Vioxx, Celebrex or Neither?
The debate has been raging for a while now. But it's no longer whether Vioxx, Celebrex or any other COX-2 inhibitior is safe or dangerous. The debate is focused on whether Merck did the right thing, and therefore, whether Pfizer is doing what's right.
Here's the recap. Vioxx is shown to increase risk of heart attacks, strokes and bad stuff like that, even in people who don't seem to be at risk. Merck, aware of the liability associated with such a discovery, pulls the drug from the market. While Pfizer initially said the there was no evidence at all for any such risk associated with Celebrex, with more data available, they seem to be admitting that there is some risk after all, althought not as much as with Vioxx. Lost by some is that another medicine of this type, Bextra, also made by Pfizer, probably does increase risks as much as Vioxx.
Nonetheless, Pfizer took a different approach. They chose not to remove the drug from the market, even though their sales will drop dramatically and they will face some serious liability when court cases start to move ahead.
I "know" who did the right thing. And it isn't Merck.
Thousands of people suffer from horrible pain, some so affected that they can't get out of their house, can't sleep, can't sit. For these people affected by arthritis and chronic pain syndromes, COX-2 inhibitors represent their only chance to feel better and have the ability to function at a level that gets close to normal. For such people, the data from all of these studies allows a decision to be made about the relative risks and benefits of taking Vioxx, Celebrex or Bextra. For many, it's an easy decision. They'd rather feel less pain and enjoy a bit of life (by taking the medicines) even if it means that they may live a year or two less.
Why did Merck do what they did? To be able to project more accurately their quarterly earnings. And Pfizer? While I am sure that they are thinking similarly, I interpret their commitment to continue to sell Celebrex as an indication that they are committed to help people with pain, even at the risk of feeling some significant financial pain themselves.
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