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Biotech / Medical : VVUS: VIVUS INC. (NASDAQ) -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: VLAD who wrote (9496)	6/10/1998 11:07:00 PM
From: VLAD	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 23519

Some food for discussion: Over the past few years several good money making drugs have been pulled because of but a couple of questionable deaths (eg Seldane, Fen-Phen, etc). A drug such as Seldane was a big money maker and was available to the public for many years. For those of you who don't know, Seldane was an anti-histamine that was popular because it did not cause drowsiness. Looking at the Viagra situation we now have 16 questionable Viagra related deaths in less than 2 months. Let's say that on average there will be 2 questionable Viagra deaths per month. Let's say that 1/2 are in some way related to Viagra. The deaths may not be solely due to Viagra but the effects of the combination of Viagra and other cardiovascular related drugs. Is Pfizer not liable if a patient dies because Viagra mixed with his high blood pressure drug resulted in death? The public and media have focused mostly on this pill that "cures" impotence. It is a wonderful idea but it is not reality. How about the potential of retinal damage with prolonged use? Is this not another major potential liability for Pfizer? I think that in the future Pfizer will have to seriously consider pulling Viagra since so little is known about the effects of Viagra mixed with other drugs and the long term effects on vision. Can Pfizer afford to deal with all of these major liability issues? It does not matter what the FDA says. Pfizer has to decide if the Viagra profits outweighs the Viagra liabilities. I believe Viagra will be pulled off the shelves by Pfizer. There is just too much risk involved for a large company with many other drugs to sell.