Fw: [LDN_Users] Novartis MS (CRAB) drug investigated after 11 deaths

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[LDN_Users] Novartis MS (CRAB) drug investigated after 11 deaths

LONDON (AP) — A multiple sclerosis drug made by industry giant Novartis is

under investigation after at least 11 patients taking the medicine died.

The drug, Gilenya, was licensed last year in the European Union to treat

patients with a severe type of multiple sclerosis.

The deaths raise concerns Gilenya could trigger heart problems after patients

take their first dose, according to a statement issued Friday by the European

Medicines Agency. The agency, which is now investigating the drug, said it isn't

clear if it caused the deaths.

One of the deaths was in the U.S., where a patient died within 24 hours of

taking the first dose.

The European agency said it didn't know where the other 10 deaths occurred, but

that they were reported to its drug database, which monitors side effects from

medicines in the European Union.

A spokeswoman at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said it also is

conducting a data analysis but has not made any definitive conclusions and does

not know when its review will be complete.

http://health.yahoo.net/news/s/ap/novartis-drug-investigated-after-11-deaths