Here are seven news updates for gastroenterologists to know for March 27, 2015.
Olympus issues new reprocessing instructions for duodenoscopes.
In letters dated March 26, Olympus sent updated, validated manual reprocessing instructions for the TJF-Q180V duodenoscopes. The FDA reviewed the new reprocessing instructions and validation data as part of the ongoing review of the scopes 510(k) process. Olympus will also soon release updated user manuals.
FDA releases safety warning on HCV drugs prescribed with antivirals, antiarrhythmic drug.
The FDA released a safety warned focused on the use of hepatitis C treatments, such as Harvnoi or Sovaldi, taken with another direct acting antiviral and the antiarrhythmic drug amiodarone. The use of amiodarone with HCV treatments and another direct acting antiviral can result in symptomatic bradycardia, or serious slowing of the heart.
AGA Diversity Committee to offer expanded track at DDW 2015.
The American Gastroenterological Association Diversity Committee will offer an expanded pathway of sessions during Digestive Disease Week to be held May 16 to May 19 in Washington, D.C. The diversity path is designed to offer minority physician-scientists networking and career development opportunities.
Global Crohn's disease market to grow through 2019.
The global market for Crohn's disease is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 2.84 percent from 2014 to 2019. Key vendors in the market include AbbVie, Astra Zeneca, Biogen Idec, Johnson & Johnson, Takeda Pharmaceutical and UCB.
Shire, Cincinnati Children's partner for rare disease research.
Shire and Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center have created a three-year partnership to focus on developing therapies for rare diseases with unmet need. The research partnership will be focused on rare disease in areas such as gastroenterology, nephrology and neurology.
Study links IBD and cervical cancer.
A new study published in the journal Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology found an association between inflammatory bowel disease in women and increased risk of cervical dysplasia and cancer. The study authors found both ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease patients had an increased risk of cervical cancer diagnosis before IBD, but only Crohn's disease patients had an increased risk of developing cervical cancer after the IBD diagnosis.
FDA to host patient-centered meeting on GI disorders.
The FDA will host a public meeting to solicit patient input on functional GI disorders on May 11. The meeting will feature panel discussions led by patients and patient advocates. The meeting, a part of the FDA's Patient-Focused Drug Development initiative, will be held at the FDA's White Oak Campus in Silver Spring, Md.