CHAND: METFORMIN FIRST LINE TREATMENT FOR DIABETICS

METFORMIN is safe and it is incorrect for the Health Minister, Dr Ifereimi Waqainabete, to say the medicine was harmful to people with heart disease, says Fiji Pharmaceutical Society president Reenal Chand.

He said he would like to reassure the public the drug was safe to use.

Dr Waqainabete had informed Parliament last week that people with heart issues should not take metformin because it could cause a massive heart attack and people could die.

Mr Chand said metformin was the first line treatment for diabetic patients.

“These medications are keeping people alive and metformin has been around for decades and if there was something that is alarming about this medication, then we would have stopped issuing it long ago,” he said.

“The society believes that metformin is a safe drug, it’s the first line for treatment of diabetes patients who have weight issues and it has been used extensively in the country and around the world.

“There are a lot of other new drugs being introduced but metformin remains the first line treatment.

“With every medication there are risks versus benefits so every medication has its list of side effects and as well as considerations that needs to be taken but this is something your doctor weighs out for you.

“There are risks associated with matters but the risk has to be negligible for it to be prescribed to you. There are certain patients that metformin will not be applicable but for most people it is often very safe to use.”

Mr Chand said he was unaware of the context the minister based his comments.

“But I am sure he made his considerations.”

Mr Chand advised prescribed metformin patients to continue taking their medication.