WITHDRAWAL OF FLU MEDS FROM MEXICAN MARKET CAUSES CONTROVERSY

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Prensa Latina - DIRECT FROM CUBA

WITHDRAWAL OF FLU MEDS FROM MEXICAN MARKET CAUSES CONTROVERSY

MEXICO, Nov 17 (PL) The decision of health authorities to withdraw medicines
used against influenza that have components with a high health risk from the
market caused great controversy in Mexico Thursday.

While the Health Department (SSa) is studying the effects of
Phenilpropanolamina (PPA), pharmacists agreed not to withdraw 53 medicines
containing the substance from the market.  According to Yale University (CT,
US)research PPA can cause cerebra-vascular attacks with hemorrhage
(strokes).

The matter has been divisive, since last week when specialists made public a
warning on the dangerous effects of the flu medicine and its withdrawal from
the market.

Industrialists oppose the measure, which represents a potential loss of $200
thousand, and maintain the nation lacks sufficient evidence of the danger to
human health.

According to Humberto Von Groll, President of the National Pharmaceutical
Industry Chamber (Canifarm), "the measure has only brought confusion,
because some sectors thought it was obligatory."

"To deal with that uncertainty, we have agreed not to withdraw medicines
against influenza and one used to eliminate appetite [that also contains
PPA]," Von Groll said.

Facing this reaction, Health Minister Jose Antonio Gonzalez Thursday denied
that his office would proceed with drastic measures against the pharmacies,
without evidence of PPA effects.

Gonzalez made it clear that until the investigations are concluded, buying
and selling of these medicines would be a voluntary decision, although he
recommended continuing to give the public information on their risks.

Canifarm considers publicizing the Yale University research in Mexico a
"negative" decision, since many specialists here have denied the PPA side
effects.

According to the US scientists, some 20 patients with brain hemorrhage had
consumed, within the prior three days, some medicine containing the
"dangerous substance."

Many Mexican specialists counter that PPA is used in many preparations for
its important central nervous system action, where it blocks reception of
some brain transmissions necessary for neurological function. LPL/CCS

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