Celebrex Lawsuits

Selecting a Bextra Attorney

2005-04-12T08:23:00.000-07:00

With the recent FDA decision to remove Bextra from the market, hundreds of lawsuits have been filed on behalf of Bextra users. Did you use Bextra? Were you damaged in any way from using Bextra? Do you have a case against Pfizer Inc.? Consulting a class action attorney is the only way to know.

The following information relates to the Bextra recall and the selection of a Bextra attorney but it may also apply in the case of a Celebrex recall.

Finding a Bextra Attorney

1) Consult a Bextra attorney. Not all attorneys specialize in class action suits, so just any attorney will not do. Look at the ads on this page or do a 'Google' search for "Bextra attorney".

2) If you visit a website and you don't see clearly that it is operated by a lawyer - leave. Do not give any personal information to an intermediary of any kind. A website operated by a Bextra attorney should have complete contact information including the name, address and phone number and not just an email address.

3) If something looks 'too good to be true' - it probably is 'too good to be true'. Don't be fooled by phony websites that promise to make you a 'Bextra millionaire'.

4) Consult with friends and relatives regarding the selection of a Bextra attorney. They may know of an excellent attorney that specializes in class action lawsuits.

5) Be informed. Read articles on Bextra recall and Bextra lawsuits on this site and on sites such as 'Vioxx News' and 'Celebrex and Vioxx Update'.

6) The only person that can tell if you have a viable case is a Bextra attorney. If you or someone you love has been hurt by the use of Vioxx, you owe it to yourself to consult with a Bextra attorney.

Bextra Removed - Lawsuits Imminent

2005-04-12T07:32:00.000-07:00

In a move that surprised many, Pfizer's blockbuster painkiller Bextra was yanked off the market this past Thursday. Then the FDA ordered that 19 other popular prescription competitors – from Celebrex to Mobic to high-dose naproxen – carry tough new warnings that they, too, may increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes.

The black box warnings, are the strongest the Food and Drug Administration can order. These warnings are bound to cause confusion amonst patients and doctors everywhere are receiving calls from Bextra and Celebrex users. To help solve these problems the FDA has advised patients to ask which painkiller is best suited to their personal health risks, and then take the lowest dose possible.

The FDA said that in addition to the cardiac concern, Bextra appears to cause rare but serious skin conditions – some fatal. The FDA felt that these factors made the drug too risky to remain on the market.

Bextra Lawsuits Expected to Rise
The action by the FDA to remove Bextra from the market is sure to increase the number of Bextra lawsuits. When Merck was forced to recall Vioxx, personal injury lawyers began to recruit clients in great numbers. Some Bextra lawsuits were filed at this time. Expect that these same attorneys will begin to assemble clients for more Bextra class action lawsuits.

Conflict of Interest in Vioxx, Celebrex, Bextra FDA Panel

2005-03-07T07:37:00.000-08:00

An FDA panel of scientists and doctors recently voted to keep Celebrex and Bextra on the market and to allow for a possible return to the market for Vioxx. The FDA typically follows recommendations of its advisory panels and these decisions were widely seen as a victory for both Merck and Pfizer.

With Vioxx and Celebrex lawsuits increasing daily, both Merck and Pfizer were looking for any edge they could get. The fact that the FDA panel did not remove the products from the market and in fact voted to return Vioxx to the market meant that lawyers could point to the panel decision and say, "The FDA didn't find a serious problem here - these products must be OK!" Attorneys for Merck and Pfizer were elated with the decisions. Attorneys for Vioxx and Celebrex plaintiffs were troubled. Their lawsuits just became more difficult to win.

However, as is usually the case when discussing lawsuits that involve huge sums of money, not everything is quite as simple as it appears. The New York Times asked the Center for Science in the Public Interest to look into the panel to see if there were any conflicts of interest. The results of the research showed that 10 of the 32 panel members were paid consultants for either Pfizer or Merck. Further analysis showed that if those 10 panelists had not voted, the committee would have rejected future sales of Bextra and Vioxx.

"Votes are tainted", Sen. Charles Grassley
"Unfortunately, the votes ... are now, justly or unjustly, tainted," said Iowa Republican Sen. Charles Grassley, chairman of the Senate Finance Committee.

With this information now out in the open, what had appeared as a victory for Merck and Pfizer, is a hollow victory at best. If they try to use the decision of the FDA panel in court, the plaintiff lawyers will point out the conflict of interest and that the findings of the panel have no merit.

The FDA had been looked upon as a source of information. Information that could make or break the pending Vioxx, Celebrex and Bextra lawsuits. Unfortunately, once again, the FDA was not up to the task.

Related story: Vioxx Inquiry Panel Biased?

More Vioxx News: Conflict of Interest on COX-2 Panel

Winning a Celebrex Lawsuit Just Got Harder

2005-02-18T11:37:00.000-08:00

FDA Panel Votes to Leave Celebrex on the Market
At the federal drug advisory meeting today in Maryland a panel of 31 drug and cardivascular experts recommended that Celebrex be left on the market and "agreed that the possible benefits from Celebrex outweighed the chances of cardiovascular problems."

"I don't think any one of us is saying that these drugs should be taken off the market but that they should be used at the lowest safest dose," said Dr. Gary Hoffman of the Cleveland Clinic.

Dr. Michael Domanski of the National Institutes of Health agreed, saying, "It's pretty clear that there is an excess risk confirmed by some or all of these drugs."

