The Ministerio de Salud (Ministry of Health) said ti will investigate the drug ‘Diane-35’, whose sale has been banned France in response to the deaths of four women over the last 25 years.
The women died of blood clots linked to their use of Diane-35, an acne drug that is also widely prescribed as an oral contraceptive because it halts ovulation. It has been sold in France since 1987.
France’s National Agency for the Safety of Drugs and Health Products said this week that Diane-35, made by Bayer and licensed in 135 countries, would be withdrawn from sale in three months. Meanwhile, doctors are banned from prescribing the medication.
The medication is authorised for sale and use in Costa Rica.
The Directora General de Salud (Director General of Health), Ileana Herrera, told the media that the Ministry of Health has received no reports of adverse reactions to the product.
However, due to the France alert, authorities will have to conduct assessmets and corresponding analysis.
The chief medical scientist for Bayer Pharmaceutical Division Central America and Caribbean, Miguel Fiallo, said the alert is surprising, yet ensures that drug users do not have to worry if ingested as indicated from Bayer.
The drug is often prescribed “off-label” as a contraceptive.
