In a vote that expressed strong disagreement over the long-term consequences, an FDA panel has recommended that Pfizer be allowed to market painkiller Celebrex for treatment of children two and older with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. The fifteen-member advisory board ruled that for short-term use, the benefits of the drug outweighed its risks, despite concerns over past cardiovascular problems caused by sister drugs like Vioxx. However, in a separate 8-7 decision, it found that Pfizer had not proven that Celebrex could be safely used with children. Panel members are strongly suggesting that the long-term safety of the drug be studied, perhaps by tracking the health of a registry of individual patients.
Fore more information on the decision:
- read this Associated Press piece