Although the FDA doesn't have to follow the recommendations from an inquiry, they almost always agree with the findings. This is bad news for anyone trying to win a Celebrex lawsuit. In order to win such a suit it is likely that you will have to prove a direct link between the drug and damage done to the heart. This task has become more difficult now that the FDA has not removed Celebrex from the market. In fact, Pfizer will now be able to say that Celebrex must be safe since it was not recalled.

The lone bright light for those seeking to win a Celebrex lawsuit would appear to be Dr. David Graham. Dr. Graham, is a drug-safety officer for the FDA and in his testimony suggested that taking high doses of cox-2 drugs (Celebrex,Bextra) hurt the heart even more than smoking, diabetes or high blood pressure.

The inquiry concludes today and meeting Chairman Alistair J.J. Wood of Vanderbilt University Medical School summed up what still needs to be done by saying, "We need to find the unique patients that will benefit from this drug and work out what they need to be told."

Celebrex Lawyers Hunt for Clients

2005-02-09T06:13:00.000-08:00

Major Lawfirms Now Seeking Clients for Celebrex Lawsuits
According to a press release issued today, the Manhattan NY personal injury lawfirm Weitz & Luxenberg has begun an aggressive campaign to recruit patients that have been harmed by Celebrex.

They believe that the recent release of a 1999 clinical trial (that showed clear cardiovascular risks in elderly patients taking the drug)indicates that Pfizer Inc. knew the dangers posed by Celebrex.

"As late as October of 2004, in response to the Vioxx recall, Pfizer said that no studies had ever shown increased Celebrex-related cardiovascular risks. Now Pfizer has acknowledged that, in a 1999 study where Celebrex was tested as a treatment for Alzheimer's disease, patients taking Celebrex quadrupled their risk for a heart attack versus those taking a placebo. This study was not published until June of 2001, four months after the FDA conducted a safety review of Vioxx and Celebrex."

Celebrex Called "Dangerous Medicine"
The firm has launched an aggressive television ad campaign that shows a Celebrex tablet being dropped into a glass of water. The water becomes murky and an announcer says, "Don't let Pfizer muddy the legal waters around Celebrex. Suppressed clinical trials prove it's dangerous medicine."

Related story:Can Celebrex Lawsuits be Won?
Contact info: Celebrex Lawyers

Canadian Lawfirm Files Celebrex Class Action Lawsuit

2005-02-01T13:46:00.000-08:00

Another Celebrex Class Action Lawsuit Filed
The Poyner Baxter law firm of North Vancouver, BC has filed a class action lawsuit against Pfizer Inc. over their pain killing medication, Celebrex.

Celebrex has been associated with an increased risk of serious adverse cardiovascular complications, including but not limited to, heart attack, stroke, angina pectoris, atrial fibrillation, bradycardia, hematoma, irregular heartbeat, palpitation, premature ventricular contraction, tachycardia, venous insufficiency, cerebrovascular accident, congestive heart failure, deep venous thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, transient ischemic attack, unstable angina, and occlusion.

The statement of claim alleges among other things that the Defendants failed to give Health Canada complete and accurate information and that the Defendants failed to conduct any or any adequate follow-up studies on the efficacy and safety of Celebrex;

For the complete Statement of Claim: Celebrex Class Action Lawsuit
Related article: Celebrex Class Action Suit Filed in Pittsburgh

Study Makes it Harder to Win a Celebrex Lawsuit

2005-02-01T07:18:00.000-08:00

Results of a major medical study from Canada's McGill University in Montreal may play a pivotal role in any and all Celebrex lawsuits. The study shows that taking Vioxx increased the risk of heart attack and stroke. However, the study did not show the same risks for those taking Celebrex.

"No Similar Increase in Risk Found for Celebrex"
The results of the study of 113,927 patients that took painkillers (January 1999 until June 2004) showed that heart attacks increased by 21 percent for those on lower doses of Vioxx and by 73 percent for those on higher doses of Vioxx. The report also concluded that no similar increase in risk was found for Celebrex.

The implications are clear. In order to win a Celebrex lawsuit you must prove that any damage (heart attack, stroke etc.) was directly caused by taking the drug. This study, published in the online edition of the 'Annals of Internal Medicine' makes that task more difficult.

Many class action lawyers are still evaluating potential cases and of course their chances of winning a Celebrex lawsuit. This, along with the fact that there has been no recall of Celebrex is why there hasn't been a flood of lawsuits thus far. If you feel that you or someone you know has been hurt by Celebrex then you should check with an attorney. You may have a case.

Related story: Celebrex Lawsuit

Can Celebrex Class Action Lawsuits be Won?

2005-01-26T07:08:00.000-08:00

With the furor surrounding the Vioxx recall and new test results that show possible dangers of the drugs Celebrex and Bextra, many people are thinking about lawsuits. In fact, hundreds of Vioxx class action suits have already been filed against Merck. However, the cases are not the same and with regard to Celebrex and Bextra the question to be answered is - can a Celebrex class action suit be won?

Many people feel that since Vioxx, Celebrex and Bextra are all COX-2 type drugs that the cases against Pfizer (Celebrex Bextra) will be the same as those against Merck (Vioxx). However, there are two distinct differences. First, the FDA has not yet recalled Celebrex or Bextra,(an FDA recall would certainly strengthen plaintiff cases) and second, the evidence in the Vioxx cases appears to be much stronger.

Is there enough evidence to win a Celebrex Class Action Lawsuit?

Now this is not to say that there shouldn't be a recall of Celebrex and/or Bextra or that these medications didn't harm some patients. In fact there are many individuals and groups that are calling for the recall of Celebrex and Bextra. In fact, the public health group 'Public Citizen' recently petitioned the FDA to ban both drugs.

