Doctors should restrict their prescription of anti-diabetes medicine rosiglitazone and not start it on new patients following fears that it may increase cardiovascular problem.
The Drug Control Authority said diabetic patients who were put on the drug should also seek their doctors’ advice on whether they should continue with it.
“We will continue to monitor and review any new safety information regarding the product for further regulatory action if necessary,” said its chairman Tan Sri Dr Ismail Merican in a statement here yesterday.
Dr Ismail, who is also the Health director-general, said the Euro pean Medicines Agency had on Thursday the suspension of the drug and two others – Avandamet and Avaglim – which are combinations of rosiglitazone.
He said the agency’s move was made following a review by a committee on medicinal products on data related to increased risk in cardiovascular problems with the use of the drug.
“The United States Food and Drug Administration has also announced that it would restrict its use to patients with Type II diabetes who cannot be controlled with other medications,” said Dr Ismail.
The Drug Control Authority said diabetic patients who were put on the drug should also seek their doctors’ advice on whether they should continue with it.
“We will continue to monitor and review any new safety information regarding the product for further regulatory action if necessary,” said its chairman Tan Sri Dr Ismail Merican in a statement here yesterday.
Dr Ismail, who is also the Health director-general, said the Euro pean Medicines Agency had on Thursday the suspension of the drug and two others – Avandamet and Avaglim – which are combinations of rosiglitazone.
He said the agency’s move was made following a review by a committee on medicinal products on data related to increased risk in cardiovascular problems with the use of the drug.
“The United States Food and Drug Administration has also announced that it would restrict its use to patients with Type II diabetes who cannot be controlled with other medications,” said Dr Ismail.
