Logo
Teva pulls Parkinson's drug from market
US studies show Pergolide causes heart complications; drug pulled in Israel days after recalled in US by FDA
Teva will pull it's Parkinson's drug, Pergolide, from Israeli markets, three days after recalling it from American stores, after it apparently caused heart valve damage in a number of patients.
Pergolide, and similar drugs, were pulled by manufacturers – among them Teva and Eli Lilly - in the United States this past weekend, per a request of the United States Food and Drug Administration.
The drug treats the symptoms of Parkinson's disease, in particular seizures and limited motor ability.
The FDA request came on the heels of two studies, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, which showed that Parkinson's patients treated with Pergolide had a higher rate of heart valve damage than Parkinson's patients who had not used the drug.
The FDA determined that, because there are alternative drugs to treat the disease that do not cause such potential problems, manufacturing and sales of drugs in the Pergolide family should be stopped immediately.
According to the company, "Teva provided the Israeli Health Ministry with this information, and, in accordance to the ministry's instructions, will inform doctors, patients and caregivers.
"Patients should not stop using the drug without consulting their doctor first," the company emphasized.
The Israeli Health Ministry announced that "it was agreed that Teva would collect the drugs on the market and appraise doctors and pharmacists of the information.
"In addition, public statements will be issued asking patients to refer to their doctors, who will instruct them regarding continued treatment."
Dan Evan contributed to this report
