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	The Pharmaceutical Journal Vol 271 No 7257 p47 12 July 2003	This page Reprint Photocopy
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Letters to the Editor

Zinamide

Is this another example of profits before patients?

From Mr A. R. Smith, MRPharmS

May we through your columns express our utter dismay with both the decision of Merck Sharp & Dohme to discontinue Zinamide in the United Kingdom and the short notice given, in that we were informed it had ceased production after the event.

At a time when it is well recognised that Mycobacterium tuberculosis is anything but beaten. (The World Health Organization estimates that, between 2002 and 2020, two million people worldwide will die of tuberculosis each year.) We can only think this is another example of putting profits before patients.

We also wonder at the ethical basis of this decision since it would clearly seem to be in conflict with the principle that "at all times pharmacists must act in the interests of patients and other members of the public".

Allan R Smith
Ian MacDonald
Ysobel Gourlay
Gartnavel General Hospital
Glasgow

Dr John Young, medical director, Merck, Sharp & Dohme Ltd, replies:

Merck & Co Inc discontinued the production of Zinamide (pyrazinamide) 500mg tablets in June 2003 following supply problems of the active ingredient from our authorised suppliers.

As always when dealing with these difficult situations, MSD explored alternative sources and hoped to ensure that patients would continue to have uninterrupted access to pyrazinamide after the exhaustion of company stock in the retail chain.

In this instance and due to unforeseen circumstances, the notification process for announcing the discontinuation of Zinamide via the pharmaceutical press and individual mailings was shorter than normal.

We are aware that pyrazinamide is still available through other suppliers. Other products are also available for treating tuberculosis.

On behalf of MSD I would like to apologise for this situation and assure your readers that every effort will be made to ensure that the appropriate notification process will be implemented in the future. Pharmacists with further inquiries can telephone 01992 467272.

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