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what is a rems medication

by Prof. Bailey Lang DVM Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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A Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) is a drug safety program that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration
U.S. Food and Drug Administration
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(FDA) can require for certain medications with serious safety concerns to help ensure the benefits of the medication outweigh its risks.
Dec 17, 2021

How many drugs have REMS programs?

How many drugs have REMS programs? As of 2018, there are 74 medications subject to REMS ...

What products have REMS requirements?

What's in a REMS?

  • Types of REMS Requirements. ...
  • Communicating to Patients. ...
  • Communicating to Health Care Providers, Pharmacists and Health Care Settings. ...
  • Required Activities or Clinical Interventions. ...

What does Rems stand for in pharmacy?

What does REMS stand for. Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategies. What does ETASU stand for. Elements to Assure Safe Use. ... Pharmacy Practice- Prescriptions and Medication Orders. 23 terms. Management Spring 2015 Chapter 4. 52 terms. Chapter 4 Pharmacy Technican. 36 terms. Pharmacology chapter 1.

What does Rems stand for in program in medical category?

A Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) is a drug safety program that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) can require for certain medications with serious safety concerns to help ...

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Which drugs are REMS?

REMS@FDANameREMS ApprovedETASUAlosetron Shared System REMS11/22/2016ETASUAlvimopan Shared System REMS Shared System REMS12/19/2019ETASUAmbrisentan Shared System Shared System REMS03/28/2019ETASUAveed (testosterone undecanoate), injection NDA #02221903/05/2014ETASU56 more rows

What is the purpose of REMS?

REMS include a risk mitigation goal, and are comprised of information communicated to and/or required activities to be undertaken by one or more participants (e.g., health care providers, pharmacists, patients) who prescribe, dispense or take the medication.

What are the requirements for REMS?

Is a REMS Required?The seriousness of any known or potential adverse events that may be related to the drug.The background incidence of adverse events in the population likely to use the drug.The expected benefit of the drug with respect to the disease or condition.More items...•

What is REMS for opioids?

While the opioid crisis continued with nearly 47,000 deaths in 2018, FDA used Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategies (REMS) as tools to mitigate misuse and abuse of opioids. (A REMS is a drug safety program that is intended to mitigate a specific serious risk associated with the use of a drug.)

How does FDA determine that a medication needs a REMS?

FDA can require a REMS for prescription drugs and biologics if the agency determines it is necessary to ensure that the benefits of the medication outweigh the risks.

What is REMS assessment?

REMS assessment surveys are one way to assess the extent to which patients/caregivers or health care providers understand the risks associated with the drug and/or how to use it.

Is REMS mandatory?

While completion of REMS-compliant accredited CE is not mandatory, all healthcare providers are STRONGLY encouraged to successfully complete a REMS compliant CE activity from an accredited provider of CE. Doing so may help to promote safe use of these drugs.

How much does a REMS program cost?

Each line item ranges from a low of $5,000 to $250,000, to a high of $100,000 to $500,000. Development times range from 20 to 120 days, as reported in Pharmaceutical Commerce. For distributors, the minimal for line items is $5,000 to $1,000,000, due to the range of data reporting that can be required.

How many REMS are there?

REMS count Currently, there are 61 REMS. 55 [90%] include "elements to assure safe use' (ETASU). REMS with ETASU typically require clinicians or health care settings to become certified prior to prescribing and to participate in additional REMS activities, such as training, patient counseling, and monitoring.

Do all opioids have REMS?

The FDA has determined that a REMS is necessary for all opioid analgesics intended for outpatient use to ensure that the benefits of these drugs continue to outweigh the risks.

Why does clozapine have a REMS requirement?

The Clozapine REMS ensures appropriate patient monitoring for and management of clozapine-induced severe neutropenia and provides a centralized system for prescribers and pharmacists in managing patient risk, regardless of which clozapine product is being used.

Which medications are non opioid analgesics?

The most common non-opioid analgesics are acetaminophen, aspirin, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

What is a REMS?

REMS include a risk mitigation goal, and are comprised of information communicated to and/or required activities to be undertaken by one or more participants (e.g., health care providers, pharmacists, patients) who prescribe, dispense or take the medication. Together, the goal, communications and/or activities make up the safety strategy.

What are the components of a REM?

Most REMS include a communication component about the specific safety risk or risks that the REMS is intended to mitigate.

What are REMS handouts?

REMS may require the drug manufacturer to develop materials for patients, such as Medication Guides, which are the handouts for patients distributed with many prescription medicines. These handouts contain FDA-approved information in patient-friendly language that can help inform patients about how to use a medication and avoid serious adverse events. Medication Guides are generally provided to the patient at the time the medication is dispensed or administered. All Medication Guides are approved as part of a drug’s labeling, but only a small number of Medication Guides are included as part of REMS.

What is a medication guide?

