Pharmacists are disappointed about the sudden recall of weight reducing drug Reductil, which has made them to compensate those patients who are not registered with them.

The manufacturer of the drug Abbott started recalling the drug from the market after a ministerial committee revealed that the drug poses more side effects than benefits.

Abbot has sent faxed letters to pharmacists for removing drug from their shelves. Abbott and the Therapeutic Goods Administration posted the preliminary statements online on Friday. As told by a spokeswoman for Abbott, the pharmacists were informed as soon as the recall was endorsed by the TGA. She added that the distribution of letters to pharmacists started on Monday.

They were not given any prior notice of recall and there arose a situation of bewilderment, as expressed by a spokesman for the Pharmacy Guild of Australia. He added that citing the newspaper reports about the recall over the weekend, there were number of queries from members to state and territory branches.

He said, "Abbott was made aware that the communication did not provide enough clarity on how pharmacists would be reimbursed for the refunds issued to patients for their current 30-day pack".