(Dow Jones Newswire) — Pfizer Inc. (PFE) withdrew hypertension drug Thelin from Europe and other regions following the reports of at least three deaths from liver injuries in users of the drug.
Pfizer said one death occurred in the U.K. last year, and two during 2010–one in the Ukraine and one in India.
The New York drug maker said it’s also halting all clinical trials of the drug world-wide. It is the latest in a series of research and product setbacks for Pfizer, which is struggling to offset a looming wave of drug patent expirations that will expose the company to sales-eroding generic competition.
The product withdrawal also ratchets up pressure on Pfizer’s brand new chief executive, Ian Read, who took the helm after Jeffrey Kindler unexpectedly retired earlier this week.
Pfizer shares were recently up 9 cents to $16.85.
The direct impact of the withdrawal is relatively small; sales of the drug were only $44.4 million for the first nine months of 2010, a Pfizer spokesman said, a fraction of total company sales.
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Wow a hypertension drug that actually demonstrates the harm it does in short order. The rest of the toxic drugs they give us for high blood presure take a lot longer to kill us.
I have to agree completely. In only a few months of taking Triamterene HCTZ, along with some others, and complaining about being extremely dehydrated, I developed uncontrollable sugar levels and diabetes.Stopped immediately, but no change now. I am unable to find any info regarding the issue.
Watch that stuff.
I guess they will all step up their gross animal experimentations which actually tell us nothing (other than how cruel we are to allow them) until used on humans.
AMEN, Anneh!! It’s hard to comprehend the cruelty drug companies inflict on helpless animals; and not of it is necessary!!
Wish it was reversed and those involved in the torture had the same test done to them
I am not supporting pharmaceutical companies but one problem is also that people want cheap drugs and will buy the much cheaper generic drugs if they are given the choice. The brand name company does all the expensive research but then has to get the drugs onto the market as quickly as possible due to the patent expiration. This may be the reason that ‘long-term’ trials are often only one to two years, by no means what I would call ‘long term’.
Some people do not have a choice anymore and will need medication. The explosion of generic drug manufacturers and the demand for cheap drugs has exposed them to the risk where long-term side effects have not been able to be fully appreciated.
I’m sotry I guess I missed the mention of the pharmaceutical company you worked for; either you work for one, someone in your family does, or you have never wanted for anything, nor had to stand on line in a clinic, or not been able to afford care. Fortunately I have health care, also reduced cost on my medication (only one), but there are others not as fortunate. The pharmatceutical companies have some of the largest profits ever; and US citizens pay more for Rx than any other country, do you realize that, and no we are not no 1 in healthcare. Go back to the drawing board.
My aplolgies, Carol Davis. I am concerned about the short duration of some, or most, trials. Trials and testing of drugs is very expensive. I guess lack of extensive testing may also be the reason herbal drug manufacturers come under fire every now and then. I have to agree with your comment about pharmaceutical companies’ profits. I don’t live in the US and I don’t understand why so many people in the US are against a universal health care system. We indeed have a much better health care system with many of the most commonly prescribed drugs on the pharmaceutical benefit scheme. Pensioners and people receiving Government benefits have a health care card and once a certain limit of expense (per year) on medication is reached they pay only a very small amount. Eveybody has the right to be treated in a public hospital. Our health care system is by no means perfect, and yes, it is expensive, but the thought of “not being able to afford care” is just about unheard of here. I have a friend on a full Government pension who had surgery for cancer in a public hospital and the issue of not being able to have chemo, medications or any other treatment has never come up. She has been well looked after in the public health system and that’s the way it ought to be. I have heard of people in the US going bankrupt because of medical bills or, as you say, not being able to afford care at all, or even being booted out of hospitals in their night gown. I have great difficulties understanding that this could happen in a civilized country.
I did not mean to offend anybody. Please accept my aplolgies.
I am originally from England and know for a fact how bad government health care can be, depends which area you are in apparently. My mother lived in a working class area where there were not Dr appointments, she had to wait for hours along with dozens of other people to get to see the local doctor, no choice in who she could see. She got poor care. My brother just died of terminal sedation (otherwise known as a deliberate overdose of morphine I assume)because he had inoperable cancer and dementia and was was in his 80’s, apparently that means your demise. Also he was on a ward with many other people, no access to a phone (nurses said they were too busy to take a phone to him when I tried 3 times to reach him). Personally I am glad to have the care I can get here through paying for insurance plus btw those that cannot afford insurance are eligible for Medicaid here in USA. Yes the system needs overhauling but overall its good.
Who is No.1? Why do you think so? In most countries where drug prices are lower, taxes subsidize the actual price. We do the same in the US when we subsidize (protect)the price of sugar. But that’s a whole different thread.
Interesting points of view!
Yes, drug discovery and validation is a very expensive affair. I do not think that the pharma industry is a bunch of gangsters. You have to agree to the costs. Drugs cost a fraction of the international rates in India, but Indian problems are not solved because no one invests the amounts. So we have problems that the West has not seen for a generation.
Also a collateral benefit is increased information and other scientific advancements which a often not patentable. So overall, it is fine. Do not grudge the costs of medicines- just see that they a used judiciously.
Lastly, a good lifestyle is not just good health, good mind but also good economics.