In response to the launch of an FDA consumer campaign on the safe use of over-the-counter (OTC) pain relief products, Australian Medical Association president Bill Glasson has said that popular painkillers containing ibuprofen should be taken off supermarket shelves.
FDA's nationwide campaign focuses on the OTC pain and fever reducers that contain acetaminophen and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which include products such as aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen sodium and ketoprofen.
Dr Glasson said the AMA had raised concerns with the federal government more than a year ago about the availability of drugs containing ibuprofen.
"We think it's a backward step to move drugs from pharmacy shelves and put them onto supermarket shelves when a lot of those drugs do have side-effect profiles that really require the expert advise of a pharmacist," Dr Glasson said.
"We're concerned particularly about this drug (ibuprofen) that can have significant gastro-intestinal side effects as well as renal side effects, particularly when taken with other drugs such as diuretics.
The principal medical adviser to Australia's Therapeutic Goods Administration Dr John McEwen last night defended the decision to allow supermarkets to sell pain killers.
He said the labelling of the drugs had been upgraded to warn people not to use the drug if they had stomach ulcers or were allergic to ibuprofen.
"Unless a doctor has told you to, don't use this product if you are aged over 65," the label says.
The new labels do not specifically mention the problems with diuretics or blood thinners but it does warn not to use with "other medicines you are taking regularly".
Dr McEwen said there were no plans to upgrade Australia's labels after the FDA announcement.
References
'Alarm over pain killer', The Daily Telegraph, 29th January 2004.
'FDA Launches Consumer Campaign on Safe Use of OTC Pain Products', FDA news, 22nd January 2004.
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