New Zealand medical authorities will investigate the use of anti-diabetes drug, Avandia, which is suspected to increase the risk of heart disease and stroke.

In Europe, the license for rosiglitazone has been suspended. Rosiglitazone is the active ingredient of the Avandia drug, which declines the level of sugar in the body and improves insulin sensitivity.

The U. S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has given the order to sell the drug in the market, but with tight restrictions.

FDA scientist and lead author of a US study, David Graham, has demanded the complete ban of the medicine.

On the other hand, following the ban in the European countries, the UAE has also decided to recall the type-2 diabetes drug from all hospitals and pharmacies. It is apposite to note that in the UAE, a lot of people are suffering from type-2 diabetes.

All Government and private hospitals and pharmacies have received a circular from the UAE health ministry and have four weeks’ time to follow the orders.

GlaxoSmithKline PLC stated that for type-2 diabetes patients, rosiglitazone is a very vital treatment option.

Tony Hoos, who is the European Medical Director of the Company, said the drug had been studied in as many as 50,000 diabetic patients.