Northerner
Admin (Retired)
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
The UK medicines watchdog is to review the safety of a clot-busting drug often used to treat strokes.
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency believes the benefits of alteplase outweigh the risks.
But it is revisiting the evidence. Some experts say previous assessments may have been flawed.
The Academy of Medical Royal Colleges welcomed the investigation, saying the review has "huge implications" for patient safety.
A stroke is a medical emergency - and there is one every five minutes in the UK.
Most strokes are caused by a clot blocking the flow of blood to the brain.
Many patients are given alteplase to break down and disperse the clot - treatment known as thrombolysis.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-28900824
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency believes the benefits of alteplase outweigh the risks.
But it is revisiting the evidence. Some experts say previous assessments may have been flawed.
The Academy of Medical Royal Colleges welcomed the investigation, saying the review has "huge implications" for patient safety.
A stroke is a medical emergency - and there is one every five minutes in the UK.
Most strokes are caused by a clot blocking the flow of blood to the brain.
Many patients are given alteplase to break down and disperse the clot - treatment known as thrombolysis.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-28900824