Ten of the 32 government drug advisers who last week endorsed continued marketing of the huge-selling pain pills Celebrex, Bextra and Vioxx have consulted in recent years for the drugs' makers, according to disclosures in medical journals and other public records.
If the 10 advisers had not cast their votes, the committee would have voted 12 to 8 that Bextra should be withdrawn and 14 to 8 that Vioxx should not return to the market.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 10 advisers with company ties voted 9 to 1 to keep Bextra on the market and 9 to 1 for Vioxx's return. - nytimes.com
This is why I am glad that in NZ, we don't really have a "lobbyist layer" to our government - I mean, I'm sure it is there, but it's not a known job: Oh yes, when I grow up I want to be a political lobbyist for EEEEvil Companys.
Hopefully the NZ Govt will stick to its guns and keep Vioxx withdrawn and withdraw the other cox-2 inhibitors. Pfizer chief in NZ claims to be "mystified" as to the government's decision. I wonder what bit of "Your drug kills people" he missed.
Health officials say people taking these drugs should see their doctor about stopping:
Celebrex
Arcoxia
Mobic
Dynastat
Bextra
Vioxx has already been withdrawn from sale
(from the nzherald.co.nz)
Posted by phreq at February 26, 2005 06:23 AM | TrackBack