Health ministry suspends use of letrozole

NEW DELHI: Considering the concerns raised by the medical experts, the Union Health Ministry has suspended the manufacturing and marketing of letrozole, which is used for anovulatory infertility. According to the health experts, this drug renders some adverse effects on human beings.

Letrozole is a research molecule developed by Novartis. It has also received approval for use breast cancer in postmenopausal women. The decision of Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) to give its approval to Sun Pharmaceuticals for the marketing of letrozole was widely opposed by the medical fraternity about two years ago. There were some reports highlighting the side effects of this medicine in women of childbearing age.

Earlier, the Drugs Technical Advisory Board (DTAB) of the health ministry recommended to suspend the use of letrozole. The Board went through all aspects of this controversial drug and reached at a consensus for its suspension. The Board members found that the use of letrozole for induction of ovulation in anovulatory infertility might bring some risk to human health.