14:03 14 JAN 2013
(AGI) - New York, Jan. 14 – The pharmaceutical multinational Merck has begun to withdraw from the market the drug Tredaptive, designed to raise levels of 'good' cholesterol in the blood but which a large study has shown not to be effective in preventing heart problems. The company itself reports it in a press release, according to which the medicine is on sale in 40 countries, including those of the EU.
Merck will withdraw the stock still held by wholesalers, while pharmacies will continue to sell the remaining stock.
The company, explains the press release, will advise doctors against prescribing Tredaptive again, but in any case warns patients not to stop taking it before having spoken to the specialist: "The operation - underlines the note - should be completed by March" . In the test, conducted on more than 25,000 people in Europe and China, Tredaptive was no more effective than traditional statins in preventing heart problems, and showed a higher incidence of side effects. (AGI) .
Q&A about Tredaptive, Pelzont and Trevaclyn
(11/01/2013 – AIFA)
Safety
