CHMP News – April 2016
02.05.2016
CHMP recommends six medicines for authorisation
At its April meeting, the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) gave a positive scientific opinion for Umbipro (chlorhexidine digluconate), an antiseptic gel to prevent umbilical cord infections (omphalitis) in newborn babies, for use in countries outside the European Union (EU).
Umbipro was submitted to the European Medicines Agency (EMA) under a regulatory procedure (Article 58). This procedure allows the Agency to assess the quality, safety and efficacy of medicines meant for markets outside the EU in collaboration with the World Health Organisation (WHO). More information on the Article 58 procedure is available on EMA's website.
In addition, six medicines were recommended for marketing authorisation in the EU, including one new antibacterial.
Zavicefta (ceftazidime/avibactam), a new treatment option against multi-drug resistant bacteria was recommended for approval by the Committee. The medicine is to be used in adult patients with intra-abdominal infection, urinary tract infection, as well as pneumonia acquired in a hospital setting. It is also indicated for the treatment of adults with infections caused by certain Gram-negative bacteria, for which there are only limited treatment options.
The Committee recommended granting a marketing authorisation for Zinbryta (daclizumab) for the treatment of relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis.
Ongentys (opicapone) received a positive opinion from the Committee for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease and motor fluctuations.
The CHMP gave a positive opinion for Odefsey (emtricitabine/rilpivirine/tenofovir alafenamide) for the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection.
Enzepi (pancreas powder) received a positive opinion for the treatment of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency.
EndolucinBeta (lutetium (177 lu) chloride) also received a positive opinion. It is a radiopharmaceutical precursor that has to be combined with another medicine, a carrier medicine, in a process called radiolabelling before administration.
Negative opinion on new medicine
The CHMP adopted a negative opinion for Sialanar (glycopyrronium bromide). Sialanar was intended for the treatment of persistent drooling in children and adolescents with neurological conditions.
Nine recommendations on extensions of therapeutic indications
The Committee recommended adding treatment of follicular lymphoma to the approved indication for Gazyvaro. The CHMP also recommended extensions of indications for Afinitor, Avastin, Ferriprox, HyQvia, Imbruvica, Reyataz, Victoza and Zinforo.
Start of review on the conduct of studies at Semler Research Centre Private Ltd
The CHMP has started a review of medicines for which studies have been conducted at Semler Research Centre Private Ltd in Bangalore, India. This follows inspections by the FDA and the World Health Organization which raised serious concerns over data generated at Semler’s sites.
More information is available on HALMED's website.
Outcome of review of inhaled corticosteroids for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
The Committee completed its review of the known risk of pneumonia (lung infection) in patients who take inhaled corticosteroid medicines to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The review confirmed the known risk of pneumonia with these products, but did not find conclusive evidence of differences in this risk between different products in this class.
More information is available on HALMED's website.
More information on the CHMP's April 2016 meeting can be found here.
