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Medsafe is looking at two possible alternatives to the controversial thyroid drug Eltroxin.
At a media conference in Wellington yesterday Medsafe announced the companies behind two alternative thyroid drugs had made applications to supply their drugs to New Zealand.
Medsafe's principal technical specialist, Dr Stewart Jessamine, said Medsafe expected to be in a position to make a decision about approving one of those drugs by the end of this month. It was important any new drug would have a guaranteed ongoing supply, he said.
It was too early to say whether Pharmac would ultimately fund two thyroid drugs or just one. However, Dr Jessamine said patient feedback had strongly indicated people wanted a funded alternative to Eltroxin.
Eltroxin's principal ingredient, levothyroxine, helps people with an under-active thyroid gland. It is taken by 70,000 New Zealanders.
Medsafe has been investigating Eltroxin after a new formula of the drug caused a surge in side-effects - including nausea, headaches and weight gain - among its New Zealand users. By yesterday 810 patient complaints had been made, Dr Jessamine said.
He said it appeared the new formulation of Eltroxin behind the complaints appeared to not be absorbed by patients in the same way as the old formulation.
