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WHAT IS THE DRUG NOLOTIL? AND WHY IS IT CONTROVERSIAL?

Nolotil, which is available on prescription in Spain and Portugal, is given out for mild pain, such as toothaches and muscular discomfort.

Its main side effect is hypersensitivity, which can lead to people suffering from agranulocytosis. This is defined as severely low white blood cell counts, which are involved in the immune system.

Assuming that 300 million people take Nolotil once a month, between 50 and 500 deaths would occur as a result of the medication over a year. People with fair skin are thought to be more affected.  

After its mass production in 1922, Nolotil was first banned in Sweden in 1974, followed by the US in 1979 and subsequently most of the EU.  Many countries still use Nolotil for veterinary use. 

It is available over-the-counter in Russia, with reports suggesting it makes up around 80 per cent of the region's painkiller market. Nolotil is also readily available to the public in Mexico, India and Brazil.

Some argue Nolotil causes less cardiovascular, kidney and gastrointestinal side effects than other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as aspirin.

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