Posted on 02/26/2005 1:30:00 AM PST by psipsistar
Fri Feb 25, 4:03 PM ET
A study by the Center for Science in the Public Interest indicates that 10 of the 32 panel members had ties to either Pfizer Inc. or Merck & Co., ranging from consulting fees and speaking honoraria to research support.
The FDA issued a statement saying it screened members of the panel for conflicts of interest. "This transparent process requires the agency to carefully weigh any potential financial interest with the need for essential scientific expertise in order to protect and advance the public health," the agency said.
After three days of hearings on the drugs, known as Cox-2 inhibitors, the panel voted 31-1 to keep Pfizer's Celebrex on the market, 17-13 with 2 abstentions in favor of Pfizer's Bextra and 17-15 that Merck's Vioxx should be allowed back on sale.
Merck pulled Vioxx from the market Sept. 30 after heart problems were reported in some users. Similar questions were later raised about the other two drugs, prompting the FDA to call the advisory panel to look into the matter.
Since drug companies fund many studies it is not unusual for researchers to have ties to manufacturers, though some have questioned the practice.
The transcript, including the votes by the individual members of the panel, has not yet been posted by the FDA. However, a copy obtained by The Associated Press indicated that the 10 panel members in question voted 10-0 in favor of keeping Celebrex and Bextra available and 9-1 in favor of allowing Vioxx to be brought back onto the market.
Without those ballots the vote would have been 13-7 in favor of withdrawing Bextra and 14-8 to keep Vioxx off sale.
The industry ties of the panel members were first reported Friday by The New York Times.
My grandmother had alzheimer's like symptoms before she died. I think now it was because of her cholesterol medication.
The FDA is in need of a serious house cleaning.
The Drug Companies have serious influence with our politicians as well. Their lobby is VERY powerful. Why do you think Prescription Drug Benefits were passed? Corporate welfare is the answer. It's also why the politicians keep overturning our votes in support of medical marijuana. The Drug Companies want you buying their harmful, worthless and expensive pain meds rather than a cheap reasonably harmless street drug that actually works.
Taxes. We pay the corporate welfare, not the government. That program is costing us billions and it will be billions in perpetuity.
Conservatives disagree with taxes and big government as well as entitlements. Period. That's the time honored Conservative stance.
Liberals love taxes and entitlements.
Taxes. We pay the corporate welfare, not the government. That program is costing us billions and it will be billions in perpetuity.
Conservatives disagree with taxes and big government as well as entitlements. Period. That's the time honored Conservative stance.
Liberals love taxes and entitlements.
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