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Biotech / Medical : PFE (Pfizer) How high will it go? -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: zurdo who wrote (2674)	5/21/1998 7:19:00 PM
From: Anthony Wong	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 9523

Pfizer Warns Doctors on Using Viagra With Nitrates (Update5) (Adds closing stock price in 5th paragraph, total number of prescriptions in 3rd.) New York, May 21 (Bloomberg) -- Pfizer Inc. said it is warning paramedics and emergency room physicians not to treat patients on its impotence pill Viagra with nitroglycerin, sending its shares down as much as 3.3 percent. Viagra's label already contains a warning that it shouldn't be used by those taking organic nitrates such as nitroglycerin, primarily used to treat angina, or chest pain due to clogged arteries. In a statement today, the drugmaker cautioned that using them together could cause a sudden drop in blood pressure. Viagra, which is easier to use than other impotence remedies on the market, became one of the best-selling U.S. drugs after its introduction last month and already has more than 1 million prescriptions. Pfizer wants to be cautious because of the unprecedented demand, analysts said. ''They've been very clear all along that it's not an aphrodisiac, it's not a love drug for everyone,'' said David Saks, an analyst with Gruntal & Co. Pfizer fell 3 11/16 to 109 1/8 in trading of 6.28 million, compared to the three-month daily average of 5.23 million. Pfizer said it will send out 10,000 letters this week to reach emergency room personnel who might not realize they're treating Viagra users. The new warning was first reported this morning by CNBC and CNN and other media. Pfizer spokesman Andrew McCormick said the company had seen media reports that some men who took Viagra have been given nitrates. He declined to confirm the reports. In the case of any drug, Pfizer's policy would be to report adverse events to the FDA and not to comment on them, he said. FDA A spokeswoman for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said she hadn't heard of any incidents regarding Viagra. The FDA's approval for the drug in March required the label to warn about using Viagra together with nitrates. Viagra had total prescriptions of 303,424 in the week ended May 8, according to IMS Health, a consulting group. Analysts have estimated that sales of the drug could reach as much as $2 billion 1999. The company said it's already made an effort to talk to urologists and other doctors prescribing Viagra about potential side effects and related matters. Pfizer said it's especially concerned about patients who have angina attacks infrequently and thus may not think to discuss their cardiovascular problems with doctors prescribing Viagra. ''In our opinion, they are not candidates for Viagra,'' said Mariann Caprino, a spokeswoman for the drugmaker. ''We don't think that patients should be taking that chance.'' Pfizer has more than doubled in the past year on prospects for Viagra. It reached an all-time high of 121 3/4 on April 21. Better-than-expected early Viagra sales lifted Pfizer ahead of Merck & Co. as the most valuable U.S. drug company. Merck and Pfizer now vie for the position. Separately, the Associated Press reported that two of the biggest U.S. discount chains are engaged in a price war over Viagra. Kmart Corp. is advertising a five-tablet prescription for $39.99, while Wal-Mart Stores Inc. says it is offering five pills for $38.98. Viagra generally has been retailed at $10 a pill. --Marion Gammill and Kerry Dooley in the Princeton newsroom (609)