Romanian Pharmacies Can’t Sell Algocalmin Without Prescription As Of April 1

Based on a decision of the Scientific Council of the National Medicine Agency of March 23, 2010, all metamizole-based drugs will be available on prescription only starting April 1, 2011, said Clara Popescu, vice-president of the country's Pharmacists' College.

Drug makers have until end July to require the classification of drugs containing metamizole from overt the counter drugs to prescription-only.

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 medicine 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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