Registries for neurological drugs landscape

Abstract

In Italy we can mention two experiences related to the use of registries for neurological drugs. The first one involved the use of cholinesterase inhibitors (donepezil, rivastigmine, galantamine) in the treatment of probable Alzheimer's dementia of mild-moderate level; the second, currently in progress, concerned the use of natalizumab for the treatment of multiple sclerosis. The registry of the use of cholinesterase inhibitors in Alzheimer's dementia produced an observational study, whereas the registry on the use of natalizumab in multiple sclerosis, a rare experience in the international, can be regarded as an opportunity not fully appreciated in terms of public health. Natalizumab is prescribed in current clinical practice in patients other than those included in registration studies. In this paper the two Italian experiences will be presented with the understanding that registries cannot make up for the lack of proper registration studies, but can provide, especially when they are conducted and planned as observational studies, new scientific evidence on the risk/benefit profile of the drugs in the real world.