Cisapride and patient information leaflets
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* Robert G. Peterson

Health care professionals and consumers must have access to high-quality, easy-to-use drug information. However, some of the information provided by Canadian pharmacies is not derived from Canadian sources. In addition, the Therapeutic Products Programme (TPP) has no legislative or regulatory means of controlling the dissemination of this information: it falls under provincial jurisdiction, which means that it is a matter to be considered by the Colleges of Pharmacy.

Even though the TPP does not currently have the authority to prevent the distribution of such information, it does have risk communication strategies to provide current safety information. For example, the July 1996 and January 2000 editions of the *Adverse Drug Reaction Newsletter* provided safety information on cisapride.1,2 

The only TPP-approved information on drugs in Canada is provided in the product monograph. The TPP is revising the format and content requirements for product monographs; one component of the new monographs will be specific, Canadian patient information that could be provided when a product is prescribed or dispensed. On the basis of public consultations on the product monograph held in September 2000 ([www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hpb-dgps/therapeut/htmleng/consult_monograph.html](http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hpb-dgps/therapeut/htmleng/consult_monograph.html)), we are planning to electronically post product monographs in both official languages. 

Health Canada recognizes the importance of communicating risk information concerning therapeutic products to health care professionals and consumers alike. I therefore urge *CMAJ* readers to consult our Web site to familiarize themselves with the progress on our initiative to improve the format and content of product monographs and to make their contents available to the Canadian public.

## References

1.  1. Cisapride: arrhythmia awareness. Can Adverse Drug Reaction Newsl 1996;6(3):1-2. [Also in *CMAJ* 1996;155(1):69-70.]
    
    

2.  2. Morawiecka I. Cisapride (Prepulsid): interactions with grapefruit and drugs. Can Adverse Drug Reaction Newsl 2000;10(1):1-2. [Also in *CMAJ* 2000;162(1):105-8.]