Novartis MS (CRAB) drug investigated after 11 deaths

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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

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