Vioxx Approved under Dems

FDA Talk Paper ^ | Nov 13, 2004 | Bookworm2211

[bookworm100]

May 21, 1999: FDA has approved Vioxx (rofecoxib), a new drug for treatment of osteoarthritis, menstrual pain and for the management of acute pain in adults.

[bookworm100]

There is much talk about how bad it is that no one pulled the plug on Vioxx until 2004. No one points out that many of the people complaining were around when it was approved.

[Do not dub me shapka broham]

Does this mean that I can now-truthfully-accuse the Democrats of promoting genocide?

(He said gleefully.)

[polygirl]

As far as I'm concerned Vioxx was a miracle drug - the morning I woke up to the news it was being removed from the market I said a very bad word indeed. Except for this unfortuate, recently discovered problem, it was an excellent, excellent medication that provided a better quality of life for all who took it - to say that it mattered under whose watch it was approved is ridiculous.

Vioxx kept me moving despite severe arthritis in my lower back for several years. I respect its makers for withdrawing it but hope they find a safer replacement really soon. So far nothing else works as well.

Polygirl

[Do not dub me shapka broham]

I apologize for my sarcasm.

I realize that there are probably going to be a lot of people who'll be adversely affected by the decision to remove this specific medication from the market.

In fact, that's why-in contrast to some other conservatives-I have a lot of sympathy for the difficult choices faced by FDA commissioners.

They have to straddle a fine line, risking the ire of people who claim they're being dilatory and not approving life-saving drugs-which, to a certain extent, is true-while also attempting to placate an irrationally excitable public, who'll be the first to scapegoat them if a particular drug has adverse health consequences.

[bookworm100]

If you look at

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x985180

you find:

"Well, I won't be trying out any newly approved drugs for awhile -- at least until there's a Dem in the White House."

There seems to be a view that the Dems are safer...NOT

[polygirl]

Apology accepted, oh gracious one. :)

Polygirl

[newzjunkey]

How about Phen-Fen... yanked in 1997? Another "oops" by the Clinton FDA.