Extensive advice and guidance on writing patient information leaflets (PILs) is available in Always read the leaflet (602Kb).

Specific guidance has been developed for writing PILs as follows:

• Can you read the leaflet? A guideline on the usability of the patient information leaflet for medicinal products for human use (154Kb)
• Guidance on communication of risk in patient information leaflets (121Kb)
• Glossary of medical terms in lay language (69Kb)
• Signposting from the Patient Information Leaflet to additional sources of information and other services (69Kb)
• Guidance on information in the PIL to address areas of potential misuse or abuse of over-the-counter (OTC) antihistamine sleep aid and laxative medicines (35Kb)

For further links and information: www.mhra.gov.uk/Howweregulate/Medicines/Medicinesregulatorynews/CON049410

London, 11:30 BST, 11th June, 2009: New data presented at the 13th International Congress of Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders show that Requip-Modutab (ropinirole prolonged release tablets) improves nocturnal symptoms experienced by patients with advanced Parkinson’s disease (PD).

The data showed that patients with more significant nocturnal symptoms had a greater improvement with Requip-Modutab, when used as an adjunct to levodopa (L-dopa), versus placebo. These data indicate that once-daily Requip-Modutab remains effective in treating PD symptoms over the night as well as during the day and provides benefit to those in most need. Sleep disturbances, a key element of nocturnal symptoms, are one of the most common non-motor complications of PD and can affect up to 98% of patients

• Read GSK 11 June Requip-Modutab Press Release (not for US distribution)

 

WHAT IS NANOMEDICINE?

Nanomedicine (the application of Nanotechnology in medicine) is an exciting area with a whole range of possible applications in a variety of medical conditions including potential applications in to Parkinson’s which may have a huge beneficial impact. Nano medical applications in neurology include nanocoating of microelectrodes used in brain stimulation, use of nano beads injected to highlight specific brain areas being targeted when an external magnetic stimulus is applied, and the possibility of developing drug delivery systems to specific areas of the brain where medication is needed.

The survey closes on 30 June 2009.

• To take part in the Nanomed Survey please visit http://tinyurl.com/nanomed

 

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About Nanomed Round Table

European Nanomed Group www.nanomedroundtable.org/project is a “Coordination and support action” in the European Commission’s Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) Nanosciences.

The Nanomed Round Table Project has 5 working groups and is a one year EU project that aims to bring together different stakeholders (including patients, communicators, regulators, researchers, industry etc.,) to consider perceptions of nanotechnology in medicine (both positive and negative) with a view to informing government and the European institutions about the development of a communications strategy for different audiences and the strategic direction for future research.

 

The Patient Information Leaflet (PIL) has a key part to play in providing information to patients about their medicine, to promote safe use of the product. It supports the advice given by healthcare professionals. The primary focus of companies should be on ensuring that the PIL provides good information on the use of the product and that this is presented in a format and style that makes the information accessible to users with as wide a range of ages and reading skills as possible.

It is recognised that additional information may be sought by some medicine takers. This guidance sets out additional measures that can be taken to use the PIL as a signpost to sources of further information for patients.

• Download Signposting from the patient information leaflet to additional sources of information and other services (69Kb) .

The drug sNN0031 contains the naturally occurring protein PDGF-BB (platelet-derived growth factor BB), which has been shown to cause long lasting behavioral recovery in animal studies. The first-in-human study is intended to investigate the safety and tolerability of intracerebroventricular administration of sNN0031 to patients with Parkinson's disease using an implanted catheter and pump.

• Read full NeuroNova press release.

The European Patients' Forum (EPF) and its members have endorsed a statement on Patients’ perspective on the use of animals in biomedical research.

EPF believes that today properly regulated animal testing continues to be essential in many aspects of medical research and a vital and legally required stage in the development of treatments for patients.

Therefore, EPF supports animal based research for medicinal purposes undertaken in accordance with best practice in properly regulated research centres and where there is no alternative. EPF also support increased investment in seeking alternatives.

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EPF is the umbrella organisation of pan-European patient organisations active in the field of European public health and health advocacy.

EPF was founded in 2003 to become the collective patients’ voice at EU level, manifesting the solidarity, power and unity of the EU patients’ movement. EPF currently represent 37 patients organisations – which are chronic disease specific patient organisations operating at EU level and national coalitions of patients organisations.

• Download EPF statement on Patients’ perspective on the use of animals in biomedical research.

Now in its third year, Solvay’s International Forum on Advanced Parkinson’s Disease is continuing to grow in both size and stature. For the 2008 Forum, which took place in April in Seville, Spain, more than 200 delegates from 24 countries attended from as far afield as the US, Russia and Australia – approximately double the number that attended the first Forum in Portugal two years ago.

The topics this year again covered the latest research into the pathology and development of Parkinson’s disease (PD), and discussed the different treatment strategies available for those who have suffered with this condition for many years.

European Neurological Review - Volume 3, Issue 2 - contains articles from leading thought leaders including articles on:

• Innovating in Parkinson’s Disease
  Michelle Grayson - Touch Briefings, London, UK
• Challenges in the Long-term Evolution of Parkinson’s Disease
  José A Obeso - University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
• The Involved Patient
  Mary G Baker - Woking, Surrey, UK
• The Economic Burden of Parkinson’s Disease
  Richard Dodel, Jens-Peter Reese, Monika Balzer and Wolfgang H Oertel - Philipps-University Marburg, Germany
• Illustrations of Physiotherapy Interventions in Parkinson’s Disease
  Mariella Graziano - Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
• Quality of Life and Influence of Ageing with Deep Brain Stimulation
  Patricia Limousin - Institute of Neurology, University College London, UK
• Quality of Life in Advanced Parkinson’s Disease Patients Treated with Levodopa Infusion Therapy
  Johan Samanta - University of Arizona College of Medicine, Phoenix, AZ
• Continuous Duodenal Levodopa Infusion – The Barcelona Experience
  Francesc Valldeoriola - Institut de Neurociències, Hospital Clínic, Universitat de Barcelona, Spain
• The Therapeutic Place of Duodopa – Choosing the Right Therapy for Individual Patients
  Jens Volkmann - Neurology Clinic, Christian Albrechts University, Kiel, Germany

• Download European Neurological Review Supplement - Volume 3, Issue 2

The next generation in devices to join the Medtronic Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) therapy portfolio - Activa® RC and Activa® PC – include new programming tools that allow patients to choose among different therapy levels to suit their different activities.

Activa® DBS therapy devices deliver a mild electrical stimulation to targeted areas in the brain responsible for controlling movement. Activa® RC provides the first and only rechargeable device in the world, freeing patients from undergoing battery replacement surgery for nearly a decade, in some cases up to five times longer than previous devices.

Patients will also benefit from greater comfort as the new devices are up to 50 percent smaller in size than previous devices. These latest devices give patients more control over disabling motor symptoms, such as stiffness, slowness of movement and shaking.

• Read Medtronic DBS Press Release