The old formula of Levothyrox has been suspended: this drug against hypothyroidism will be available in France at least until the end of 2022, instead of the end of 2021, the Merck laboratory announced on Saturday.
"Due to the health crisis and the difficulties that some patients may encounter in changing treatment during this period, the Euthyrox specialty will remain available in France until the end of 2022," said Merck in a press release.
Euthyrox is a drug initially intended for the Russian market and strictly corresponding to the old formula of Levothyrox.
Merck had already extended its availability last year until the end of 2021, instead of stopping its distribution last September.
The associations demanded this extension
Several associations had called for this extension, believing that neither the new formula of Levothyrox marketed by the Merck laboratory since 2017 nor any of the other comparable drugs recently on the market were suitable for certain patients.
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Merck explains that the National Medicines Safety Agency (ANSM) asked it for a further extension in April.
This aimed "to take into account the concerns reported by patient associations, some patients not having been able to prepare for the transition to therapeutic alternatives to the old formula of Levothyrox in the context of global Covid-19 epidemic ”, according to the laboratory.
Merck adds that it is "committed to continuing to import into France the specialty Euthyrox marketed in Russia, as long as it can continue to do so, that is to say at least until the end of the year. 2022 ”.
The new formula of Levothyrox, modifying some of its excipients in order to bring more stability to the product, has been incriminated by patients suffering from headaches, insomnia or even dizziness.
