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The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
The Hospital Authority (HA) today (September 29) announced that drugs containing Rosiglitazone (including Avandia and Avandamet) would be withdrawn from HA Drug Formulary with immediate effect.
The HA spokesman said the decision was made by an Expert Group of the Authority for reviewing HA's policy of prescribing Rosiglitazone. It was decided that HA shall follow the recommendations of European Medicines Agency's (EMA) Committee on Medicinal Products for Human Use.
"Arrangement for a change of drug therapy will be made at the next follow-up consultation for the 2,000 odd patients currently prescribed with the drugs at HA hospitals and clinics."
Among the 200,000 diabetes mellitus patients seeking consultation at public hospitals and clinics, only a very small proportion of them who have been assessed to be clinically indicated was prescribed with drugs containing Rosiglitazone.
"Patients are recommended to continue taking the drug to ensure the continual control of their blood sugar level until the next consultation."
"During the next follow-up consultation, the attending doctor would assess the clinical condition of the patient and adjust the blood sugar control therapies accordingly," the spokesman added.
Ends/Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Issued at HKT 18:21
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