ISLAMABAD, Oct 20: The federal health ministry has directed the provincial governments to ensure complete withdrawal of recently-banned medicines containing 'Rofecoxib' from the market.

It may be mentioned that the product had earlier been withdrawn by the company after evidences of increased risk of cardiovascular events, including heart attack and stroke.

The ministry has already informed the provincial governments about the cancellation of the registration of drugs containing 'Rofecoxib', besides the information has been notified to the companies and the public. The initiative was taken after reports that the medicines were still being sold in some areas.

The Drugs Registration Board on Thursday last had cancelled the registration of all drugs containing 'Rofecoxib' after reviewing reports of increased risk of cardiovascular events and worldwide withdrawal of "Rofecoxib" by the manufacturer.