Pfizer's position on the matter of a recall is quite clear. They say that Celebrex and Bextra are not chemically the same as Vioxx. They say that results of clinical studies vary greatly and that the evidence that Celebrex and Bextra pose a danger, is not conclusive.

Complicating the picture even more is President Bush's proposed legislation that would protect the pharmaceutical giants against class action suits. Bush wants to limit the amount of awards and damages paid to plaintiffs. If this legislation becomes law, the question of winning a lawsuit against any of the drug companies will become moot. Your right to sue will be severly limited.

Todd A. Smith, President of the Association of Trial Lawyers of America said, "President Bush unashamedly advocates legislation that would protect insurance industry profits and prohibit any punishment for the makers of dangerous drugs like Vioxx."

Many Celebrex class action suits have not been filed due to all of this uncertainty. If you believe that you have been harmed by Celebrex or Bextra, bookmark this page to stay current with all the latest Celebrex news and read this article on selecting a Celebrex attorney.

Related article: Celebrex Class Action Lawsuit Filed in Pittsburgh

Are Celebrex Lawsuits Dead?

2005-01-19T09:29:00.000-08:00

For some time now, President Bush has wanted to limit the ability of tort attorneys to file class action lawsuits. Now with huge Vioxx lawsuits being filed and the threat of Celebrex lawsuits looming, Bush sees this as an opportuntiy that is too good to pass up.

When is he ever going to get a better chance to attack lawyers? He recently said, "What's happening all across this country is that lawyers are filing baseless suits . . . . . that means you're paying for junk lawsuits everytime you go to see your doctor . . ."

Bush likes to talk about the $28 billion that gets spent yearly on malpractice costs. The fact is, this represents only 2% of health care spending while pharmaceutical costs are 12-16%. So, is the president trying to lower drug costs or would he rather try to scare the American public?

The answer to that question was supplied by the Republicans in the form of a leaked memo called 'The Language of Lawsuit Abuse Reform'. It suggests that Republican lawmakers use terms like 'lawsuit epidemic' and 'crippling our health care system'. The memo also states, "Nothing scares a person more than needing emergency medical care and not being able to get it".

"President Bush doesn't let facts get in the way when it comes to his political goal of dismantling the legal system," said Joan Claybrook, president of Public Citizen. "He prefers to coddle campaign contributors, rather than protect consumers and patients," added Frank Clemente, director of Public Citizen's Congress Watch. "This is not a debate among reasonable people. It is a massive campaign of distortions carried out by the administration in league with its business allies. The fact is, the emperor has no clothes."

Do you have any doubt that Bush will side with the pharmaceutical giants against the interests of citizens that have been hurt by drugs like Vioxx, Celebrex and Bextra? The lobbyists are working overtime in Washington and it should come as no surpise that on the list of contributors to the upcoming Bush inauguration, Pfizer Inc. (Celebrex and Bextra) has made the maximum $250,000 contribution.

What could be more 'Bush' than distorting the truth and scaring the American people? You remember those 'weapons of mass destruction' don't you? The ones that still haven't been found!

Related story: Vioxx Lawsuit

New Studies May Speed Recall of Celebrex

2005-01-17T17:49:00.000-08:00

Two studies published this week in 'Circulation', the journal of the American Heart Association may speed the recall of the COX-2 painkiller Celebrex.

Dr. Garret FitzGerald of the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine and colleagues used a statistical approach called meta-analysis to combine the findings of two trials to estimate the risk of heart attack and stroke in people taking Bextra. The results of this analysis suggests Bextra tripled the combined incidence of heart attack and stroke in heart bypass surgery patients.

In the second study, the researchers studied mice genetically prone to hardening of the arteries or atherosclerosis and found that a compound called thromboxane or TxA2, produced by COX-1, accelerates atherosclerosis.

“This is of particular interest, as low-dose aspirin prevents heart attack and stroke by blocking COX-1 formation of TxA2 in blood cells called platelets,” FitzGerald said in a statement.

When a COX-2 inhibitor was added, something happened that may help explain why the COX-2 inhibitors raise the risk of a heart attack, said FitzGerald’s colleague, Karine Egan.

“Addition of the COX-2 inhibitor caused changes that, if they occurred in humans, would result in a loss of stability of the plaque, making it more likely to rupture and activate clotting, causing heart attack or stroke,” she said.

“These results would have disturbing implications for patients at high cardiovascular risk treated with aspirin and a coxib (COX-2 inhibitor),” FitzGerald said.

Are these studies conclusive? Will they force the recall of Celebrex or Bextra? Only time will tell but you can be sure these studies will be discussed at next months FDA enquiry.

FDA to Probe COX-2 Drugs (Celebrex and Bextra)

2005-01-15T10:21:00.000-08:00

The FDA announced Friday that they will hold an open meeting to discuss the painkilling drugs known as NSAIDs and in particular, the drugs Celebrex and Bextra. If you or anyone that you know has been injured by these drugs, then these meetings are very important.

It is likely that the results of these meetings will pave the way for a decision on a possible recall of Celebrex and/or Bextra. If a decision is made to recall Celebrex and Bextra, we can expect a flood of lawsuits similar to the Vioxx lawsuit situation.

Pfizer (Celebrex and Betra) officials have been asked to make presentations during the three-day hearing and will participate. They say they welcome the opportunity to be heard but haven't determined which officials will be making presentations.

