[Prescription of a hematopoietic growth factor, lenograstim, in current practice. Results and commentaries of a national survey from April 1995 to March 1996].
OBJECTIVE
The French drug authorities audited first-time prescription of hematopoietic growth factors using a prescription follow-up survey. Data collected between April 1995 and March 1996 were analyzed then criticized by three clinical experts working in three different areas where lenograstime is most widely used.


METHODS
First-time prescription data and follow-up information were recorded on separate inclusion and follow-up diaries by the prescribing physicians. The delivering pharmacies complete the diaries and addressed them to the INSERM unit 330 for analysis.


RESULTS
There were 7,102 inclusion diaries and 1376 follow-up diaries from 234 different hospital facilities. Lenograstime was most frequently prescribed in patients with lymphoma (19%), breast cancer (16.4%), and lung cancer (13.8%). Prescriptions involved 377 different chemotherapy protocols, including 196 which concerned a single patient. At the first prescription, lenograstime was given as a preventive measure in 61% of the cases and for curative therapy in 25.3%. The planned duration of preventive treatment was longer than the true period of treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
Pr Rossi, hematologist, Pr Misset, cancerologist and Pr Lebeau, pneumologist criticized the findings.
INSERM U 330, Université de Bordeaux.
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Maurice-Tison
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Schuller
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Salamon
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy; D011307:Drug Prescriptions / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005602:France; D016179:Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006753:Hospital Records / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D000078224:Lenograstim; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy; D008223:Lymphoma / Q000628:therapy; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D016179:Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor; D000078224:Lenograstim
Prescription d'un facteur de croissance hématopoïétique, le lénograstime, en pratique courante. Résultats et commentaires, à partir d'une enquête nationale réalisée d'avril 1995 à mars 1996.