Announcement: Public Consultation: Revision of National LASA List - Your Input Needed!

Date: February 21st, 2024

Background:

In 2023, the initiative to create a National LASA (Look-Alike Sound-Alike) list was set into motion. The primary goal of this project was to identify LASA pairs among authorized medications in the Lebanese market, focusing on those with similar names or sound. Specifically, the compiled list featured drugs that exhibited either visual resemblance in terms of how the name of the drug is written (look alike) or phonetic similarity (sound alike). The final comprehensive national LASA list, combining both categories, is attached below. The full details related to each drug may be checked at the price list posted at the MoPH webpage.

A thorough process involving collaboration with Marketing Authorization Holders led to the compilation of a one comprehensive LASA list, attached below. As a final step before publication, we are extending an invitation to our stakeholders for their input during the last revision phase.

National Look Alike/Sound Alike (LASA) List

Invitation to Stakeholders:

In line with our commitment to transparency, safety, and continual improvement, the Quality Assurance of Pharmaceutical Products Program at the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) invites all stakeholders to participate in the revision of the National LASA list. This invitation is extended to Marketing Authorization Holders, Healthcare Professionals (HCPs), including but not limited to pharmacists, physicians, and nurses, as well as any individual or entity involved in pharmacovigilance activities in Lebanon.

Your Participation Matters:

Your active involvement in the public consultation phase is crucial for refining this important list. We welcome your valuable input, comments, and questions to enhance the accuracy and effectiveness of the National LASA list.

How to Participate:

Kindly provide your comments or feedback, by the 22nd of April 2024, through sending an email to either lasa.moph@gmail.com or lasa@moph.gov.lb. When naming your email, adhere to the convention: “LASA List Comments - [Your Company Name],” for example, "LASA List comments-Mersaco." Your cooperation with this naming convention is greatly appreciated.

Remarks:

The Quality Assurance of Pharmaceutical Products Program at the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) expresses gratitude to all stakeholders for their cooperation and dedication to advancing pharmacovigilance in Lebanon. Your engagement in the public consultation is invaluable, and together, we will establish new benchmarks for pharmaceutical safety and efficacy.

Thank you for your commitment to ensuring the highest standards in healthcare and medication safety.
 

1. In the “Agent” column (Column C), apply the filter to choose your company name; this will display only your products in the “Brand name” column (Column D).
2. In the “MoH Drug Name” columns (column J), indicate for each of your products the identified list of drugs that may be written similarly to yours. 
3. In the “MoH Drug Name” columns (column K) indicate for each of your products the identified list of drugs that may be pronounced similarly to yours. 
4. For steps 3 and 4, please write NA If not applicable
5. Fill the “Comment” column (Column L) with any information present that you may find relevant.
6. Please refer to rows number 4, 5, and 6 as examples. These were extracted from the Institute for Safe Medications Practices List.
7. Send us the filled excel sheet at the following email addresses: lasa.moph@gmail.com or lasa@moph.gov.lb
8. Ensure that your file is named as follow: (name of the distributor-lasalist2023),Example: Mersaco-lasalist2023