Canada orders Pfeizer's Bextra withdrawn

OTTAWA - Canadian health officials Thursday called on pharmaceutical giant Pfizer withdraw the arthritis drug Bextra from the market due to potential risks, a move that came after US health officials made a similar request.
Health Canada asked Pfizer "to submit evidence to establish the safety of this drug product under the conditions of use for which it is recommended," the national health authority said in a statement.
The officials also asked Pfizer to provide "a risk/benefit analysis indicating the product`s unique therapeutic advantage."
"Health Canada`s decision is based on an ongoing review of information with regard to serious, potentially life-threatening skin reactions," the statement read.
In the United States, Pfizer agreed to withdraw Bextra (valdecoxib) "because the overall risk-versus-benefit profile for the drug is unfavorable," the US Food and Drug Administration said in a statement.

04/07/2005 19:40 GMT