Medication Guides are generally provided to the patient at the time the medication is dispensed or administered. All Medication Guides are approved as part of a drug’s labeling, but only a small number of Medication Guides are included as part of REMS.

What is the purpose of a patient registry?

The purpose of a patient registry is to follow patients during and in some cases after treatment with the drug.

Do prescribers need to enroll in REMS?

As part of the certification, prescribers may need to enroll in the REMS and agree to carry out certain activities for safe drug use. For example, a prescriber may be required to agree to counsel their patients about the particular risk or agree to enroll and/or monitor patients throughout the treatment course.

Do you have to be certified to prescribe a REMs?

Health care providers who prescribe the drug have specific training/experience or be specially certified. Prescribers may be required to become certified and/or take training prior to prescribing the REMS drug. As part of the certification, prescribers may need to enroll in the REMS and agree to carry out certain activities for safe drug use.

What is the Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategies (REMS) program?

When a medication is FDA-approved, it means that it’s determined to be safe and effective. However, “safe” doesn’t mean there aren’t any risks. Every medication comes with its own side effects. These side effects and risks are usually detailed in the medication’s FDA-approved labeling.

How does REMS work?

If the FDA determines that a REMS program is necessary for a medication, they may require the manufacturer to implement strategies to help manage its risks.

Different strategies used by REMS

REMS programs typically include two components — communication and required activities. Depending on the program, one or both components may be needed to help ensure the medication’s benefits outweigh its risks.

How does REMS affect me?

REMS was developed to help protect against serious risks of certain medications. Because of this, it’s important to follow all necessary requirements and cooperate with your healthcare provider.

What are some examples of REMS?

There are currently 61 implemented REMS programs. Most of them have ETASU, and a few require communication between you and your healthcare provider. Below are some examples of common REMS programs.

The bottom line

REMS is a medication safety program that helps to protect people from serious risks of certain medications. Many medications — including those that treat rare diseases — may not be available without REMS.

Why is it important to know about REMs?

It is important for health care professionals, patients, and all others whom REMS affect to be aware that REMS can provide safe access for patients to certain drugs with serious risks that may otherwise not be approved and available on the market.

Who reviews REMS reports?

FDA reviews the REMS assessment reports, determines if the REMS assessment report is complete, if the REMS is meeting its goals, and if the REMS goals, elements, tools or assessment plan should be modified.

Do you need a REMS for prescription drugs?

FDA can require a REMS for prescription drugs and biologics if the agency determines it is necessary to ensure that the benefits of the medication outweigh the risks. FDA can also require a REMS for generic prescription medications, but there are some different requirements for generic medications. REMS do not apply to over-the-counter (OTC) ...

What is REMS in FDA?

A Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) is a formal plan required by the FDA for certain “riskier” drugs to ensure that the benefits of these drugs outweigh their risks. The Food and Drug Administration Amendments Act of 2007 (FDAAA) created Section 505-1 of the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic (FD&C) Act ( 21 USC 355-1 ), ...

What is a REMS document?

REMS is based on the FDA’s assessment of what is needed to ensure that a product’s benefits outweigh its risks. The REMS for one drug may contain different elements than the REMS for another drug. Based upon its interpretation of applicable statutes, in 2009 FDA released a Draft Guidance for Industry to provide direction on the expected format and content of a proposed REMS. This guidance was further revised in October 2017 based upon public feedback and to support submission of REMS documents in structured product labeling (SPL) format.

What is the FDA's decision on REMS?

The FDA bases their decision about the REMS and its constituent elements on an integrated benefit-risk framework and several key considerations related to the therapeutic area and the drug itself, as well as any potential negative impacts on patients and healthcare providers that the REMS may cause.

Why are REMs important?

For certain drugs that might otherwise not be approvable based upon their benefit-risk profile , the REMS may offer a practical solution for tipping the balance in favor of approvability by instituting additional safeguards to mitigate risk. The FDA bases their decision about the REMS and its constituent elements on an integrated benefit-risk framework and several key considerations related to the therapeutic area and the drug itself, as well as any potential negative impacts on patients and healthcare providers that the REMS may cause.

What are the factors that determine if a REMS is required?

These factors include: The seriousness of any known or potential adverse events that may be related to the drug. The background incidence of adverse events in the population likely to use the drug.

What is risk management?

Risk management is an iterative process involving: Developing and implementing tools to minimize risks while preserving benefits. Evaluating the effectiveness of these tools and reassessing the benefit-risk balance. Making needed adjustments to minimize risk and further improve the benefit-risk balance.

What information is required for REMS?

All REMS must include product and contact information (Administrative Information) and a statement of goals (REMS Goals). A timetable for submission of assessments of the REMS by the applicant (REMS Assessment Timetable) is generally also required. Additional elements may be required based on the FDA’s determination of what is needed ...

What is FDA REMS?

