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Gold/Mining/Energy : Nuvo Research Inc -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Tom Johnson who wrote (13705)	10/6/2004 10:22:39 PM
From: russet	Respond to of 14101

Health Canada approves Pfizer's Lipitor(R) to lower risk of heart attacks KIRKLAND, QC, Oct. 6 /CNW/ - Pfizer Canada Inc. said today that Health Canada has approved its cholesterol-lowering therapy Lipitor(R) (atorvastatin calcium) for the prevention of cardiovascular disease by reducing heart attack risk in adult hypertensive patients with normal to mildly elevated cholesterol levels, and who have three additional cardiovascular risk factors. The decision was based on the findings of the landmark ASCOT trial (Anglo-Scandinavian Cardiac Outcomes Trial), which found that the lowest dose of Lipitor (10 mg) reduced the relative risk of heart attack by 36 per cent compared to placebo. Because these significant benefits were seen so early, the trial was ended nearly two years ahead of schedule. "No other lipid-lowering agent has shown an effect as dramatic as Lipitor in terms of reducing cardiovascular disease and in offering this significant health benefit as fast as Lipitor," said Dr. Bernard Prigent, Vice President & Medical Director, Pfizer Canada. "Lipitor clearly is different in its early ability to reduce heart attacks among a very broad population of patients, regardless of cholesterol levels." With starting doses of 10 mg, 20 mg or 40 mg, 98 per cent of patients taking Lipitor reach their target LDL goal level. Current guidelines issued by the Canadian Working Group on hypercholesterolemia and dyslipidemias encourage physicians to aggressively treat patients with high cholesterol, particularly those with coronary heart disease or other major risk factors such as diabetes. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in Canada, and approximately half of all Canadians have elevated cholesterol, a leading risk factor for heart attacks. Every year, more than 70,000 Canadians suffer heart attacks. High blood pressure and elevated cholesterol are the leading risk factors for heart disease but other factors compound the risk, including family history of heart disease, age (over 40 for men and over 50 for women), smoking, diabetes, obesity and lack of exercise. Direct (medical costs) and indirect (lost productivity) costs related to coronary heart disease are expected to exceed $24.2 billion this year. Lipitor is the leading cholesterol-lowering therapy in the world with more than 76 million patient years of experience. Since the introduction of Lipitor seven years ago, its safety and effectiveness have been supported through the Atorvastatin Landmark Program(TM), an extensive clinical program with more than 400 ongoing and completed trials involving more than 80,000 patients. Lipitor is a prescription drug indicated for use with lifestyle changes, including diet, to help lower cholesterol and other fats in the blood (such as triglycerides). The adverse events observed in ASCOT were consistent with those described in current Lipitor labelling. ABOUT PFIZER CANADA INC. Pfizer Canada is the Canadian operation of Pfizer Inc., the world's leading research-based pharmaceutical company. Pfizer discovers and develops innovative prescription medicines for both humans and animals. As a proud member of IMAGINE, Canada's national program to promote corporate giving, volunteering and community support, Pfizer Canada provides financial support to over 1,000 not-for-profit organization across the country. Pfizer Canada employs 2,100 people and is headquartered in Kirkland, Quebec.