Bookmark this site so that you can stay up to date with all the latest Celebrex and Bextra information from this meeting and from other sources. What follows is the press release from the FDA:

FDA Announces Dates for Public Meeting on Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced a joint public meeting of the agency's Arthritis Advisory Committee and the Drug Safety and Risk Management Advisory Committee to be held February 16, 17 and 18, 2005.

The committees will discuss the overall benefit-to-risk considerations (including cardiovascular and gastrointestinal concerns) for COX-2 selective non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and related medicines.

Members of the public are encouraged to participate in this meeting. Interested persons may present data, information or views, orally or in writing, on issues pending before the committees. Oral presentations from the public will be scheduled between 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. on February 17. Time allotted for each presentation may be limited. Those desiring to make formal oral presentations should register to speak at the meeting before February 4, 2005. No registration is required for those only planning on attending the meeting.

The three-day meeting will be held at the Hilton Washington DC North, 620 Perry Parkway, Gaithersburg, Md. The proceedings will start at 8:00 a.m. each day. Agendas and other background materials will be posted online no later than one business day before the meeting.

For more information regarding this meeting, including contact information for members of the public interested in making presentations or submitting written comments please go to: http://www.fda.gov/oc/advisory/accalendar/2005/cder12532ddd0216171805.html.

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For related stories see: Lawsuits in Jeopardy and Vioxx and Celebrex Victims to Lose Rights

Celebrex and Vioxx Victims about to Lose Rights?

2005-01-13T07:09:00.000-08:00

Over the years, two systems have emerged that act to protect the American consumer. The first is the various regulatory agencies that oversee the production and distribution of products. Among them are the Department of Labor, the Consumer Product Safety Commission and of course the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Each of these organizations has various functions, but their principle job is to protect the American consumer from unsafe situations and products.

The second system that protects the consumer is the legal system and in particular, laws known as 'torts'. These laws allow the consumer to file suit against companies that have produced dangerous products or have acted fraudulently etc. If you have been harmed by a company or their products you have the right to sue that company.

When regulatory agencies fail to do a complete job and citizens are exposed to potentially dangerous products such as Celebrex, Vioxx and Bextra there has always been the option to use the tort laws and file suit. The tort laws provided a strong monetary incentive for companies to ensure that the products that they sold were safe for consumers to use.

Bush Wants to Change the Rules

It seems that this system is about to change. President Bush feels that agencies like the FDA are 'doing a spectacular job' and that the tort laws are too strong. He wants to change them to limit your ability to file suit and he wants to limit the amount of your settlement if you succeed in court. President Bush is seeking to limit the rights of people harmed by drugs like Vioxx.

Unforunately, as is so often the case with this president, he is out of step with reality. We are living in a world of instant gratification. Companies are pushing harder and harder to get products to market - often without ensuring that they are adequately tested. Competition is intense and the push to get new products to market is heightened by shareholders that want immediate results. So, does Bush do the logical thing and give agencies like the FDA more power and money to further protect American citizens? No. He seeks to limit their ability to file suit.

FDA Failed in Vioxx and Celebrex Cases

The simple truth here is that agencies like the FDA are no longer able to do their job properly. They are grossly underfunded and in many cases quite powerless. (The FDA can't even control pharmaceutical companies advertisiing direct to the public.) When regulatory agencies such as the FDA cannot do their job, the tort laws become the only defense against corporate negligence and greed.

With Bush in power and the Republicans having received millions from the pharmaceutical companies in re-election campaign funds, it's likely that things are about to change. Do you know someone that has been hurt by the use of Vioxx? Ask if they like the proposed changes.

For a related story: Bush Protects Makers of Vioxx and Celebrex

Celebrex Class Action Lawsuit filed in Pittsburgh

2005-01-12T10:11:00.000-08:00

The Law Office of Alfred G. Yates Jr., PC has announced that a class action lawsuit was filed against Pfizer Inc. in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York.

The suit was filed on behalf of all purchasers of the common stock of Pfizer, Inc. between November 1, 2000 and December 16, 2004 and alleges that Pfizer issued "false and misleading statements and omissions concerning the safety and marketability of Pfizer's Celebrex and Bextra products."

The suit further alleges that the defendants "knew or recklessly disregarded that the undisclosed health risks posed by these drugs would limit their marketability, and that potential financial liability Pfizer faced from the harms these drugs caused posed a serious threat to the Company's financial condition."

For more information on this lawsuit contact the Law Office of Alfred G. Yates Jr., PC, 800-391-5164 E-mail: yateslaw@aol.com

Related article: Celebrex Lawsuits

Vioxx and Celebrex Conspiracy?

2005-01-11T07:57:00.000-08:00

Is it fair to say that President Bush and the makers of Vioxx (Merck) and the maker of Celebrex (Pfizer Inc.) have entered into a conspiracy to limit the liability of pharmaceutical companies and therefore infringe on the rights of American citizens? You be the judge . . .

In late September of 2004 the FDA ordered the recall of Vioxx after studies showed that it increased the risk of serious heart problems. This was followed by an avalanche of Vioxx class action lawsuits, filed on behalf of those that had been injured or killed by Vioxx use.

Shortly thereafter, another study showed that two other COX-2 type drugs, Celebrex and Bextra also caused similar heart problems. The drugs, Celebrex and Bextra were not recalled but all advertising for them was halted.

About this time President Bush arrived on the scene and began promoting a piece of legislation that would sharply limit the liability of the drug manufacturers. In fact it would cap damage awards at just $250,000. Bush was quoted as saying,

"...What's happening all across this country is that lawyers are filing baseless suits...That means you're paying for junk lawsuits every time you go to see your doctor...", but Bush's own Congressional Budget Office estimated that malpractice costs are approximately 2% of health care costs while pharmaceutical cost are between 12 and 16%.

