Reactions 675 - 1 Nov 1997

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Deaths may be linked with idarubicin Japan’s Ministry of Health and Welfare has ordered that the UK-based pharmaceutical company Pharmacia and Upjohn Ltd send a notice to doctors in Japan, warning them that 30 patients who had been taking the anti-cancer drug idarubicin [‘Idamycin ’] may have died from adverse effects of the agent. The order came after the deaths were reported to the ministry by the Japanese unit of Pharmacia and Upjohn Ltd. The patients who died were part of a cohort of 700 patients who were being monitored by Pharmacia and Upjohn Ltd while receiving treatment with idarubicin. Hiroshi Yamamoto from the ministry’s Pharmaceutical and Medical Bureau said that the ministry is aware of the high death rate with this type of drug, but wants to ensure that doctors and patients are also fully aware of the risks involved from possible adverse effects of idarubicin. According to Hiroshi Yamamoto, the Japanese health authorities will continue to monitor reports from Pharmacia and Upjohn Ltd regarding idarubicin, but it is unlikely that they will ban sales of the drug in the near future. He adds that without any treatment, many of the patients treated with idarubicin would die in a matter of weeks. Japan orders Pharm Co to issue warnings on anti-cancer drug. World Wide Web [online] : [2 pages], 22 Oct 1997. Available from: URL: http:// 800619768 www.newspage.com

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Reactions 1 Nov 1997 No. 675