Given the significant number of side effects shown in the group that took colchicine compared to placebo - in particular, a risk of pulmonary embolism (blood clots), they deemed the risks to patients too high.
The INESSS health officials said the risk of blood clots, was of most concern to the experts who form their committee.
The recommendation is an interim decision and could be reevaluated once the Montreal-led study on colchicine is peer-reviewed and published or more information, including the results of confirmatory studies, come to light.
Doctors and scientists who are part of a program at the MUHC that works to improve the treatment of infections and reduce adverse effects went the same route last Thursday.