Therapeutics Letter

This is a monthly publication targeting identified problematic therapeutic issues (brief, simple, practical messages). The process involves a literature review and development of the message by different working groups of the Therapeutics Initiative. A draft of the Letter is circulated for comment among specialists who are expert in the particular therapeutic area and all members and associates of the Therapeutics Initiative before the Letter is finalized and disseminated.

The Therapeutics Letter is a member of the International Society of Drug Bulletins (ISDB), a world-wide network of independent drug bulletins that aims to promote international exchange of quality information on drugs and therapeutics.

ISSN: 2369-8691 (Online)
ISSN: 2369-8683 (Print)

[123] Biosimilars or Biologics: What’s the difference?

November 11, 2019 Therapeutics Letter 3 Comments

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According to Greek mythology, the Chimera was a fire-breathing hybrid creature composed of parts of more than one animal, usually depicted as a lion with the head of a goat protruding from its back. Recombinant DNA (rDNA) is DNA created in laboratories, combining genetic material from different organisms appropriately called chimeric DNA. The term “biologics” can refer to a wide range of … [Read more...]

[122] Twenty-Five Pearls from 25 years (part 2)

September 2, 2019 Therapeutics Letter Leave a Comment

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In this Letter, the second in a 2-part anniversary series, we present the remaining 12 “clinical pearls” found in Therapeutics Letters published between 2006 and 2018. The Therapeutics Initiative is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, in part by highlighting some key conclusions from the 120 issues of the Therapeutics Letter published so far. 14: The majority of new drugs do NOT represent … [Read more...]

[121] Twenty-Five Pearls from 25 years (part 1)

August 26, 2019 Therapeutics Letter 9 Comments

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The Therapeutics Initiative is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, in part by highlighting key conclusions from the 120 issues of the Therapeutics Letter published so far. In this first of a 2-part series we present 13 “clinical pearls” found in Letters published between 1994 and 2005. 1: Thiazides are clearly the drug of first choice for the treatment of uncomplicated hypertension Drugs … [Read more...]

[120] Routine VTE prophylaxis: Is there a net health benefit?

July 15, 2019 Therapeutics Letter Leave a Comment

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Prophylaxis of venous thromboembolism (VTE) with low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) is now common for hospitalized non-surgical patients in British Columbia and much of North America. This includes patients who are at very low risk for a VTE. VTE events include deep vein thrombosis (DVT), usually in the legs, which can be either symptomatic or asymptomatic, as well as pulmonary embolism … [Read more...]

[119] Epinephrine autoinjectors available in Canada

May 23, 2019 Therapeutics Letter Leave a Comment

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Anaphylaxis is one of the most dramatic health crises. Experiencing or witnessing this acute and serious allergy event is a powerful incentive to learn more, yet many health care professionals must act without the benefit of personal experience. The Canadian Institute for Health Information estimates that anaphylaxis makes up 8% of the approximately 171,000 annual emergency department visits for … [Read more...]

[118] Trends in utilization of proton pump inhibitors in British Columbia

April 15, 2019 Therapeutics Letter 3 Comments

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The first three Therapeutics Letters focused on complaints related to the upper gastrointestinal tract, a common presentation to the primary care physician.1-3 These Letters reviewed evidence about H2-blockers, eradication of Helicobacter pylori, and drugs used for gastroesophageal reflux. However, they also raised concerns about chronic acid suppression by daily dosing of omeprazole, the first … [Read more...]

[117] Gabapentin and pregabalin: Are high doses justified?

February 19, 2019 Therapeutics Letter 1 Comment

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Analgesia once seemed a relatively straightforward aspect of medicine. Recommendations in textbooks and guidelines were definitive, albeit heavily conflicted. Even recent guidelines encourage dose titration, based on an implicit, if unsupported, notion that more is likely to be better.1 Recent experiments and systematic reviews show that drugs seldom outperform placebo significantly in chronic … [Read more...]

[116] New drug for cystic fibrosis: Regulatory approval, clinical uncertainty?

December 27, 2018 Therapeutics Letter 2 Comments

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A new drug for cystic fibrosis (CF) that combines lumacaftor and ivacaftor (Orkambi), was approved by Health Canada (HC) in 2016 to treat people age 12 and older with the most frequent CF genetic mutation: homozygous F508 deletion of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator (CFTR) gene. This affects 50% of the Canadian CF population. In CF, mucus membranes do not release an adequate amount … [Read more...]

[115] Cannabinoids for Chronic Pain

November 22, 2018 Therapeutics Letter 5 Comments

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Canada's parliament legalized the recreational use of herbal cannabis (marijuana) in October 2018. The well-publicized limitations of clinical research and well-recognized side effects such as cannabis intoxication have not deterred people from seeking out and using herbal cannabis for chronic pain in increasing numbers. This is occurring with or without a physician’s authorization.1 In fact, half … [Read more...]

[114] Shingrix: A New Vaccine for Shingles

October 10, 2018 Therapeutics Letter 15 Comments

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Herpes zoster (HZ) or “shingles” occurs when the varicella zoster virus (VZV), lying latent in the sensory ganglia, becomes reactivated. An HZ outbreak typically presents as a vesicular skin eruption most characteristically forming a painful girdle around one side of the thorax. The rash and pain usually resolve over a few weeks. However, about 10% of patients with shingles develop some degree of … [Read more...]

Therapeutics Letter

[123] Biosimilars or Biologics: What’s the difference?

[122] Twenty-Five Pearls from 25 years (part 2)

[121] Twenty-Five Pearls from 25 years (part 1)

[120] Routine VTE prophylaxis: Is there a net health benefit?

[119] Epinephrine autoinjectors available in Canada

[118] Trends in utilization of proton pump inhibitors in British Columbia

[117] Gabapentin and pregabalin: Are high doses justified?

[116] New drug for cystic fibrosis: Regulatory approval, clinical uncertainty?

[115] Cannabinoids for Chronic Pain

[114] Shingrix: A New Vaccine for Shingles

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