The safety of drugs commonly used to treat osteoporosis is to be examined by a panel in the US, something which may lead to new warnings being put on pharma labels in the UK.

Bisphosphonates such as Fosamax are to be examined by the Food and Drug Administration in September 2011 after a number of complaints and lawsuits relating to side effects.

The drugs have been linked to osteonecrosis of the jaw, a condition that could affect wound healing after dentistry, as well as to fractures of the femur.

Printed labels were put on to bisphosphonates in the US last year warning doctors to regularly check patients who have been on them for five years, but this new evaluation may affect their use generally.

Medications such as Fosamax work by preventing the loss of bone mass in people with osteoporosis who have previously had fractures.

According to the National Osteoporosis Society, 26 per cent of people with the condition in the UK suffered multiple fractures before they were diagnosed.

Denny Bros Ltd, 15 July 2011