France. Sanofi-Synthélabo has withdrawn its hyperuricaemic product benzbromarone (Desuric) in France following reports of serious liver damage associated with the product's use. Benzbromarone (Desuric) has been marketed in France since 1976, but rare reports of serious cytolytic liver damage, including fatal cases and others requiring liver transplants, have led to an unfavourable benefit/risk ratio. The company has therefore decided to stop the marketing of this product in France and to recall all stocks.

Reference:

Chaibriant H. Stop marketing of proprietary medical product DESURIC (Rm) (benzbromarone), 22 Apr 2003. Available from URL: http://agmed.sante.gouv.fr