FDA also reviews REMS assessment reports to evaluate compliance with legal and regulatory requirements. The agency takes appropriate regulatory action for noncompliance, which may include warning letters or untitled letters, to address serious safety concerns and mitigate risks to patients.

What happens if you don't comply with REMS?

The agency will take action if issues found during the REMS inspections are not promptly and adequately corrected. Failure to comply with REMS requirements may result in enforcement action such as product seizure, injunction or civil money penalties.

Why do you need a REMS?

If FDA identifies serious safety concerns either before the medication is approved or after the medication is marketed, it can require a REMS to help ensure the benefits of the medication outweigh its risks. When deciding to approve a medication, FDA determines that the medication is both effective and safe.

Why does the FDA have to modify REMS?

FDA makes every effort to make REMS requirements the least burdensome they can possibly be, and FDA has the authority to require the manufacturer to modify the REMS to minimize the burden on the health care delivery system. The goal is to maintain patient access while still preserving safe use of a drug.

What are the roles of the key participants in the Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS)?

The most common role (s) of each of the key participants in the Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) (e.g., patients, health care providers, pharmacists and health care settings that dispense or administer the drug) are further described below. While these roles may be broadly similar across programs, the specific requirements and key risk messages of each REMS are specific to each medication, the nature of its risks, and the likely setting in which the drug will be or is used. The specific requirements for each participant in the REMS are described in detail in the proposed REMS documents and within REMS materials available on the REMS@FDA website, as well as on each product’s REMS website maintained by the manufacturer of the drug.

How to contact FDA about a rems?

FDA values patient feedback. If you have feedback or questions about a specific REMS, you can contact FDA at 1-855-543-3784, [email protected] or use the Contact REMS Form.

What are the requirements for REMS?

Certain REMS may have other requirements for health care providers, such as enrollment in the REMS, completion of training, documentation of counseling of patients, enrollment of patients, monitoring, and/or documentation of compliance with certain safe use conditions.

What information do patients receive about a serious risk associated with a medication?

Patients may receive specific information or counseling about a serious risk associated with the medication, what action they need to take to mitigate a serious risk, and/or what symptoms they need to watch for and/or report to their health care provider.

Who determines if a REMS is necessary?

FDA determines if a REMS is necessary. The agency may seek information from outside experts or other participants (e.g., patients and health care providers), or may seek advice through an FDA advisory committee in making this determination. FDA notifies the drug manufacturer of the requirements of the REMS, and the manufacturer submits ...

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1.Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategies | REMS | FDA

Url:https://www.fda.gov/drugs/drug-safety-and-availability/risk-evaluation-and-mitigation-strategies-rems

8 hours ago  · What is a REMS medication? A REMS is a specific set of guidelines created to prevent possible serious side effects related to the use of certain high-risk medicines. Each …

2.What's in a REMS? | FDA

Url:https://www.fda.gov/drugs/risk-evaluation-and-mitigation-strategies-rems/whats-rems

11 hours ago  · REMS is a drug safety program that the FDA established in 2007 to help ensure that medications are used safely, and risks of serious side effects are minimized. Through the …

3.What is the Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategies …

Url:https://www.goodrx.com/healthcare-access/medication-education/what-is-rems

31 hours ago  · A REMS is a specific set of guidelines created to prevent possible serious side effects related to the use of certain high-risk medicines. Each REMS medication has a …

4.Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about REMS | FDA

Url:https://www.fda.gov/drugs/risk-evaluation-and-mitigation-strategies-rems/frequently-asked-questions-faqs-about-rems

17 hours ago REMS are designed to help reduce the occurrence or severity of a particular serious adverse event. They help support a drug’s safe use as described in the product’s FDA-approved …

5.What is REMS? | Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy

Url:https://www.nuventra.com/resources/blog/risk-evaluation-and-mitigation-strategies/

15 hours ago  · A Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) is a formal plan required by the FDA for certain “riskier” drugs to ensure that the benefits of these drugs outweigh their risks. …

6.REMS Compliance Program | FDA

Url:https://www.fda.gov/drugs/risk-evaluation-and-mitigation-strategies-rems/rems-compliance-program

19 hours ago  · REMS Compliance Program. FDA conducts inspections to evaluate compliance with risk evaluation and mitigation strategies (REMS) requirements to ensure the drug’s health …

7.Roles of Different Participants in REMS | FDA

Url:https://www.fda.gov/drugs/risk-evaluation-and-mitigation-strategies-rems/roles-different-participants-rems

17 hours ago  · REMS are implemented to ensure patient safety and allow patient access to the REMS medication. FDA values patient feedback. If you have feedback or questions about a …

8.Approved Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategies (REMS)

Url:https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/rems/

8 hours ago 62 rows · The Food and Drug Administration Amendments Act of 2007 gave FDA the authority to require a Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) from manufacturers to ensure that …

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