The Department of Health advises people to stop taking anti-inflammatory drug Bextra.

The US Food & Drug Administration has requested the voluntarily withdrawal of the drug by the company. There has been concern over the increased risk of cardiovascular toxicity and severe skin reactions in patients taking it.

The local importer, Pfizer, has agreed to immediately stop selling the drug which is a prescription-only medicine.

The department advises users to contact their doctors about alternative treatment.