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.hpp.moh.gov.sg/, and follow the procedures below to access the MOH Alert system.

Step 1: Scroll down to the bottom navigation panel of the HPP web page. Under the Healthcare Professionals section, expand the dropdown option for ‘Healthcare Professional Portal’ and select your profession. You will be redirected to the specific HPP web page to log in.

Step 2: Click on the Restricted Content icon on the left panel of the web page and log in via SingPass.

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

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