NGC Update Service: April 30, 2018

NGC Update Service: April 30, 2018

Announcements

Take Notice

The AHRQ National Guideline Clearinghouse (NGC, guideline.gov) Web site will not be available after July 16, 2018because federal funding through AHRQ will no longer be available to support the NGC as of that date. AHRQ is receiving expressions of interest from stakeholders interested in carrying on NGC's work. It is not clear at this time, however, when or if NGC (or something like NGC) will be online again. In addition, AHRQ has not yet determined whether, or to what extent, the Agency would have an ongoing role if a stakeholder were to continue to operate the NGC. We will continue to post summaries of new and updated evidence-based clinical practice guidelines until July 2, 2018. For any questions, please contact Mary.Nix@ahrq.hhs.gov.

Guideline Submission Notice

Funding to support AHRQ's NGC contract ends on July 16, 2018. To allow time for summaries and NEATS assessments to be posted to the NGC Web site by July 2018, guidelines are no longer being accepted for inclusion. Additional information will be posted when AHRQ can announce next steps for NGC. In the meantime, contact Mary.Nix@ahrq.hhs.gov.

U.S. FDA Advisory

April 25, 2018: Lamictal (lamotrigine): Drug Safety Communication - Serious Immune System Reaction: The FDA is warning that the medicine Lamictal (lamotrigine) for seizures and bipolar disorder can cause a rare but very serious reaction that excessively activates the body's infection-fighting immune system. This can cause severe inflammation throughout the body and lead to hospitalization and death, especially if the reaction is not diagnosed and treated quickly. As a result, the FDA is requiring a new warning about this risk be added to the prescribing information in the lamotrigine drug labels.

G-I-N Conference

The Guidelines International Network (G-I-N) 2018 Conference will take place from September 11-14, 2018 in Manchester. The theme is "Why We Do What We Do: The Purpose and Impact of Guidelines." Registration is open. For more information, visit the G-I-N Conference Web site.

Health Awareness Topics: May 2018

• Arthritis Awareness Month (see related guidelines)
• Hepatitis Awareness Month (see related guidelines)
• Melanoma/Skin Cancer Detection and Prevention Month® (see related guidelines)
• Mental Health Month (see related guidelines)
• National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month (see related guidelines)
• National Osteoporosis Month (see related guidelines)
• National Stroke Awareness Month (see related guidelines)
• Preeclampsia Awareness Month (see related guidelines)