Fentanyl-ratiopharm Matrixpflaster - referral

Current status

European Commission final decision

Overview

Fentanyl-ratiopharm 25/50/75/100 ug/h Matrixpflaster and associated names, is an opioid analgesic which is indicated in severe chronic pain which can be adequately managed only with opioid analgesics.

Ratiopharm GmbH submitted applications for mutual recognition of Fentanyl-ratiopharm 25/50/75/100 ug/h Matrixpflaster and associated names, transdermal patch on the basis of the marketing authorisation granted by Germany 04 April 2006. The Mutual Recognition Procedure started on 06 July 2006. The Reference Member State was Germany and the Concerned Member States were Austria, France, the Netherlands, Spain and the United Kingdom. These Member States were not able to reach an agreement in respect of the Mutual Recognition of the Marketing Authorisation granted by the Reference Member State. Germany referred the reasons for disagreement to the EMEA on 20 December 2006.

Significant difference has been identified with regard to the proposed indication, posology and contraindications in the product information and the demonstration of bioequivalence and this was considered to be of serious public health concern. This refers to the extension of the indication to non-cancer patients, the choice of conversion tables, whether contraindication for breastfeeding and for interactions with partial agonist opioids should be given inn the product information and the studies needed to demonstrate bioequivalence with the reference medicinal product.

The arbitration procedure started on 24 January 2007 with the adoption of a list of questions. The Rapporteur was Dr Karl Broich and Co-Rapporteur was Dr Eric Abadie. The Marketing Authorisation Holder provided written explanations on 13 April 2007.

During their July 2007 meeting, the CHMP, in the light of the overall data submitted and the scientific discussion within the Committee, was of the opinion that the benefit/risk ratio is favourable for Fentanylratiopharm 25/50/75/100 ug/h Matrixpflaster and associated names, that the objections raised by France should not prevent the granting of a Marketing Authorisation and that the Summary of Product Characteristics, labelling and package leaflet of the Reference Member State should be amended. A positive opinion was adopted by consensus 19 July 2007.

The list of the product names concerned is given in Annex I. The scientific conclusions are provided in Annex II, together with the Summary of Product Characteristics in Annex III.

The final opinion was converted into a Decision by the European Commission on 23 October 2007.

Opinion following an Article 29(4) referral for Fentanyl-ratiopharm 25/50/75/100 μg/h Matrixpflaster and associated names International Non-Proprietary Name (INN): fentanyl: Background information

Adopted Reference Number: EMEA/338591/2007

Key facts

About this medicine

• Approved name:
  Fentanyl-ratiopharm Matrixpflaster
• International non-proprietary name (INN) or common name:
  fentanyl

About this procedure

• Current status:
  European Commission final decision
• Reference number:
  CHMP/338591/07
• Type:
  Article 29(4) referrals

  This type of referral is triggered when there is a disagreement between Member States regarding a marketing authorisation application being evaluated in a mutual-recognition or decentralised procedure, on the grounds of a potential serious risk to public health.

Key dates and outcomes

• CHMP opinion date:
  19/07/2007
• EC decision date:
  23/10/2007

All documents

Fentanyl-ratiopharm Matrixpflaster - Article 29 referral - Annex I, II, III

Adopted

Opinion following an Article 29(4) referral for Fentanyl-ratiopharm 25/50/75/100 μg/h Matrixpflaster and associated names International Non-Proprietary Name (INN): fentanyl: Background information

Adopted Reference Number: EMEA/338591/2007

Description of documents published

Please note that some of the listed documents apply only to certain procedures.

• Overview - lay-language summary of the stage of the procedure
• Notification – a letter from a Member State, the European Commission or the marketing authorisation holder requesting the initiation of the procedure
• Scientific background – further background information from the triggering Member State on the issues leading to the initiation of the procedure (if applicable)
• List of questions – questions agreed by the Committee requesting further information from the marketing authorisation holder(s) / applicant(s) to evaluate the issues identified
• Timetable for the procedure – agreed timeframe to respond to the list of questions, to assess the issues and to adopt a conclusion
• List of medicines concerned by the procedure – medicine(s) / active substance(s) concerned, and marketing authorisation holder(s) / applicant(s)
• List of questions to be addressed by the stakeholders – call for data to be submitted by stakeholders (e.g. healthcare professionals, patient organisations, individual patients) (if applicable)
• Stakeholder submission form – form to be used by stakeholders to submit data (if applicable)
• Scientific conclusions – scientific conclusions of the PRAC and/or CHMP and/or CMDh
• Assessment report – PRAC or CHMP assessment and conclusions on the issues investigated, including divergent positions (if applicable)
• Divergent positions – divergent positions of the CHMP or CMDh members for pharmacovigilance procedures (if applicable)
• Changes to the summary of product characteristics, labelling and package leaflet (amended sections or fully revised version) (if applicable)
• Condition(s) to the marketing authorisation(s) – condition(s) for the safe and effective use of the medicine(s) (if applicable)
• Condition for lifting the suspension – condition to be fulfilled for the suspension of the marketing authorisation(s) to be lifted (if applicable)
• Timetable for implementation of CMDh position – agreed timeframe to submit and finalise the variation(s) implementing the outcome of the procedure (if applicable)

Note that older documents may have different titles.