HEALTH  ALERT: Withdrawal  of two cancer-linked drugs

The National Directorate of Pharmacy and Drugs of the Ministry of Health (Minsa) called for the withdrawal of Lorcaserin and Relucit containing drugs, that may increase the risk of cancer. The drugs are used for weight reduction.

The decision, was announced on  Saturday, was made after considerations by the United States Drug and Drug Administration (FDA), as well as research carried out since 2012, when the product was approved, through which it was reported that in the patients there were several types of cancer (pancreatic, colorectal and lung).

According to the Minsa, in Panama, there are two products registered with lorcaserin: 10-milligram repellent and 10-milligram Relucit. The health entity also ordered the suspension of ulipristal acetate as a preventive measure, while evaluating the benefit/risk condition of the product.

The original alert came from Spain from the Medicines and Health Products Agency.

The Minsa recommended that the citizens suspend the use of these two products and go to their doctor or pharmacist for any consultation.

In Panama there are two products registered with lorcaserin, Repentil 10mg . and Relucit 10 mg ., the first from Laboratorio Farmacéutica Paraguaya, SA and the second from Gutis Ltda. , products used for weight reduction.

The suspension of ulipristal acetate was also ordered as a preventive measure while evaluating the benefit/risk condition of the product, in Panama, there is only one product that uses the compound, Esmya 5 mg. from Gedeon Richter Laboratories, the product was used for uterine fibroids (benign tumors