WASHINGTON, Feb 18 (AFP) - A special panel of the US Food and Drug Administration voted Friday to allow Pfizer's pain killer Celebrex to remain on the market, despite a finding that it can cause heart problems in some patients.
The decision came from a joint meeting of the agency's Arthritis Advisory Committee and the Drug Safety and Risk Management Advisory Committee, which was reviewing the safety of certain drugs in light of reports linking them to cardiovascular risks.
The 30-member FDA panel approved Celebrex for public use, with only one dissent, shortly after acknowledging in a unanimous vote that the drug could cause heart risk.
The decision came amid speculation that Merck's rival drug Vioxx -- withdrawn last year after studies linked it to risk of heart problems -- may make a comeback.
While the advisory panel's vote is not a final decision by the FDA, the agency generally always heeds the recommendations of its expert panels.
Vioxx, Celebrex and another Pfizer drug, Bextra, have all come under fire recently for being linked to a higher incidence of cardiac problems in some patients.
Merck pulled Vioxx from the market in late September after a clinical study linked long-term use to an increased rate of heart attack and stroke. The company is currently facing over 600 lawsuits over Vioxx, ranging from personal injury suits to an investigation by the Department of Justice.
Approval by the FDA for Vioxx to remain on the market could greatly bolster Merck's case that it was not negligent in keeping the drug on the market for as long as it did, industry experts have said.
The committee was scheduled to vote on whether to allow Bextra and Vioxx to stay on the market later Friday.
Merck has maintained that it believes Vioxx only causes problems after being taken for at least 18 months or in very high doses. It also asserts that the drug is of value to many pain sufferers as it does not cause the gastrointestinal bleeding associated with other non-steroidal painkillers.
02/18/2005 19:16 GMT - AFP