Sanofi-aventis backs safety of clopidogrel treatments

Sanofi-aventis has reaffirmed its confidence in the safety and efficacy of its clopidogrel-based drugs following a recall of generic treatments based on the compound.

The European Medicines Agency recently recommended a recall of a number of generic clopidogrel besylate products in European markets over safety concerns.

Sanofi-aventis is responsible for distributing clopidogrel-containing products such as Plavix, Iscover and Clopidogrel Winthrop, but it maintained that its medicines will not be affected by the recall due to their proven quality.

It pointed to the fact that treatments such as Plavix have been extensively trialled in clinical studies and prescribed to millions of patients without any quality-related recalls occurring.

The firm added that all of its clopidogrel products are produced “in full compliance with the relevant rules and regulations in force, including Good Manufacturing Practices”.

Last week, the company was granted approval by the European Commission for the sale of the clopidogrel-containing DuoPlavin/DuoCover, a heart disease treatment produced in conjunction with Bristol-Myers Squibb.