Patients in Bahrain on the now-banned Type 2 diabetes drugs containing Rosiglitazone are being urged to report to their doctors.

They will need replacement prescriptions and also check-ups to ensure they have not suffered any side-effects, a Health Ministry official warned yesterday.

Drugs such as Avandaryl, Avandamet and Avandia, containing the banned substance are no longer available in Bahrain, so people must seek alternatives from their doctors, said ministry drug control director Sahar Al Qahtani.

'We have several alternatives and we are giving them out. While many people have come forward already, many are still left,' she said.

People are being urged to report to health centres to get replacements and to get a general physical check-up done.

'Those who do not visit health centres should consult their physicians immediately,' said Al Qahtani.

She said doctors would also be addressing patients' concerns about the drugs they have been consuming and explaining the benefits and properties of the alternatives.

The drug was banned all over the world last week after it was revealed it had a negative impact on the patients' hearts.

Fears

European and American drug control bodies had earlier called for the use of the medicine to be limited due to fears that it increased the likelihood of heart attacks and strokes.

'We have already asked the health authorities to conduct an investigation on patients to determine if any of them had any side-effects, but so far no such case has been reported,' said Al Qahtani.

She said investigations will continue.-TradeArabia News Service