CCOHTA is requesting feedback to cdrfeedback@ccohta.ca by November 11, 2004.
 

• CCOHTA Consultation Session: The Canadian Coordinating Office for Health Technology Assessment (CCOHTA) is hosting a consultation session on June 10th, 2005 in Ottawa about the approach to evaluation methodology proposed by its Canadian Optimal Medication Prescribing and Utilization Service (COMPUS) program to assess evidence for best practices. The deadline for registration is June 3, 2005. For more information: www.ccohta.ca
 

Common Drug Review Industry Info Session

CDR presentations which were may by staff of the CDR Directorate at the November 23rd Information Session for Industry are now available under the Outreach link of the CDR section of the CCOHTA website.
 

• CCOHTA Appoints Director of COMPUS Program:  In a news release dated July 19th, 2004 CCOHTA announced the appointment of Barbara Wells as Director of COMPUS, effective July 19, 2004. The Canadian Optimal Medication Prescribing and Utilization Service, or COMPUS, is a program for promoting best practices in drug prescribing and use that was launched at CCOHTA in March 2004. As Director of COMPUS, Ms. Wells will be responsible for the development and delivery of the program. Further details are available on the CCOHTA website.
 

• CCOHTA’s CDR has released updated Submission Status Reports (listed alphabetically by product name) effective July 14, 2004:

• Adderall XR
• Ciprodex
• Fabrazyme
• Forteo
• Gynazole.1
• Neulasta
• Remodulin
• Pegasys RBV
• Replagal
• Teveten Plus
• Viread
• Zavesca

• Axert
• Combigan Ophthalmic Solution
• Evra
• Iressa
• Reyataz

For details on these reports please go to the CCOTHA website and look under the Common Drug Review Section -Submission Status.