"No evidence" of risk with abacavir; CHMP

Finalizing a review of recent data on the risk of myocardial infarction associated with the use of UK drug major GlaxoSmithKline's anti-HIV  medication abacavir in HIV-infected patients, the European Medicines  Agency's (EMEA) Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP)  has concluded that there is insufficient evidence to recommend changes  to the therapeutic management of patients.

This follows the Committee's review of findings from the D:A:D study  last year (Marketletter April 7, 2008), which concluded that further  data were needed to determine this risk. Nevertheless, the CHMP says  product information for abacavir-containing medicines will be updated to  reflect the need to minimize modifiable risk factors, such as smoking,  high blood pressure and high blood-fat levels.