news human medicines
January 20, 2012 - The correct administration of Velcade is via the intravenous route
The company Janssen-Cilag B.V. has sent a letter to doctors and
pharmacists. The purpose of this communication is to remind you
that the correct procedure for administering Velcade (bortezomib) 1
mg and 3.5 mg powder for solution for injection is via the
intravenous route and to recommend some measures to reduce the risk
of incorrect administration.
This was written in a letter – a so-called Direct Healthcare
Professional Communication (DHPC) – from the company Janssen-Cilag
B.V. This letter with important safety information was sent to
oncologists, haematologists, urologists and pharmacists in
consultation with the Medicines Evaluation Board (MEB) and the
Healthcare Inspectorate.
Bortezomib is a cytotoxic agent currently approved via
intravenous injection as a single agent or in combination with oral
melphalan and oral prednisone for the treatment of patients with
multiple myeloma.
The recognition and analysis of adverse events during the entire
life cycle of a medicine is called medicine monitoring or
pharmacovigilance. This is a key task of the MEB. In the event of
urgent and/or important safety issues, medical professionals are
informed by means of a
Direct Healthcare Professional Communication.
More information
DHPC Velcade January 2012
Q&A EMA
Go back Overview »