France’s health regulator has opened an inquiry into acne drug Diane-35, which is also used as a contraceptive, after four deaths linked to the drug in the past 25 years, according to Reuters.
The review was started by The European Medicines Agency’s (EMA) Pharmacovigilance Risk Assessment Committee (PRAC) at its meeting February 4-7 2013.
The French medicines regulatory agency (ANSM) requested this Europe-wide review, after stating that they would suspend the permission to advertise Diane-35 and its generics for the treatment of acne in France over the next 3 months, according to Medical News Today.
They came upon this decision after analyzing reports from a 20-year period taken from the French national pharmacovigilance database that showed that some people taking Diane-35 and its generics developed venous thromboembolism – the forming of blood clots in the veins, or arterial thromboembolism – the forming of blood clots in the arteries.
A report from January of this year said that ANSM started an investigation into Diane-35 after four people died. Experts say that the deaths were associated with the drug and caused by thrombosis. Three other deaths possibly connected to the drug, reported by the media, were linked to other health issues, the agency said.
Health regulator ANSM said that Diane-35, produced by German drugmaker Bayer, is authorized in 135 countries and sold in more than 116. Last year about 325,000 women in France used the drug, ANSM said.
Diane-35, also sold as Dianette in some countries, reduces acne for women by regulating hormones, according to several medical websites. The drug is also used off-label as a contraceptive.
Multiple Uses for Acne Drug
For several years, these drugs have been approved at the level of individual EU Member States, and are taken all across Europe. However, each state decides independently and differently on their usage.
They are approved as a form of birth control (contraceptive) in several countries for women with hormone-related issues, such as: acne, alopecia – loss of hair, and hirsutism – excessive growth of hair on the face.
Although France only permits the drug to treat acne, ANSM identified “widespread off-label use as a contraceptive”.
Scientists are aware of the low risk of developing venous thromboembolism with these medications; the drug comes with a written warning cautioning patients and doctors anyway.
EMA explained: “European legislation requires that there is a coordinated European approach when a Member State takes regulatory action in relation to a medicine that is authorized in more than one country.”
Consequently, all existing data on the benefits and risks of these drugs will be assessed by the PRAC so that they can give a recommendation on whether their marketing authorizations should stay as they currently are, be modified, suspended, or repealed.
The PRAC is putting the interest of all patients in the European Union into consideration, and expect that their decision will be made at the May 2013 meeting.
Pending the outcome of the PRAC review, women who are currently taking Diane 35 or one of its generics are advised not to stop the medicine. If a woman has concerns, she can discuss them with her doctor.