The IMPL Communication will harm the sale of medicines for hypertension?

Ten post jest także dostępny w języku: polski

According to a communiqué published in mid-October by the Office for Registration of Medicinal Products and Biocidal Products (URPL), approximately 70 drugs based on hydrochlorothiazide (HTCZ) are available on the Polish market, which may increase the risk of skin cancer. Medicines based on this substance are commonly used primarily in the treatment of hypertension.

The photosensitizing effect of HTCZ may contribute to the development of skin cancer other than melanoma. It is basal cell carcinoma of the skin and squamous cell carcinoma.  The incidence of these cancers in the population is relatively rare, ranging from 1-34 cases per 100,000 inhabitants in the case of squamous cell carcinoma. With the use of HTCZ-based drugs it may increase 4 to 7.7 times. For basal cell carcinoma the same frequency is 30 to 150 cases.  If HTCZ is taken, the risk may increase 1.3 times.  It is worth noting that the risk increases with the use of increased cumulative doses of hydrochlorothiazide.

URPL Information is based on the work of the European Medicines Agency’s Risk Assessment Committee (EMA). Two pharmacoeconomic studies were also carried out based on data sources from Denmark.

According to PMR experts, the relationship between the use of HTCZ and skin cancers is too small to harm the sale of HTCZ-based medicines. In addition, the risk of photosensitization may be lower in Poland than in Denmark, where the majority of the population has a fair complexion. However, the URPL recommends that physicians reconsider the use of HTCZ-based drugs in patients with family history of skin cancer.