Comments for consumers

This page/column contains information which may be of interest to consumers. The information is based on articles which appear in Australian Prescriber. As Australian Prescriber is written for health professionals, you should discuss any issues raised by this page/column with your doctor or pharmacist. They will be able to give a more detailed answer to your questions by reading the main article.

Australian Prescriber is unable to comment on individual cases or give second opinions.

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Australian Prescriber Vol. 22 No. 6 1999

Pharmaceutical product discontinuations

If a medicine causes serious adverse effects, it may be withdrawn from sale. This usually results in a lot of publicity. Many drugs, however, including some which people may have been taking for years, can be withdrawn for no obvious reason. The pharmaceutical industry has to make profits. Companies may decide to stop selling a medicine if it is no longer profitable. This can happen when a new product comes onto the market and replaces an older treatment. A medicine may also be withdrawn if the company cannot get the price it wants. Some products have been withdrawn to avoid the costs of defending claims for compensation.