Published: 1 June 2023

Publications

MARC’s remarks: March 2023 meeting

Published: 1 June 2023
Prescriber Update 44(2): 37
June 2023

The Medicines Adverse Reactions Committee (MARC) convened on 9 March 2023.

The Committee reviewed the association between pancreatitis and the interleukin-6 (IL-6) inhibitor, tocilizumab. The Committee considered there was evidence to suggest an association between pancreatitis and tocilizumab and that there may be biological plausibility for other IL-6 inhibitors to also cause pancreatitis. The Committee recommended data sheet updates to include the risk of pancreatitis with IL-6 inhibitors. Medsafe has published a monitoring communication to collect more information on the possible risk with other IL inhibitors.

The risk of pre-eclampsia with probiotic supplements used in pregnancy was discussed. The Committee considered the current evidence did not support a plausible causal relationship between probiotic supplementation and an increased risk of pre-eclampsia.

The Committee considered whether vaping increases the risk of thromboembolism, particularly in women taking hormonal therapy (combined oral contraceptives and hormone replacement therapy). The Committee noted that smoking further increases the risk of thromboembolism in women taking hormonal therapy, but the effects of vaping are unknown. The Committee agreed that there is currently no evidence that vaping increases the risk of thromboembolism, but any potential association will become clearer with time. The Committee considered that it is important for healthcare professionals to state the vaping status of the patient when submitting adverse drug reaction reports to the Centre for Adverse Reactions Monitoring (CARM).

See the Medsafe website for the MARC meeting minutes and the reports presented to the MARC.