Drug for Parkinson’s disease withdrawn by MoH

ABU DHABI — The Ministry of Health (MoH) has decided to recall ‘Permax’ (Lilly Pergolide), a drug used for the treatment of (tremors and slowness of movement) of Parkinson’s disease and migraine headaches, after reports associated the medicine with heart problems.

By Nada S. Mussallam

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Published: Tue 17 Apr 2007, 8:57 AM

Last updated: Sun 5 Apr 2015, 1:42 AM

Permax is a drug from a class of medications called ergot-derived dopamine receptor agonists.

The decision was taken in the wake of a recall decision taken by the principal US company, Pharma Trade, due to increase in risk of damage to heart valve, clarified Humaid Al Shamsi, Under-Secretary of Pharmacy Supply at the MoH.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced that manufacturers of pergolide drug products will voluntarily remove these drugs from the market because of risk of serious damage to patients’ heart valves.

“Doctors and pharmacists have to stop dealing in the mentioned drug immediately. The quantities available in pharmacies and medical stores will be collected,” said the MoH official adding that the orders to the effect would come into force immediately .

The Abu Dhabi Health Authority had recalled all pharmaceutical products that contain ‘pergolide’ from the capital’s markets for the same reason.


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