Health officials have allayed fears raised by diabetic patients following the withdrawal of a drug over cancer fears.
Metformin, marketed under the trade name Glucophage among others, is the first-line medication for the treatment of Type 2 Diabetes.
It was pulled off shelves in Bahrain’s pharmacies over reports that it might contain unacceptable levels of carcinogenic impurities.
However, in a joint statement issued today, the National Health Regulatory Authority (NHRA) and the Health Ministry cautioned patients that stopping the medication suddenly and without medical advice could be dangerous.
“All patients are urged not to stop taking it unless advised by your doctor and is provided with an alternative,” said the statement.
“There is no need to panic, as we await the test results on the drug in the next two days. “Patients must consult their doctors if they wish to change the drug and must not do it on their own.”
The NHRA has also given companies manufacturing Metformin tablets 72 hours to prove their safety.
The withdrawal of the drug followed a Saudi Food and Drug Administration (SFDA) announcement that Metformin tablets contained high levels of a cancer-causing ingredient
Nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA). “Suddenly stopping the use of the drug can be dangerous to health, due to a rise in the level of sugar,” added the statement.
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