Committee had concerns over serious allergic reactions and limited evidence of benefit
EMA’s Pharmacovigilance Risk Assessment Committee (PRAC) has recommended that the marketing authorisation for fusafungine-containing medicines be revoked, so the medicines can no longer be marketed in the EU. This follows a review by the PRAC which concluded that the benefits of fusafungine did not outweigh its risks, particularly the risk of serious allergic reactions. Fusafungine is an antibiotic and anti-inflammatory nose and mouth spray used to treat upper airway infections such as rhinopharyngitis (common cold).
The majority of the serious allergic reactions occurred soon after the use of the medicine and involved bronchospasm (excessive and prolonged contractions of the airway muscles leading to difficulty breathing). Although the PRAC review found that serious allergic reactions are rare, they can be life-threatening, and the PRAC considered that no measures had been identified to sufficiently reduce this risk.
With regard to the benefits, the PRAC considered that the evidence for beneficial effects of fusafungine is weak. Taking into account the mild and self-limited nature of upper airway diseases such as rhinopharyngitis the PRAC considered that the benefits of fusafungine did not outweigh the risks.
In addition, the PRAC was concerned about the potential for fusafungine to promote antibiotic resistance (the ability of bacteria to grow in the presence of an antibiotic that would normally kill them or limit their growth). Although the evidence was insufficient to conclude on the risk of resistance, this risk could not be excluded.
The PRAC therefore concluded that the benefit-risk balance for fusafungine-containing medicines is negative for all currently authorised uses and recommended that their marketing authorisation be revoked in the EU.
The PRAC recommendation will be considered by the Co-ordination Group for Mutual Recognition and Decentralised Procedures – Human (CMDh), which will adopt a final position. Further details including advice for patients and healthcare professionals will be published at the time of the CMDh position.
Patients and healthcare professionals should note that the marketing authorisations of fusafungine-containing medicines are not yet revoked and the medicines will remain available while a final decision is pending. Further information will be issued in due course. Patients who have any questions should speak to their doctor or pharmacist.