JERUSALEM—Following a high-profile investigation, Israel’s Health Ministry announced Aug. 22 that the popular Israeli painkiller Optalgin may continue to be sold over the counter, without a prescription.
The investigation followed four reported cases in recent months of patients suffering severe side effects, including dropping white blood cell counts and signs of infection, after using the drug. The drug is produced by Teva Pharmaceuticals and known generically as dipyrone.
“None of the cases involved taking only Optalgin. … These were patients with chronic diseases who took a number of drugs at the same time,” the ministry said in a statement. “Thus ...
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