Rosiglitazone: Scottish Conservatives warned of dangers in 2008

Reports indicate that Rosiglitazone, a drug for type 2 diabetes, is still being prescribed months after the Commission on Human Medicines (CHM) called for the withdrawal of the drug.

Conservatives have expressed anger that we have reached this stage, given warnings they issued to the Scottish Government as long ago as January 2008 (see notes to editors).

Then Shadow Minister for Public Health, Jackson Carlaw MSP, says:

"As long ago as January 2008 Conservatives were tabling questions asking what the Government was doing to protect the Scottish public from the potential dangers posed by this drug.

 
"It's therefore a matter of great concern that - more than two and a half years later - the drug is still being prescribed, especially in light of the CHM's more recent call for its complete withdrawal.

 
"Questions have to be asked about how seriously the authorities took warnings from the Conservatives and others that this drug was a potential health hazard. Regardless, given recent events, there can be no doubt that the drug should no longer be prescribed and - on this occasion - the Scottish Government should waste no time in ensuring this becomes the reality."

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