| The first Celebrex class action suit to be | | | | has been stopped. |
| filed is believed to be the one submitted in | | | | |
| Illinois, in December 2004. That same month, | | | | It is a similar argument that has been used |
| Pfizer announced that a recently performed | | | | in keeping Celebrex on the market - that the |
| clinical trial revealed that those taking | | | | side effects encountered by some should not |
| Celebrex were at increased risk - over two | | | | deny others the benefits that the drug has to |
| times that incurred by taking a placebo - of | | | | offer. Used commonly as an anti-inflammatory |
| experiencing a major cardiovascular episode. | | | | and painkiller for conditions such as |
| It would seem that the Illinois class action | | | | arthritis, it is understandable that this |
| suit will be only the first of many. And yet | | | | would be an attractive drug to many. But |
| Celebrex remains on the market. | | | | surely not when the side effect price is so |
| | | | high. |
| Most drugs that we take are liable to have a | | | | |
| wide range of potential side effects, most of | | | | Rigorous clinical trials are performed on |
| which the majority of patients will never | | | | drugs before they reach the marketplace, but |
| experience. For liability purposes, | | | | even these cannot predict all the various |
| pharmaceutical companies print all | | | | implications of using a drug in longevity. |
| conceivable side effects on their | | | | But it seems that there are too many highly |
| informational literature, and reading these | | | | effective drugs available today that cause |
| before taking a medication can be a | | | | life threatening side effects - Celebrex is |
| nerve-wracking affair. But even side effects | | | | only one of these. Patients surely must be |
| that have been encountered by minimal numbers | | | | asking themselves whether pharmaceutical |
| of people during clinical trials can find | | | | companies are rushing apparently effective |
| their way on to this literature, and while | | | | drugs to the marketplace without ensuring |
| you may be one of the unlucky ones whose | | | | that they are completely safe for long-term |
| painkiller causes nausea, in most of these | | | | use. Patients are responding in the only way |
| cases, the potential benefits far outweigh | | | | that can really touch these companies, in |
| the unlikely event of developing a minor side | | | | this case Pfizer: by filing Celebrex class |
| effect that will cease once the medication | | | | action suits. |