Following the example of the United States, health regulators in China have issued an order to withdraw Novartis' irritable bowel syndrome drug Zelmac from the market.The country's State Food and Drug Administration said it had made the decision because the risks of Zelnorm outweigh the possible benefits for some patients based on analyses from home and abroad. China's move comes in the wake of similar decisions taken in the USA and more recently in Switzerland where sales of the drug have been suspended amid fears of cardiovascular risk.
Zelnorm has been available in China since 2003 and the country's National Centre for Adverse Drug Reaction Monitoring has received 98 reports of adverse reactions, notably diarrhea and nausea. One case of tachycardia was reported, as were two concerning heart palpitations and one case of low blood pressure.
Source: http://www.pharmatimes.com/WorldNews/Articles/11038-china-zelnorm.aspx?src=PTArchive
