CWHN comments on Diane-35 in CMAJ

Version imprimable

The Canadian Medical Association Journal recently quoted CWHN's Executive Director Anne Rochon Ford in an article discussing the dangers of Diane-35. This prescription drug, manufactured by Bayer, is a hormonal treatment prescribed to treat acne and is commonly prescribed "off label" as an oral contraceptive.

At the end of January 2013 the National Agency for the Safety of Drugs and Health Products (ANSM) in France stopped sales of the drug Diane-35 due to safety concerns, including the deaths of four women from blood clots. At the same time, Health Canada announced that it will review the safety of Diane-35 in Canada in light of the decision in France. 

Read Scrutiny of Diane-35 due to potential dangers of off-label prescribing in the Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMAJ), February 19, 2013.

Read about the French decision in the Telegraph and about Health Canada's announcement on the CBC website.

And read about the work of CWHN's partner Women and Health Protection in 2004 related to the safety concerns about Diane-35.