An advisory panel at the FDA has urged the agency to approve Celebrex to treat arthritis in children as young as two. But to make sure that the children are not being exposed to increased risk of heart attacks and strokes, the advisers want Pfizer to track the children taking the medication for decades to come. Eight of the 15 members on the panel agreed that Celebrex can be toxic. That conclusion led them to recommend that Pfizer create a patient registry that could track blood pressure, kidney function and other conditions for 30 years. Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis affects about 60,000 children in the U.S.
- read the report [1] on Celebrex from The Boston Globe
Related Article:
Despite risks, Pfizer seeks Celebrex use for kids. Report [2]
Links:
[1] http://www.boston.com/business/healthcare/articles/2006/11/30/fda_advisers_back_celebrex_for_children_despite_risks/
[2] http://www.fiercehealthcare.com/story/despite-risks-pfizer-seeks-celebrex-use-for-kids/2006-11-27