Medicine that caused several deaths in France sold in Moldova

The medicine Diane-35 (cyproterone acetate), which caused the death of several women in France, is sold in drugstores in Moldova. In a response to an inquiry by Info-Prim Neo, the Agency of Medicines and Medical Devices said the drug Diane-35 was registered and put on sale in Moldova in 2010 and continues to be sold. Diane -35 is an anti-acne medication that is also used as an oral contraceptive. The foreign press reported that the French authorities withdrew it from sale after it caused several deaths. The Agency of Medicines and Medical Devices said no cases of side effects or death caused by this medicine were reported in Moldova and there is no plausible reason for withdrawing it. The women who use Diane-35 or one of the generic medicines with the same active substance are recommended not to interrupt the treatment until the European Medicines Agency’s Pharmacovigilance Risk Assessment Committee finishes the study of the side effects in the European Community. If they have fears, they can see a doctor. The Agency of Medicines and Medical Devices is waiting for a report on the assessment of the risks of Diane-35 and for the decisions taken by the Pharmacovigilance Risk Assessment Committee. According to foreign press reports, Diane-35 is sold in 116 countries. The French authorities informed that over the last 25 years four women died and 125 were affected by blood clots after they took Diane-35. Over 90,000 Diane-35 packs with 21 pills each have been imported into Moldova since 2010 until present. The medicine is available in Moldova’s drugstores for 47.36 lei.