"If President Bush wants to create more affordable and accessible health care, he should allow Americans to buy their prescription drugs through bulk purchasing programs as Canadians do and he will reduce health care costs by up to 10%," said Jamie Court, president of the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights. "The President should not be scaring the public into falsely believing they must give up their right to go court out of fear of losing their ability to go to an emergency room."

Joan Claybrook, President of Public Citizen had this to say,
"President Bush doesn't let facts get in the way when it comes to his political goal of dismantling the legal system. He prefers to coddle campaign contributors, rather than protect consumers and patients."

Frank Clemente, director of Public Citizen's Congress Watch added,
"This is not a debate among reasonable people. It is a massive campaign of distortions carried out by the administration in league with its business allies. The fact is, the emperor has no clothes."

So, here are the facts. The drug companies don't want to have to pay damages when faced with class action lawsuits concerning drugs like Vioxx, Celebrex and Bextra. President Bush is on the side of the drug companies. He wants to limit your right to file suit and he wants to limit your award should you happen to win. Just one more fact . . . . the drug companies donated millions of dollars to the Bush re-election campaign.

For a related story: Vioxx Lawsuits

Selecting a Vioxx or Celebrex Lawyer

2005-01-09T10:20:00.000-08:00

*Editors Note* This article has been written specifically for those interested in information about Vioxx lawsuits but may become applicable to the users of Celebrex and as such, has been added here.

Since the painkiller Vioxx was recalled by Merck in late September, hundreds of lawsuits have been filed on behalf of thousands of Vioxx users. Did you use Vioxx? Were you damaged in any way from using Vioxx? Do you have a case against Merck? Consulting a class action attorney is the only way to know.

The following information relates to the Vioxx recall and the selection of a Vioxx attorney but it may also apply in the case of a Celebrex or Bextra recall.

Finding a Vioxx Attorney

1) Consult a Vioxx attorney. Not all attorneys specialize in class action suits, so just any attorney will not do. Look at the ads on this page or do a 'Google' search for "Vioxx attorney".

2) If you visit a website and you don't see clearly that it is operated by a lawyer - leave. Do not give any personal information to an intermediary of any kind. A website operated by a Vioxx attorney should have complete contact information including the name, address and phone number and not just an email address.

3) If something looks 'too good to be true' - it probably is 'too good to be true'. Don't be fooled by phony websites that promise to make you a 'Vioxx millionaire'.

4) Consult with friends and relatives regarding the selection of a Vioxx attorney. They may know of an excellent attorney that specializes in class action lawsuits.

5) Be informed. Read articles on Vioxx recall and Vioxx lawsuits on this site and on sites such as Vioxx News and Celebrex and Vioxx Update.

6) The only person that can tell if you have a viable case is a Vioxx attorney. If you or someone you love has been hurt by the use of Vioxx, you owe it to yourself to consult with a Vioxx attorney.

Celebrex Lawsuits in Jeopardy?

2005-01-05T09:35:00.000-08:00

A medical malpractice bill that has passed the house but not the Senate has the support of President Bush. Bush has often praised the bill because it would stop the many frivolous lawsuits filed against doctors every year. What he doesn't often speak about are the provisions in the bill that would protect pharmaceutical companies.

Merck, the makers of Vioxx and Pfizer Inc. the maker of Celebrex would appear to be the two largest beneficiaries of this legislation. Vioxx was pulled from the market this past September and hundreds of Vioxx lawsuits have already been filed. Pfizer Inc. has not recalled Celebrex but has suspended all advertising. Several Celebrex lawsuits have been filed including one in Canada and one in Illinois.

Vioxx and Celebrex Lawsuits in Jeopardy

It is believed that both Merck and Pfizer would be shielded from punitive damages if this legislation becomes law. In fact, all pharmaceutical comapanies would be protected as long as they had met all FDA standards.

The exact extent of the protection allowed is not known however the position of the Association of Trial Lawyers of America is perfectly clear. Their president, Todd A. Smith said,

"President Bush unashamedly advocates legislation that would protect insurance industry profits and prohibit any punishment for the makers of dangerous drugs like Vioxx."

For more information see Vioxx Lawsuits

Celebrex Lawsuit Filed by Investors Against Pfizer

2005-01-04T08:14:00.000-08:00

An article on www.nylawyer.com says that the makers of Celebrex, Pfizer Inc. have been sued by investors in the company. The suit was filed in Hartford, Conn. by the law firm of Scott & Scott.

The lawsuit alleges that false statements made by the company with regard to the safety of Celebrex kept the share price artificially high. Investors were then hit hard when results of other studies showed a risk of heart attack from using Celebrex. At this time Pfizer Inc. shares dropped by $3.23 which erased approximately $25 billion of the company's market value.

This is believed to be the first lawsuit of this type related to the drug Celebrex. A large class action suit has been filed by a Canadian lawfirm and another class action suit has been filed in Illinois.

Vioxx and Celebrex Lawsuits top Medical Stories for 2004

2005-01-02T10:53:00.000-08:00

COX-2 inhibitors, painkillers Vioxx and Celebrex came under fire in 2004. Vioxx was recalled from the market amid claims that its continued use would result in heart complications. Hundreds of Vioxx lawsuits have been filed as a result. Merck, the makers of Vioxx have stated that they will defend against all Vioxx class action lawsuits.

