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Biomedical subjects

Scott Metcalfe

Publications and source records attributed to Scott Metcalfe.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

Going against the flow: the impact of PHARMAC not funding COX-2 inhibitors for chronic arthritis.

COX-2 inhibitors have come under a lot of scrutiny lately, with questions raised regarding class effects and the risk-benefit of these pharmaceuticals. From 1999 to 2003 the New Zealand Pharmaceutical Management Agency (PHARMAC) evaluated the evidence on COX-2 inhibitors, including their efficacy, cost-effectiveness and budgetary impact. In September 2003 PHARMAC decided not to list celecoxib, rofecoxib and meloxicam on the Pharmaceutical Schedule. This decision meant that at least 18 other pharmaceuticals were able to be funded or have access extended, resulting in 437 'statistical lives' saved per year, with net health gains, and savings for District Health Boards. Had PHARMAC funded COX-2 inhibitors at the same time as Australia, it is estimated that this may have resulted in approximately 740 to 4220 excess myocardial infarctions (MIs) and approximately 330 to 1900 excess deaths from MI.

Arthritis↗
PubMed2004

Specific oral contraceptive use and venous thromboembolism resulting in hospital admission.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether there is an increased risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) with anti-androgen oral contraceptives containing cyproterone acetate and ethinyloestradiol. METHODS: Comparison of the frequency of specific oral contraceptive use in patients aged 15 to 55 years discharged from hospital with radiologically confirmed deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and/or pulmonary embolism (PE) with the expected frequency of use derived from national prescription data. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Ratio of observed frequency of specific oral contraceptive use in patients with VTE versus expected frequency of use. RESULTS: The rank order for observed versus expected use was anti-androgen > third-generation, > second-generation, > progestogen-only oral contraceptive agents with ratios of 1.93, 1.36, 0.70, and 0.39, respectively. CONCLUSION: The risk of VTE resulting in hospital admission associated with anti-androgen oral contraceptive use is at least as high as with third generation use.

Adolescent↗