Communication on cases of necrotising fasciitis reported with Avastin® (Bevacizumab)

Roche would like to inform healthcare professionals of cases of necrotising fasciitis reported with Avastin® (Bevacizumab). In Roche's clinical trials safety database, cases of necrotising fasciitis were reported in 0.03% (4/ 12,845) of Avastin®-treated patients compared to none in the control arms. From Roche's global post-marketing safety database, 52 patients with necrotising fasciitis were identified. Majority of the patients had gastrointestinal perforation, fistula formation or wound healing complications preceding the development of necrotising fasciitis. Some of these patients died due to complications of necrotising fasciitis. It is recommended to discontinue Avastin® and to promptly initiate appropriate therapy upon the diagnosis of necrotising fasciitis. The package insert for Avastin® will be updated to reflect the new safety information.

 
 
Healthcare professional, Therapeutic Products
Published:

Dear Healthcare Professional Letters

12 Dec 2019

Only abstracts of the Dear Healthcare Professional Letters (DHCPL) are provided on this website. Details of the letters can be found on the MOH Alert System, which is accessible via the Health Professionals Portal (HPP). HPP is a one-stop portal for all healthcare professionals in Singapore. Dentists, medical doctors and pharmacists may access HPP at https://www.moh.gov.sg/hpp/, and follow the procedures below to access the MOH Alert system.

Step 1: On the top navigation ribbon of webpage, select 'For Healthcare Professionals' followed by 'Health Professionals Portal' and click on the choice of profession. User will be redirected to the specific HPP webpage for the selected profession.

Step 2: Click on the Restricted Content icon on the left panel of webpage and login via SingPass.

Step 3: Click on the MOH Alert icon under ‘Applications’ section

Step 4: Click on the Drug Alert tab to view the DHCPLs.