Celebrex, another of the COX-2 type drugs has also (along with Bextra) been identified as causing the same type of heart problems as Vioxx. The makers of Celebrex, Pfizer Inc. has suspended all Celebrex advertising, but has not recalled the product. Pfizer executives site the many years of safe use of Celebrex and insist that using Celebrex is not unsafe. Like Merck (makers of Vioxx) Pfizer executives have stated that they will fight any Celebrex related lawsuits.

2004 has ended with many pain sufferers looking for alternatives to Vioxx and Celebrex. Questions are being asked about the effectiveness of the FDA and it's handling of the Vioxx, Celebrex and Bextra situations. Hundreds of Vioxx lawsuits and at this writing, at least two Celebrex class action lawsuits have been filed - but above all else, people want answers.

What will 2005 bring? It's anyones guess, but the Vioxx and Celebrex stories aren't over yet.

For more information: Celebrex Lawsuits

Celebrex Class Action Lawsuit Filed in Illinois

2004-12-30T07:37:00.001-08:00

An article written by Brian Brueggemann (bbrueggemann@bnd.com)for the Belleville News Democrat, states that the first in what is believed to be a flood of class action lawsuits against Pfizer Inc. has been filed in Illinois.

There is only one plaintiff in the case so far but attorneys are asking the court to certify the case as a class action.

The suit alleges: "Pfizer negligently marketed Celebrex despite the fact that the risk and the effect thereof on the body were so unreasonably high and severe that no reasonable pharmaceutical company, exercising due care, would have done so."

For the entire story: Celebrex Lawsuit Filed
For more information see: German Celebrex Lawsuits and Canadian Celebrex Lawsuits

UAB Halts Celebrex Testing Research

2004-12-30T07:37:00.000-08:00

Officials at the University of Alabama (Birmingham) have stopped all testing related to the drug Celebrex as a result of Celebrex maker Pfizer Inc. announcing it had found an increased risk of heart attacks among people taking large doses of the drug.

The UAB is a major medical research center. Due to the safety questions surrounding Celebrex at this time, researchers have called all Celebrex study participants and told them to stop taking the drug.

For the entire story: Celebrex Risks

Story on WPMI News - www.wpmi.com

Doctor Finds Problems with Celebrex

2004-12-28T08:37:00.000-08:00

In an article for Health Team 9, writer Elizabeth Cohen reports that Dr. Garrett Fitzgerald noticed problems with Celebrex more than five years ago.

It seems that Celebrex is effective, at least in part because it inhibits the production of a certain type of fat that is necessary for the protection of the heart. "When you shut down the fat you're exposing the cardiovascular system to danger, so it's really a double edged sword," Fitzgerald said.

Dr. Fitzgerald published his findings but received mixed reviews at best - especially from the phamaceutical companies like Pfizer (makers of Celebrex) who chose to rely on other studies that contradicted his results.

For the complete story: Celebrex Problems

Canadian Lawyers Launch Celebrex Lawsuit

2004-12-24T07:30:00.001-08:00

According to a CTV Television News report, "A Toronto law firm has launched a $1.5 billion class-action lawsuit against Pfizer on behalf of all Canadians who took Celebrex."

The statement of claim reads in part, "The plaintiff submits that the defendants were negligent in the design, testing, advertising, marketing, promoting, labeling, warnings given and sale of Celebrex".

The lawsuit also claims that Pfizer (the makers of Celebrex) should have known the drug would cause physical harm.

For the entire story: Celebrex Lawsuits

German Lawyers Plan Celebrex Lawsuit

2004-12-24T07:30:00.000-08:00

FRANKFURT (AFX) - Four German law firms are planning to take legal action against the US pharmaceutical Pfizer Inc (NYSE: PFE - news) after a study showed increased cardiovascular risks related to long-term use of its arthritis drug Celebrex, Der Spiegel magazine reported.

"Since a similar study in September made Pfizer's competitor Merck & Co pull its Vioxx drug off the market, more than a thousand concerned Vioxx-users have approached the Berlin-based law firms. Andreas Schulz, one of the lawyers involved, told the magazine that following the withdrawal of Vioxx from the market many of their clients switched treatment to Celebrex."

The law firms are also considering the inclusion of Pfizer's Bextra drug and Merck's Arcoxia drug in a lawsuit against the pharmaceuticals.

For more information contact: ragnhild.kjetland@afxnews.com
For the complete story: German Celebrex Lawsuit

Bextra, Vioxx and Celebrex Side Effects at Health Canada

2004-12-22T21:13:00.000-08:00

The following press release has been posted on the Health Canada website regarding safety considerations and side effects of Celebrex, Vioxx, Bextra and Mobicox.

OTTAWA -Health Canada wishes to inform Canadians of safety concerns regarding the group of drugs known as selective COX-2 inhibitor NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatories). These include Vioxx (rofecoxib), which has been withdrawn from the market, Celebrex (celecoxib), Bextra (valdecoxib), and Mobicox (meloxicam), which are used in the treatment of symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis and primary dysmenorrhea (menstrual pain).

Accumulating evidence indicates that the use of selective COX-2 inhibitor NSAIDs, in certain individuals, is associated with an increased risk of heart attack or stroke when compared to placebo. The risk appears to increase with the total daily dose and the length of the treatment. However, given the available data, it is not possible to identify which patients would present a higher risk of heart attack and stroke.

Health Canada has requested additional safety information from the manufacturers of Celebrex®, BextraTM, Mobicox® and generic forms of meloxicam, and will continue to review the safety profile of these drugs in order to fully consider what is presently known about the risks and benefits of these drugs when used according to their labelling.

