Общероссийская общественная организация инвалидов-больных рассеянным склерозом

Solominka, №4(24), April, 2008 

Starting 2008, 60 thousand Russians suffering from diseases, being the most expensive for treatment, shall receive medicines to keep up their lives at the expense of the federal budget. The situation of medicinal support for seriously ill patients has really improved. However, the words of the authorities are hard to swallow in practice. 

14:41 27.03.2008

Minister of Health and Social Development of Russia Tatiana Golikova deems it inexpedient to fragment the office she is heading into two departments. She made a point of it in her statement when answering journalists’ questions today following a meeting of the government.

She pointed out that, in her opinion, once the two departments merged in the Ministry of Health and Social Development in 2004, the merger ‘was not quite expedient’.

In addition, Tatiana Golikova said that, by that time, the renewed ministry had faced rather wide-ranging objectives. ‘Most likely, implementation of these objectives would have been more effective, if a different decision had been made then in 2004’, she stressed.

However, according to the Minister, the social and healthcare functions at the Ministry are associated today so much that separation of the office will be harmful only. ‘Any fragmentation will prove inefficient in terms of further management of the process. Cutting [the office] in parts means cutting the responsibility for performing the provisions in documents as well as what has already been achieved’, said Golikova. As an example, she addressed the implementation of demographic policy, where the social policy is closely associated with healthcare. ‘In this respect, I believe, the united ministry should be preserved to be effective’, Tatiana Golikova concluded.

http://www.rbc.ru

www.drugs.com

LONDON, March 20, 2008-The European Medicines Agency (EMEA) has concluded that warnings about liver injury should be added to the product information for Tysabri (natalizumab).

Tysabri is used to treat relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS) in patients with high disease activity despite treatment with a beta-interferon or whose disease is severe and evolving rapidly.

Following a review of reports of liver injury in patients treated with Tysabri, the EMEA’s Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) concluded that there is a need to update the product information for Tysabri to warn patients and prescribers that liver injury may occur.

Doctors should monitor the liver function of patients receiving Tysabri. Patients who observe any signs of liver injury, such as yellowing of the skin or the whites of the eyes, or unusual darkening of the urine should see their doctor.

The CHMP has requested that Elan, the marketing authorisation holder for Tysabri, submits a variation to the marketing authorisation to implement these changes.

As with all medicinal products, the EMEA will continue to monitor Tysabri closely to ensure that the benefits of the medicine continue to outweigh its risks.

http://ms.samaradom.ru

6 March 2008

(REGIONAL NEWS) – Today, 6 March, the first meeting of the Public Chamber at the Samara Municipal District Administration took place. This representative meeting had been set up on the initiative of Samara Head Victor Tarkhov. Among those who entered the Chamber were the representatives of public organizations, unions and associations, national and cultural centres. On behalf of the MS society, there will be Alexander Kozlov taking part in the work of the Chamber.

“The Public Chamber consists of most respected people in our town, who represent either big public organizations or areas of production, Victor Tarkhov explained. - No doubt, they are all good experts and high-skilled professionals. This gives me a hope that the work we started will go well. I am sure all the city dwellers will witness its fruit. However, the Public Chamber is not a place to solve conflicts but it is rather a constructive area, where similar situations are dealt with. Well, the municipal authorities and Public Chamber pursue the same goal that is Samara’s well-being, don’t they?”

The issues at the top of the agenda can be the most important ones in the city environment. As the meeting participants said it was important that, on the one hand, the authorities should hear citizens and, on the other, citizens should be aware of what the authorities do. Decisions passed at the Chamber are recommending in nature but they are compulsory for consideration of the Municipal Administration.

The participants elected Public Chamber Chairman. The position was entrusted to Alexei Dyogtev, the principle of school 58, who has a huge public work experience under his belt.

The next meeting of the Chamber will see formation of the permanent commissions: (i) expert and analytical one, (ii) for veteran care, (iii) for work with disabled persons, (iv) for family, children and gender development, (v) for culture, (vi) for national and inter-ethnic development, (vii) for youth development and health promotion, (viii) for advocacy of citizens’ rights, (ix) for ecology, and (x) for charity activities.

Office of information and analytics at the Samara Municipal District Administration.