The recent claim that the drug has been developed to treat diabetes is inaccurate, Health Department chief medical officer John Cann said.

Rezulin is one of many drugs developed recently and has been useful in treating some, but not all, patients who suffer from Type II diabetes, or diabetes mellitus.

But Rezulin is still being tested, so its long-term effectiveness is unknown, Dr. Cann said.

The best guide to if a patient's condition indicates that Rezulin may be useful is the patient's doctor, he said.

"Those whose curiosity has been piqued by recent statements about the effectiveness of the drug are urged to speak to their own physicians about whether the drug might assist them.''