Until further information from long-term clinical trials becomes available, one should consider that there is a strong possibility of an increased risk of cardiovascular events, including heart attack and stroke, when using selective COX-2 inhibitor NSAIDs (Celebrex®, BextraTM, Mobicox®, and all generic forms of meloxicam).

Patients should discuss the benefits and risks of treatment options with their physician, in light of the following information.

Vioxx® (rofecoxib)
Vioxx® was withdrawn on September 30, 2004, based on new safety information from a three-year, randomized double-blind clinical trial, called APPROVe, showing a possible increased risk of cardiovascular events. The APPROVe (Adenomatous Polyp Prevention on VIOXX) clinical trial was designed to assess the effectiveness of 25 mg Vioxx® in preventing the recurrence of colon polyps (abnormal tissue growth, which may or may not be cancerous). In the APPROVe trial, Vioxx® was compared to a placebo (sugar pill). Merck & Co withdrew Vioxx from the worldwide market after the study indicated an increased risk of serious cardiovascular events, such as heart attacks and strokes, after 18 months of continuous treatment.

BextraTM (valdecoxib)
On December 10, 2004, Pfizer Inc. released new information about cardiovascular risks associated with BextraTM. In a study conducted by Pfizer, which included over 1,500 patients treated for acute pain after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), an increased risk of cardiovascular events was observed in patients treated with BextraTM compared to placebo. These cardiovascular events included myocardial infarction (heart attack), cerebrovascular accident (stroke), deep vein thrombosis (blood clots in the leg), and pulmonary embolism (blood clot in the lung). The risk of these effects was observed to be greater with the intravenous form of the drug (approximately two percent of patients had such an adverse event), in comparison with the oral form of the drug (approximately 1 percent of patients), immediately following CABG surgery. About 0.5 percent of patients taking the placebo had an adverse cardiovascular event.

Celebrex® (celecoxib)
On December 17, 2004, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) in the United States announced that it had stopped a three-year Celebrex® study called Adenoma Prevention with Celecoxib (APC) due to an interim analysis showing a statistically significant increase in the risk of heart attack, stroke and cardiovascular death. Health Canada has withdrawn market authorization for the use of Celebrex® for the prevention of recurrence of Familial Adenomatous Polyposis, which is predictive of colorectal cancer. Celebrex® should not be taken for the prevention of recurrence of Familial Adenomatous Polyposis and patients should discuss alternative therapeutic options with their doctors.

Celebrex Safety

2004-12-22T10:10:00.001-08:00

The executives at Pfizer's head offices will be breathing a little easier today with the results of a recent Alzheimer's Disease prevention study.

As reported at medicalnewstoday.com, "The National Institutes of Health has reported in an Alzheimer's Disease prevention study that there was no increased cardiovascular risk seen in elderly patients taking Celebrex (400 mg daily) for up to three years. These results are consistent with the large body of Celebrex scientific evidence that has accumulated over 10 years in more than 40,000 patients."

The emergence of well documented studies such as this make launching a successful Celebrex lawsuit very difficult. However, in other news, the same study reported "an increased cardiovascular risk among patients taking Aleve (naproxen), an over-the-counter pain reliever."

For the complete story: Celebrex Safety

Also see: Celebrex Information

Flood of Celebrex Lawsuits?

2004-12-22T10:10:00.000-08:00

With recent clinical trial information released and a halt to Celebrex advertising can a flood of Celebrex lawsuits be far behind? In a New York Times article entitled 'The Fallout From Celebrex', writer Barnaby J. Feder asks that question.

Most attorneys do not feel that the case against Pfizer will be as strong as the one against Merck. (re. Vioxx lawsuits) There have been not major clinical studies suggesting that Celebrex poses as great a risk as Vioxx. Also, no documents have emerged thus far suggesting that Pfizer knew of any other potential problems with Celebrex.

Estimates on the number of Celebrex lawsuits filed vary. Pfizer admits to 24 Celebrex lawsuits filed at this time.

For the entire story: Celebrex Lawsuits

US FDA asks Pfizer to Suspend Celebrex Advertising

2004-12-22T10:01:00.000-08:00

The US FDA asked Pfizer, Inc. to voluntarily suspend DTC advertising on Celebrex during the time the Agency is obtaining and evaluating the new and conflicting scientific data on adverse events associated with the drug. FDA also requested the company change the information provided to physicians to reflect the recommendations FDA made encouraging physicians to consider alternative therapies as they evaluate their individual patient needs.

Pfizer agreed to the broad suspension of its Celebrex promotion and to craft appropriate detailing to physicians that reflects the uncertainty of scientific data currently available.

For more Celebrex Information: Celebrex Advertising

This story from www.pharmabiz.com

"FDA doing Spectacular Job"

2004-12-20T07:30:00.000-08:00

During an appearance on ABC's "This Week", President Bush's chief of staff, Andrew Card, said, "I don't know that we need a commission. I would like the FDA to continue to do the job they do."

"I support the FDA. They do a spectacular job. When you think about all of the new technologies and the new drugs that are coming into the marketplace, and they have to review them all to make sure that when they come into the marketplace, they live up to the expectation of improving health care."

However, the top Democrat on the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee disagreed. In a statement referring to the FDA, Sen. Edward Kennedy of Massachusetts said, "on protecting us from harmful prescription drugs is a catastrophic failure."

We need an FDA that looks out for the health of patients and not just the health of the pharmaceutical industry. Lives are at stake, and the president should put an FDA leadership team in place right away, with no ties to the industry it regulates, and that's committed to reform."

