Bextra and Vioxx approved by FDA panel with ties to the drug industry 


The New York Times reported on Friday that 10 of the 32 advisors to the F.D.A. who made recommendations about whether the drugs Celebrex, Bextra and Vioxx should continue to be marketed to the public have financial ties to the companies that make those drugs. The Times said, "If the 10 advisers had not cast their votes, the committee would have voted 12 to 8 that Bextra should be withdrawn and 14 to 8 that Vioxx should not return to the market [...] The votes of the 10 did not substantially influence the committee's decision on Celebrex [...]" 

The Times had previously reported that "Merck withdrew Vioxx in September after a study showed that the drug doubled the risks of heart attack and stroke [...] Since then, more studies have shown similar risks for Celebrex and Bextra." New Scientist said, "Since 1999 Vioxx is believed to have caused between 88,000 and 140,000 extra cases of serious heart disease in the US alone."

These drugs do not cure pain any better than older medicines such as ibuprofen. They are supposed to benefit people who have a higher risk for ulcers, but these same people often have a higher risk for heart attacks as well. 

Posted: Sunday - February 27, 2005 at 01:49 PM          

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