Vioxx: US drug regulator deems Cox-2s unnecessary
18/02/2005
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Raymond, HertfordshireA leading US drug regulator has deemed the Cox-2 range of drugs unnecessary, while UK regulators have announced much stricter regulation over prescription of the drugs.
This follows an announcement by the US earlier this week that it was to strengthen its drugs regulation by creating an independent drug safety oversight board.
The plans came after fears were alerted over the safety of the range of drugs known as Cox-2 inhibitors. Following the alert, Vioxx, one of the drugs, used to treat arthritis, was removed from the market in September 2004.
The regulator has been criticised in recent months for failing to act on evidence suggesting that the drug may have had links to increased risk of heart attack and stroke.
Recent research and trials have found that there is an increased risk associated with the Cox-2 range of drugs, including Vioxx.
In a series of new papers, published this week in the New England Journal of Medicine, the link between Cox-2 inhibitors: comprising Vioxx; Celebrex; and rofecoxib, and cardiovascular problems was re-iterated.
The papers raise fresh concerns for patients prescribed the drugs, particularly those who are already at high risk of heart attack or stroke.
Commenting in a BBC news report, a spokesperson for the Arthritis Research Campaign called for clearer guidelines to be set out by the drugs regulators.
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