For more on this story: Celebrex Information

Pfizer Won't Recall Celebrex

2004-12-19T10:25:00.000-08:00

During an appearance Sunday on ABC's "This Week." Pfizer Chief Executive Hank McKinnell said that doctors should be made aware of the health risks in prescribing Celebrex to their patients. He further stated that the company does not plan to recall Celebrex.

"We're leaving Celebrex on the market because it is an appropriate option for many, many patients," McKinnell said on "Physicians do need to be fully advised of the risks and particularly this new information."

On the same program, Dr. David Graham, associate director for science in the FDA's Office of Drug Safety, was critical of the agency for failing to protect the public from dangerous drugs.

"The FDA, I believe, is more concerned with getting drugs on to the market than it is in getting safe drugs on to the market," Graham said.

In a press release Friday, Pfizer said Celebrex more than doubled the risk of heart attack in a large cancer-prevention trial.

For more information: Celebrex Not Recalled

Grassley Calls for FDA Review in Wake of Celebrex Information

2004-12-19T09:50:00.000-08:00

"It seems the time has come for a comprehensive review of drug safety and of how federal government agencies oversee drug research and approve, license and regulate drugs," said Senator Chuck Grassley, chair of the Senate finance committee, which oversees the FDA.

"Today, Pfizer released information about an increased risk of heart attack for its drug Celebrex, and Eli Lilly issued a new warning about liver problems with the drug Strattera. The last year revealed serious problems involving children and anti-depressants, painkillers like Vioxx, Bextra and Celebrex, the flu vaccine, and the AIDS (news - web sites) drug nevirapine," Grassley said Friday.

"At this point, no one can say with confidence whether the worst drug safety problems are behind us or ahead of us."

Pfizer, the makers of Celebrex, said Friday that a trial had found a sharp rise in heart attacks for patients using Celebrex. Pfizer said that it would not immediately withdraw the treatment and stated that results of the study had been forwarded to the FDA.

According to the National Cancer Institute, the study of Celebrex showed patients taking 400mg and 800mg of Celebrex daily had an approximately 2.5-fold increased risk of major cardiovascular problem compared to patients on a placebo.

For more on this story see: Grassley Wants FDA Review

Celebrex the Next Vioxx?

2004-12-18T20:43:00.000-08:00

Marc Kaufman, writing for the Washington Post reports that a "clinical trial of the blockbuster arthritis drug Celebrex was shut down yesterday after researchers found an increase in the risk of serious heart disease and strokes in those taking the drug, the same side effects that caused the related painkiller Vioxx to be taken off the market this fall."

Lester Crawford, acting commissioner of the FDA says the FDA has "great concerns about this product and this class of products" -- the COX-2 inhibitors that tens of millions of Americans have taken. "We don't have a decision yet on the fate of this product, but we're leaving all regulatory options open," Crawford said.

Ernest Hawk, chief of gastrointestinal research for the NCI, said a team of cardiovascular specialists along with the safety monitoring board of the trial, found that patients on 400 milligrams of Celebrex were 2.5 times as likely to have a heart attack or stroke as the group taking a placebo. Patients taking 800 milligrams of Celebrex a day, faces a risk of serious cardiovascular events that was 3.4 times as great.

For the entire story: Celebrex Recall

Celebrex as Dangerous as Vioxx?

2004-12-18T18:39:00.000-08:00

In an article entitled "Celebrex Joins Vioxx as Heart Risk", for AP, writer Theresa Agovino states that,

"The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is advising doctors to consider alternatives to pain reliever Celebrex in the wake of a study that showed it increased the risk of heart attack and strokes at high doses."

Acting FDA Commissioner Lester Crawford said Friday. "We do have great concern about this product (Celebrex) and the class of products."

Shares of Pfizer, dropped by $3.23, and closed at $25.75 on the New York Stock Exchange. Pfizer Inc. said Friday that Celebrex will be left on the market.

For the complete story: Celebrex News

New York Law Firm files Celebrex Lawsuit

2004-12-18T17:37:00.000-08:00

The New York law firm, Wolf Haldenstein Adler Freeman & Herz LLP filed a class action lawsuit today against Pfizer,Inc. The lawsuit follows the December 17, 2004, Pfizer press release announcing that the Company has been advised of an increased risk of heart problems with patients taking the painkiller Celebrex.

The Celebrex lawsuit is filed on belalf of all persons that purchased common shares of Pfizer between November 1, 2000 and December 16, 2004. A copy of the complaint filed in this action is available from the Court, or can be viewed on the Wolf Haldenstein Adler Freeman & Herz LLP website at http://www.whafh.com/.

For more information see Celebrex Lawsuit

Celebrex may not be Safe

2004-12-18T16:53:00.000-08:00

Information obtained from the Pfizer.com web site shows that taking Celebrex in dosages of 400mg to 800mg daily can increase the risk of heart complications.

"In the Adenoma Prevention with Celecoxib (APC) trial, patients taking 400mg and 800mg of Celebrex daily had an approximately 2.5 fold increase in their risk of experiencing a major fatal or non-fatal cardiovascular event compared to those patients taking placebo, according to the National Cancer Institute (NCI). Based on these statistically significant findings, the sponsor of the trial, the NCI, has suspended the dosing of Celebrex in the study."

“These clinical trial results are new. The cardiovascular findings in one of the studies (APC) are unexpected and not consistent with the reported findings in the second study (PreSAP). Pfizer is taking immediate steps to fully understand the results and rapidly communicate new information to regulators, physicians and patients around the world,” said Hank McKinnell, Pfizer chairman and chief executive officer.

For the entire story: Celebrex Dangers