Vioxx Recall Draws Attention To Pfizer's Celebrex

November 8, 2004

November 07, 2004

The recall of Merck's arthritis drug Vioxx has drawn attention to overall

drug safety, more specifically, a similar drug known as Celebrex, by the

drug maker Pfizer.

A Canadian law firm has launched a class-action lawsuit against Pfizer. Inc.

alleging its drug Celebrex caused heart problems, similar to those suffered

by patients on Vioxx. Celebrex and Vioxx are both COX-2 inhibitors taken for

inflammation caused by arthritis. They work by selectively blocking the

COX-2 enzyme.

The law firm, Saskatchewan-based Merchant Law Group also included Pfizer's

Bextra in its suit. They also launched a Canadian Vioxx Class Action against

Merck on October 1st. Class action proceedings were launched against Merck

in the United States on September 30th.

On Thursday, officials in Canada indicated they received reports that link

the pain drug Celebrex to more than 12 deaths and numerous heart-related

side effects, however, Health Canada indicated it would be premature to

issue a warning or pull the drug because there was no proof those cases were

caused by Celebrex.

According to a published newspaper report, over the past five years, the

Canada Adverse Drug Reaction Monitoring Program collected about 100

adverse-reports on Celebrex.

Pfizer reacted by insisting Celebrex is safe, and called the report

questioning the safety of Celebrex " misleading. "

" The news report, based on voluntary spontaneous event reporting to Canadian

Health authorities, is misleading, " said an official statement by Pfizer.

Vioxx was recalled by Merck in September because studies showed it doubled

the risk of heart attack.

Health Canada gave Pfizer until November 19, to provide information from

worldwide clinical trials on the heart effects of Celebrex.

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