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News – 15 January 2007
Concern over incorrect thyroid medication information
The latest Medical Journal of Australia has released the results of a study completed by Professor of Medicine, Professor Jim Stockigt – Monash University – The Alfred and Epworth Hospital – Melbourne Australia.
Professor Stockigt has reviewed current patient information (PI) related to thyroid medications.
The results of Professor Stockigt's study show discrepancies in information provided to patients compared with medical literature and Australasian and international standards.
The medications highlighted were two anti-thyroid drugs, carbimazole and propylthiouracil used to treat hyperthyroidism and thyroxine, used to treat hypothyroidism.
As the information provided to patients has not been regularly updated since 1985, Professor Stockigt's recommendations are for the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) to review their guidelines and make appropriate changes.
The Australian Thyroid Foundation support Professor Stockigt's findings and recommendations and will do everything possible to help with these changes to provide accurate patient information (PI) for the benefit of treating doctors and patients.
Thyroid patients under specialist care are unlikely to be affected by unreliable drug information.
Below is a media release issued by The Australian Thyroid Foundation Monday 15th January 2007.