Until then, we urge caution in prescribing these agents to patients at risk for cardiovascular morbidity.<i/>
I suppose Peter I was a bit harsh..in response to his harsh statements..he knew this would get picked up by every class action suit lawyer, analyst, news wire, patients, physicians..this is where I see a distinction..from his written piece, it seemed he knew from even a mechanistic perspective that this was a drug with which to be cautious re: the heart..it's really my opinion that if ONE is in possession of material information that ONE in his heart of hearts(excuse pun..he's a cardiologist) feels is detrimental to public health, it's incumbent on ONE to hit the mainstream media(certainly, does not make you popular with funding sources, your job..but imo, that's what couragious and principled medical behavior is about... Topol will now profit from the consulations, expert witness requests, interviews, lectures,etc, etc...imo, there was much self-interest and less public health interest in his editorial today..
He also stressed: MRK's, other coxib companies' and the FDA's culpability in mass direct marketing of these agents to the public..well..he's got those resources too..and for him to NOW make a grand public pronouncement of "I told you so" is just not right..he as well as I know that what is written in academic(if one can really call JAMA one<g>) journals gets cherry picked by the media, and also by physicians in general(as in how much of the practicing physician population reads these journals on a regular basis)..not counting major city teaching hospital affiliated folk<g>...
<<JAMA article back in 2001 concluded as follows>>
It was after this that the FDA in 2002 changed the labeling to include issues with cardiac events
I suppose my 'gripe' is millions of people around the world have taken Vioxx and are taking coxibs, my nephews' uncle(43y.o. athletic, took coxibs, died of a sudden heart attack on Christmas Eve leaving behind his wife and 4 kids) Topol's epistle today is too little too late for them and thousands of possible other people...we all know of physicians/scientists who have taken the stand against the tide of herd mentality, lost their jobs, reputations..but they stood for what they felt to be true..Topol and others let down the very people they swore to help/protect..and are now profiting/innoculating themselves from them..imho..
Truly end of public rant
Zeta |
