Gilles Plourde

Pharmacoepidemiology and Pharmacovigilance: Synergistic Tools to Better Investigate Drug Safety examines the role of pharmacoepidemiologic studies in drug development and its use as a prevention tool in pharmacovigilance activities. The book introduces the various epidemiologic tools and study designs commonly used for the surveillance of drug-related adverse effects and reviews the strengths and weaknesses of each. Criticisms surrounding pharmacoepidemiologic research and issues that often interfere or complicate the conduct and interpretation of these studies are also explored. Case studies illustrate the passive and active surveillance of adverse drug reactions in clinical situations, covering important pharmacoepidemiologic concepts like health risk management and safety. The book helps pharmaceutical industry groups engaged in drug safety, clinical investigators, medical evaluators and those seeking regulatory approval enhance the safety of the drug development process for all patient populations.

Prostate Cancer: A Case Report discusses the prevention, treatment modalities, and side effects of the medications used to treat prostate cancer. The book presents the most appropriate information, allowing patient empowerment to make informed decisions on their choice of treatments. Through the analysis of a real case report, the book also discusses the main complication associated with prostate cancer—bone metastasis—and provides information on treatment modalities for lung and liver metastasis. Diet, physical activities and the management of stress are also discussed, as is palliative care and the use of palliative sedation when other treatment modalities have failed. Cannabis, the pros and cons of euthanasia, and concerns raised by society are also covered. Esteemed author Dr. Plourde has more than 12 years’ experience working on drug safety, especially for biologic products involved in the treatment of various cancers. For more than 4 years he has suffered from prostate cancer with metastasis to the lungs and bones. During this time he has learned a lot on prostate cancer from the medical literature and from discussions with various specialists. The case report presented in this book represents his own medical history. Prostate Cancer: A Case Report provides the most relevant and up to date information on the various aspects involved in the screening, diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer.