The Ministry of Health bans Biocalyptol and withdraws shares from the market

The Ministry of Health instructed its interests across the states and the National Syndicate of Private Pharmacists to prevent the use of dry cough medicine – syrup – “Biocalyptol” and to withdraw it from the market, on the grounds that it was banned by the European Medicines Agency, because it contained “pholcodine”.

And the Ministry of Health ordered, through the correspondence that “Al-Hiwar” viewed, to make a note in the anesthesia reports about the consumption of this drug during the months preceding the operation due to the serious allergy it causes, as it was stated in the European Medicines Agency’s recommendation that these drugs may cause a dangerous allergic reaction If the patient undergoes general anesthesia, it may lead to death.

The European Medicines Agency had recently announced the ban of liquid cough medicines that contain “pholcodine” in European Union countries, because they may cause a dangerous allergic reaction if the patient undergoes general anesthesia. These liquids, which treat dry coughs in children and adults, may carry risks even if taken long before anesthesia.

And the European Medicines Agency indicated, in a statement announcing its decision, which will enter into force after obtaining administrative approval, that “taking pholcodine in the twelve months preceding anesthesia may cause, during the patient’s anesthesia, a sudden and dangerous allergic reaction and may lead to to death.

These drugs, which began to be used in the fifties of the last century, were still sold in Belgium, Croatia, France, Ireland, Lithuania, Luxembourg and Slovenia, under several names, including “Dimetane”, “Biocalyptol” and “Bronchaline”. Last September, the French health authorities announced the withdrawal of marketing licenses for these liquid medicines, pointing out that those that were previously distributed to pharmacies or health centers will be withdrawn from the market.