Headlines from 3rd World Conference IPCRG Oslo June 2006

Smoke-Free Environments
July 2006
Jointly with EFA, response to the European Commission: Informal stakeholder consultation on smoke-free environments. This was led by DG SANCO in the run-up to the adoption of a Commission Green Paper on Smoke-Free Environments.

• Informal consultation document
• IPCRG response

Can primary care lead the way to improved respiratory care?

June 2006

The third primary care world conference on respiratory disease will be held at the Radisson SAS Plaza Hotel in Oslo 8-11 June 2006.

Press Release

Towards Healthy Air in Dwellings in Europe

We are delighted to inform you that EFA, one of our associate members, has just announced that the EFA THADE Towards Healthy Air in Dwellings in Europe project results have now been published in a peer reviewed journal, Allergy.

The full article is available at the members' only section of EFA's website (PDF). An abstract of the article accessible to all is available at Blackwell Synergy

IPCRG submits EU application to improve paediatric asthma management

June 2006
The IPCRG is pleased to announce a recent application to the European Union (EU) which aims to enhance the management of paediatric asthma patients in Europe, improving long-term clinical outcomes and bettering quality of life for children living with this condition. Ultimately, the IPCRG hopes that the project will help identify whether current treatment approaches and guidelines for paediatric asthma management are appropriate. Click here for the press release.

The International Primary Care Respiratory Group welcomes the adoption of the Paediatrics Regulation by the European Parliament

1 June 2006
With the adoption of the Paediatrics Regulation , Members of the European Parliament in Brussels have sought to end the current situation, under which most children across the EU take small doses of medication developed for adults, which may not correspond to their metabolism and can even be harmful. Click here for the press release.

An Assessment of the Community System of Pharmacovigilance

May 2006
On 12 May 2006, the International Primary Care Respiratory Group (IPCRG) and European Federation of Allergy and Airway Diseases Patients’ Associations (EFA) submitted comments to the European Commission’s Public Consultation regarding “An Assessment of the Community System of Pharmacovigilance”. Click here for PDF document.*

IPCRG Theophylline Opinion Sheet

May 2006
Theophylline, usually administered orally, is an effective bronchodilator which may be used in the management of both asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It is widely available, and less expensive than many other bronchodilators. However, theophylline can be a difficult drug to use safely. Click here for PDF document.*

New international guidelines for primary care on managing respiratory problems

February 2006
You will be delighted to learn that the IPCRG Guidelines for the Management of Chronic Respiratory Diseases in Primary Care have just been published in the online version of the Primary Care Respiratory Journal Volume 15, Issue 1 - http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/14714418. They will also be released in hard copy of the Journal in mid-February. Please find below a copy of the media release which we would be delighted if you could pass on to other respiratory interested colleagues.

To see this item in Brazilian Portuguese click here

IPCRG and EFA submit comments to EMEA consultation for medicines used in children

19 January 2006
On 19 January 2006, IPCRG International Primary Care Respiratory Group and EFA European Federation of Allergy and Airway Diseases Patients' Associations submitted comments to the European Medicines Agency (EMEA) draft "Guideline on conduct of pharmacovigilance for medicines used by the paediatric population".