Controversial Acne Pill Diane-35 to be Used in Some Cases, Risks Include Blood Clots

France's health regulators confirmed that the much debated acne pill, Diane 35, may be used in some cases. This is part of regulation's guide to working with the European Commission.

Yet, according to Reuters, officials may keep sales of the treatment on hold until further notice.

A formal safety review with the European Medicines Agency held this month, confirmed that the benefits of the drug outweighed many of the risks, which include the chance of blood clots forming in veins and arteries.

Back in January, the National Agency for the Safety of Drugs and Health Products halted the sales of the product and any generic versions of the drug from the result of four deaths linked to the medication, which is made by the German firm Bayer.

In January, the agency's director, Dominique Maranichi, noted that while the product was originally used for treating acne in women, some doctors were also prescribing it as a contraceptive means to stop ovulation, according to France 24. 

"This drug is not licensed for use as a contraceptive," she said. "(...) But it is being used as such, in this secondary role...yet there are plenty of other alternative contraceptives that can be used in this country."

According to the ANSM website, Diane-35 is sold in 116 countries.