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Health Canada Confirms Flu Drug Now Carries Warning of Possible Side-Effects

Posted on: Tuesday, 27 March 2007, 18:00 CDT

TORONTO (CP) - Health Canada confirmed Tuesday that the maker of the flu drug Tamiflu has updated its labelling to note safety concerns about the drug emanating from Japan.

The department asked for the changes last November after reports came to light of rare but worrisome potential side-effects in adolescents taking the drug.

A number of reports of bizarre or suicidal behaviour in teens who had taken the drug prompted the Japanese government to warn doctors last week not to prescribe the drug to patients aged 10 to 19. Japan is the world's highest user of Tamiflu, which has only seen moderate use in North America.

The statement from Health Canada said there have been no reports of death or psychiatric side-effects among Canadians taking the drug. It said the department will continue to monitor the safety profile of Tamiflu, which a number of countries - including Canada - have stockpiled for use in a possible flu pandemic.

Tamiflu manufacturer Hoffman-La Roche maintains that there is no evidence the events in question were caused by the drug. And Health Canada repeats that point in its release.

"Health Canada is continuing to actively monitor adverse events reported for Tamiflu and will consider the results of the recently announced Japanese review of Tamiflu's safety when available," the release said.

Source: Canadian Press

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