Tcomeau
Mon, Nov-15-04, 19:16
http://www.healthtalk.ca/drug_safety_panel_11132004_2882.php
FDA Bans Vioxx And Bextra Critic From Advisory Panel Meeting
November 13, 2004
A drug safety expert says his invitation to participate in a
meeting on the risks of arthritis drugs like Vioxx and Bextra
has been rescinded by government officials because he publicly
expressed concerns about the medications.
Curt Furberg, a member of the FDA's drug safety advisory
committee presented study data during a meeting of the
American Heart Association last week. During the meeting,
Furberg said a study showed people who took Bexta, a drug
similar to Vioxx, had twice the risk of having a heart attack
or stroke compared to those who didn't take it.
Bextra, a Pfizer drug, is a COX-2 inhibitor like Vioxx, which
Merck pulled off the market on September 30, because a study
showed that it doubled the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
Furberg expressed concerns that "higher-ups" in the FDA wanted
to silence him.
"I think they're trying to control criticism at the committee
meeting," the Washington Post quoted Furberg as saying.
The day after Furberg presented his findings he was informed
by the FDA that his invitation to sit on the panel discussion
on Vioxx was rescinded because he spoke out publicly about his
concerns over the drugs.
Officials at the FDA indicated Furberg was removed from the
panel because of his potential conflict of interests.
The advisory panel meets in February to discuss the risk of
Vioxx and other arthritis drugs.
*************
What conflicts of interest? He made public statements and that
is somehow considered a conflict of interest? What about the
FDA people who have past and current affiliations with various
pharma and food companies? Unbelievable. Only in America, the
land of unfettered free interprise.
He and his presentation should be the first thing on the
agenda.
TC
FDA Bans Vioxx And Bextra Critic From Advisory Panel Meeting
November 13, 2004
A drug safety expert says his invitation to participate in a
meeting on the risks of arthritis drugs like Vioxx and Bextra
has been rescinded by government officials because he publicly
expressed concerns about the medications.
Curt Furberg, a member of the FDA's drug safety advisory
committee presented study data during a meeting of the
American Heart Association last week. During the meeting,
Furberg said a study showed people who took Bexta, a drug
similar to Vioxx, had twice the risk of having a heart attack
or stroke compared to those who didn't take it.
Bextra, a Pfizer drug, is a COX-2 inhibitor like Vioxx, which
Merck pulled off the market on September 30, because a study
showed that it doubled the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
Furberg expressed concerns that "higher-ups" in the FDA wanted
to silence him.
"I think they're trying to control criticism at the committee
meeting," the Washington Post quoted Furberg as saying.
The day after Furberg presented his findings he was informed
by the FDA that his invitation to sit on the panel discussion
on Vioxx was rescinded because he spoke out publicly about his
concerns over the drugs.
Officials at the FDA indicated Furberg was removed from the
panel because of his potential conflict of interests.
The advisory panel meets in February to discuss the risk of
Vioxx and other arthritis drugs.
*************
What conflicts of interest? He made public statements and that
is somehow considered a conflict of interest? What about the
FDA people who have past and current affiliations with various
pharma and food companies? Unbelievable. Only in America, the
land of unfettered free interprise.
He and his presentation should be the first thing on the
agenda.
TC