SPECIFIC PRODUCTS
UK PFIZER BEXTRA CLAIMS
Valdecoxib which is marketed in the UK as Pfizer Bextra is a COX-2 inhibitor and is in the same family of drugs as Merck Vioxx which was withdrawn in September 2004. In October 2004 Pfizer the manufacturer announced that clinical trials indicated that this drug increased the risk of stroke and heart attack.
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"To protect the safety of the public, we write to recommend that clinicians stop prescribing valdecoxib, except in extraordinary circumstances," -- December 23, 2004 New England Journal of Medicine.
On November 9, 2004 at the American Heart Association meeting in New Orleans it was announced the incidence of heart attacks and strokes among patients given this painkiller was double that of patients receiving a placebo. Dr. Garret A. FitzGerald, a cardiologist and pharmacologist at the University of Pennsylvania, said in an interview after presenting the data. "This is a time bomb waiting to go off."
Concerns have also been raised of allergic reactions and it has been suggested that this drug could potentially be one of the causes of Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS), toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), and erythema multiforme (EM)
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced new information on side effects associated with the use of Pfizer Bextra which has been incorporated into the box labelling :-
- Patients in the USA taking this drug have reported potentially fatal skin reactions which are most likely to occur in the first 2 weeks of treatment. The improved labelling states that the medication should be discontinued at the first appearance of skin rash, sores inside of the mouth or any other sign of allergic reactions. This drug contains sulphur, and patients with a history of allergic reactions to sulphur may be at a greater risk of skin reactions. There have been 4 deaths and 36 hospitalisations and the rate of these serious side effects appears to be greater than for other COX-2 inhibitors.
- The new labelling also warns of observed cardiovascular events included thromboembolic events such as myocardial infarction (heart attack), cerebrovascular accident (stroke), deep vein thrombosis (blood clots in the leg), and pulmonary embolism (blood clot in the lung).
Financial settlement claims for injuries caused by any drug can be taken either on an individual basis or by the use of a procedural method known as a "multi party action" which allows a number of people with the same injury caused by the same product to sue as a group. Pfizer Bextra may in due course become the subject of a group litigation order. Under the Consumer Protection Act 1987 it is no longer necessary to prove that the manufacturer of a product is at fault and a financial settlement must be paid for personal injury even when there is no evidence of negligence.
Time limits do apply and if you have suffered a heart attack, a stroke or a skin problem or if a member of your family has died as a result of heart problems whilst taking this drug you need urgent advice on how to take matters forward and how to protect your legal position. Our solicitors are personal injury specialists and offer free legal advice on financial settlements using the no win no fee scheme. If you would like to speak to an expert just phone us on freephone 0800 849 3333 or complete and send the contact form and we will call you as soon as possible.
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