Anonymisation reports from 2016 to 2017: A preliminary analysis - Volume 27, Issue

The anonymisation report (AR) is a new and  relatively unknown regulatory document,  submitted as part of the redacted package of  a marketing authorisation application under  the EMA Policy 0070. The report documents  the methodology of…

Overcoming confidential information challenges faced by study sponsors today - Volume 32, Issue

As health authorities aim to increase clinical trial transparency and visibility to the public, pharmaceutical manufacturers are facing new pressure points. New regulations require the disclosure of clinical trial application data, many of which cont…

Troublesome words - Volume 26, Issue

Medical writing tends to contain longer, less common, words than English fiction, and they are here termed troublesome words. Troublesome words are an indicator of poor style, and often point to grammatical errors. An easy way to start improving…

Medical Communications and Writing for Patients - Volume 30, Issue

Dear All,

As I write this, at least some of us are likely to still be in some form of lockdown or quarantine. I pray that you and your families are all managing to stay as sane as possible, and I sincerely hope that you all stay safe and healthy.

I…

Harmonising format and style requirements for scientific and medical publications - Volume 27, Issue

Scientific and medical publications are the pulse of the clinical world and play a key role in disseminating data to healthcare providers, scientists, and researchers. However, the process of publishing is hampered by the lack of harmonisation in…

Medical Gems - Volume 25, Issue

Every discipline employs its own secretive words – jargon that allows initiates to communicate with one another in a way that excludes others. The world of medicine is no exception. The idioms used by doctors and surgeons range from the humorous to…

French breast implants, the Medical Device Regulation, and a theoretical case study - Volume 26, Issue

Abstract The 2010-2011 Poly Implant Prothèse scandal triggered a review of the Medical Device Directive. This resulted in a new Medical Device Regulation that was approved this year. It contains many changes, and many questions will arise when…

Journal Watch - Volume 22, Issue

The journal impact factor, approximately the average number of times that primary research papers published in 2 consecutive years are cited in the following year, is the most widely used method of assessing the quality of a journal. However, this…

Good Writing Practice - Volume 30, Issue

Introduction In this regular feature, the misagreement in tense is extended from present and present perfect tense (discussed in the previous edition of MEW) to an analysis of the frequently used present participle (of the participial phrase) and…

Incoming President's Message - Volume 34, Issue

Embracing change and building connection: Reflections from Riga  Medical Writing. 2025;34(2):6–7. https://doi.org/10.56012/xsqx3837