Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Strategies & Market Trends : Value Investing -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: CrazyPete who wrote (22143)	9/24/2005 4:11:07 PM
From: schzammm	Respond to of 78634

I had a ton on PFE several months ago but blew it all out on a small advance due to all the potential problems. Great company but questionable stock. I would rather pay more for a company like NVS Novartis without the baggage. Picked up some NVS after the article Fallope posted yesterday, thanks for the heads up. Peace

To: CrazyPete who wrote (22143)	9/24/2005 4:44:06 PM
From: gcrispin	Respond to of 78634

You are correct. Focusing on Celebrex, I forgot about Bextra. Even though there is a risk of litigation, I don't think it will be in the range of what Merck will face. But obviously that is for the courts to decide. Below is an excerpt concerning Bextra. The memo states emphatically--and up-front--that Vioxx, Bextra and Celebrex all appear to be linked to an increased risk of heart attack and stroke. However, bucking the arguments made by some experts at the advisory panel that considered the risks of these drugs, Jenkins and Seligman argue that there is no way to tell which of the drugs has the biggest risk. The data are murky, and all OTC painkillers may pose some heart risk, although naproxen--the active ingredient in Bayer's (nyse: BAY - news - people ) Aleve--is at least easier on the heart than these three drugs. Bextra, then, wasn't pulled for its heart risk. It was pulled because it also has a serious risk of potentially lethal skin reactions. The memo states that in its relatively short time on the market, there have been seven reports of deaths as a result of skin reactions to Bextra. These reactions seem to be reported more often than for other drugs, the FDA officials wrote. The addition of the cardiovascular risk to the skin side effects convinced the FDA to ask Pfizer to pull the drug. The authors advised that if Pfizer did not agree, formal withdrawal proceedings be started.