The Dutch drug assessment agency CBG is recommending the anti-acne drug Diane-35 not be prescribed to new patients, following fears about its effect on health, the Volkskrant reports on Monday.

However, there is no reason to stop prescribing the hormone-based treatment to women currently using it, the CBG said. France has announced it will ban the medicine because of health fears.

The CBG said in a statement it wanted to wait for the results of a survey by the European medicines agency before taking a decision. The organisation also recommended the drug only be prescribed to treat acne and not as a contraceptive.

Deaths

At the weekend it emerged at least one young woman has died after using Diane-35. A further nine deaths, mainly young women, are also being investigated.

Some 160,000 women are thought to use Diane-35 in the Netherlands. It is mainly prescribed to treat acne and excessive facial hair.

Health minister Edith Schippers has said she will update parliament this week.