Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin current issue

Rituximab and {blacktriangledown}abatacept for rheumatoid arthritis

2008-08-06

Estimates from the UK indicate that around 0.5–1.0% of the population have rheumatoid arthritis.1 Here we assess the place of rituximab (MabThera – Roche Products Ltd) and abatacept (Orencia – Bristol-Myers-Squibb), drugs in two new classes, which are licensed for certain adults with the condition.

What role for {blacktriangledown}tigecycline in infections?

2008-08-06

Tigecycline (pronounced tie-ge-sigh-cleen; Tygacil – Wyeth) is a broad-spectrum antibacterial and the first glycylcycline to be marketed in the UK. It is active against certain resistant bacteria, including meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and bacteria that produce extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL).1, 2 Tigecycline is licensed for intravenous treatment of adults with complicated skin and soft tissue infections, and complicated intra-abdominal infections.1 We review tigecycline and assess its place for these infections.

Correction: surgery for obesity in adults

2008-08-06

Our review on Surgery for obesity in adults (DTB 2008; 46: 41–5) incorrectly suggested that, in relation to advice from the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE), "PCTs are obliged to provide funding to patients who meet the [NICE] criteria for surgery". In fact, the criteria referred to appear in a current NICE clinical guideline (CG) and, as a result, funding of provision is not mandatory. This is different from recommendations that appear in NICE technology appraisal guidance (TAG), which are usually mandatory within 3 months. This error does not affect our article’s Conclusion.