Romanian Pharmacies May Issue Algocalmin Without Prescription Until April 1

As per a 2010 decision by the National Medicine Association (ANM), all drugs containing metamizole shall be available only on prescription as of April 1, 2011.

This decision does not entail modifications to the sale authorization - producers have until the end of July to request this change.

Metamizole may cause agranulocytosis, an acute condition involving a severe and dangerous lowered white blood cell count. People with this condition are at very high risk of serious infections due to their suppressed immune system.

The Council of Europe's resolution on the matter states metamizole is only available on prescription.

Romania has not registered any cases of agranulocytosis and the measure to restrict sales of metamizole to prescription only is a precaution, the agency said.

The measure is to be applied gradually, and metamizole-based drugs (Algoremin, Fabocalm, Metamizol Solacium, Algiotop, Algoblock, Algocalmin, Algozone, Alindor, Metamizol Farmacon, Quarelin, Novocalmin, Sintocalmin and Centralgin) will be available only on prescription as of August.

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