Re: E-DRUG: Dipyrone in Sweden

[LO@EURONET.NL]

Subject: Re: E-DRUG: Dipyrone in Sweden (2)
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The pivotal person in this re-approval was Bengt Wiholm, 
head of the adverse reactions division of the Swedish 
drug agency (Medical Products Agency) in Uppsala who was 
at the time a member of the IAAAS team ("Boston trial"), 
and has always staunchly defended the point of view and 
the statistical data of this trial. In retrospect - and 
in view of the commercial goals of the IAAAS - one could 
have some doubts whether it was wise decision for a civil 
servant to play such an active role, but that is for others 
to judge. At the time Barbro Westerholm still maintained 
that her own data mirrored the truth. 
        
Bengt Wiholm is therefore probably in the best position to 
defend Hoechst's point of view and explain why the MPA 
approved dipyrone again. 
        
Leo Offerhaus MD PhD 
Koedijklaan 1a 1406 KW Bussum The Netherlands 
Tel 0031-35-6923288 Fax 0031-35-6923290 
E-mail: LO@EURONET.NL, CompuServe 71530,15 
Eur J Clin Pharmacol ONLY: POB 75552, 1070 AN Amsterdam 

Subject: Re: E-DRUG: Dipyrone in Sweden (3)
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I would be fascinated to know the reasons for Sweden 
reapproving dipyrone. It is registered in South Africa and 
widely used in combination with hyoscine butyl bromide. 
Many clinicians feel that the SA Regulatory Authority (MCC) 
would have withdrawn dipyrone if the evidence against it was conclusive. Colleagues who have reviewed the literature also 
feel that there is not enough conclusive evidence against 
dipyrone, and the risk of serious adverse effects is not 
great. 

The use of a NSAID related agent in combination with a 
belladonna alkaloid (theSA product) is not rational, 
particularly where the indication is antispasmodic. However, 
a balanced review of the data for and against its use will 
ultimately decide the fate of dipyrone. 

Can anyone, particularly Sweden comment from this aspect. 

With thanks 
      
Leesette Turner 
Moderator, INDICES
South Africa
Email: hamis@iafrica.com

Note from the moderator:
------------------------

I am copying the above messages and the original to 
Dr. Beje Wiholm of Swedish with a request for feed-
back. Thanks.

Syed Rizwanuddin Ahmad
Email: srahmad@essential.org                       
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