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Home > Archives for Drug Assessments

The Drug Assessment Working Group (DAWG) is committed to analyze scientific evidence on the effectiveness and safety of drug therapies used in Canada. They systematically review and, when appropriate, critically appraise research relevant to new and existing drugs. Often the goal is to discover whether a new drug provides a therapeutic advantage over existing similar drug therapy for a clinical condition.

The Therapeutics Initiative has a dedicated team of researchers that is committed to the highest standards of research. In addition to reports on various new and existing drugs, the DAWG also contributes to the federal Common Drug Review (CDR), a national program set up to reduce duplication, and provide equal access to high level evidence and expert advice, thereby contributing to the quality and sustainability of Canadian public drug plans. The DAWG has contributed to many of the CDR reviews.

Below is a list of completed DAWG reports with links to the executive summaries.

Do proton pump inhibitors increase mortality? A systematic review and in‐depth analysis of the evidence

December 8, 2020 Drug Assessments

Pharmacol Res Perspect. 2020; 8:e651. Ben‐Eltriki, M, Green, CJ, Maclure, M, Musini, V, Bassett, KL, Wright, JM Abstract: Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) were primarily approved for short‐term use (2 to 8 weeks). However, PPI use continues to expand. Widely believed to be safe, we reviewed emerging evidence on increased mortality with PPI long‐term use. Our 2016 systematic PPI drug class … [Read more...]

Acetaminophen vs. NSAIDs during COVID-19 pandemic

March 18, 2020 Drug Assessments, News 4 Comments

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TREATING FEVER AND PAIN in the time of COVID-19 Many people are asking doctors for information about whether it is safe to use NSAID drugs now.  Examples of this drug class include ibuprofen (generic, Advil, Motrin), naproxen (generic, Aleve), diclofenac (generic, Voltaren, Arthrotec), celecoxib (Celebrex), meloxicam (Mobicox) and many others. Feeling an increase in your body temperature can … [Read more...]

Herbal cannabis and pharmaceutical cannabinoid treatment following motor vehicle accidents: A state of the science review

December 18, 2019 Drug Assessments Leave a Comment

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This is a state of the science review produced at the request of the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC) to assist in developing funding policy for insurance claims involving the use of herbal cannabis and pharmaceutical cannabinoids for post injury medical management. Section 1 of the report provides an overall framework for funding policy for ICBC and a summary of clinical trial … [Read more...]

Shingrix vaccine for herpes zoster

October 10, 2018 Drug Assessments Leave a Comment

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Drug Assessment Working Group Systematic Review Report Efficacy and safety of adjuvanted herpes zoster subunit vaccine October 2018 Background Herpes zoster (HZ) or “shingles” infection occurs through the reactivation of latent varicella zoster virus (VZV) in the sensory ganglia. The outbreak typically presents as a unilateral vesiculopustular rash along a dermatome, with accompanying … [Read more...]

A systematic review of the comparative effectiveness of proton pump inhibitors for the treatment of adult patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease or peptic ulcer disease

June 1, 2016 Drug Assessments Leave a Comment

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This systematic review was produced by the Drug Assessment Working Group of the Therapeutics Initiative at the request of the Pharmaceutical Services Division (PSD) of the British Columbia Ministry of Health as part of the Drug Effectiveness Review Project (DERP), a class review of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) for the treatment of adult patients with symptomatic GERD or PUD. Research … [Read more...]

Cochrane review: Probiotics for preventing urinary tract infections in adults and children

January 27, 2016 Drug Assessments Leave a Comment

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Check out our new Cochrane review: Probiotics for preventing urinary tract infections in adults and children. Conclusions: "No significant benefit was demonstrated for probiotics compared with placebo or no treatment, but a benefit cannot be ruled out as the data were few, and derived from small studies with poor methodological reporting. There was limited information on harm and mortality with … [Read more...]

A Systematic Review of Intravitreal Bevacizumab for the Treatment of Diabetic Macular Edema

A Systematic Review of Intravitreal Bevacizumab for the Treatment of Diabetic Macular Edema

February 15, 2013 Drug Assessments Leave a Comment

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Journal Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health; 2012 Authors Fortin, P., Mintzes, B., and Innes, M. A Link to article http://www.cadth.ca/en/products/rapid-response/publication/3360 … [Read more...]

Ganciclovir and valganciclovir for the preemptive treatment of CMV in adult patients who have undergone allogeneic stem cell transplantation

Ganciclovir and valganciclovir for the preemptive treatment of CMV in adult patients who have undergone allogeneic stem cell transplantation

June 28, 2010 Drug Assessments 1 Comment

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Introduction Pharmaceutical Services Division requested a systematic review of intravenous ganciclovir and oral valganciclovir for preemptive therapy of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection in allogeneic stem cell transplant patients. Drug Ganciclovir is indicated for treatment of CMV retinitis in immuno-compromised patient and prevention of CMV disease in transplant recipients.  It inhibits viral … [Read more...]

Peginterferon alfa-2a (Pegasys) for the treatment of adult patients with chronic hepatitis B

Peginterferon alfa-2a (Pegasys) for the treatment of adult patients with chronic hepatitis B

April 30, 2010 Drug Assessments Leave a Comment

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Introduction Pharmaceutical Services Division requested an updated systematic review of peginterferon alfa-2a (Pegasys) for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B, previously reviewed by the Therapeutics Initiative in November 2006. Drug Peginterferon alfa-2a injection (Pegasys) is categorized as an anti-viral compound and as a biological response modifier. The recommended dose is 180μg once … [Read more...]

OROS methylphenidate (Concerta) for the treatment of children and adults with ADHD

OROS methylphenidate (Concerta) for the treatment of children and adults with ADHD

April 23, 2010 Drug Assessments 1 Comment

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Introduction Pharmaceutical Services Division (PSD) requested an update to the 2006 Therapeutics Initiative review of Concerta (OROS MPH) for the treatment of children and adults with ADHD. The 2006 report included a systematic review in children and adolescents with ADHD. The recent submission includes additional new information in children and adolescents and also an additional new indication, … [Read more...]

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