A major study presented at the annual conference of the American College of Cardiology this weekend has created an uproar. The research finds that people who take the heart drug Plavix along with an Aspirin to decrease their chances of having a first heart attack are at risk of developing serious bleeding. The study examined a population of 15,000 subjects. Because earlier findings had suggested Plavix could have an excellent protective effect, the drug is commonly prescribed by cardiologists in conjunction with aspirin. In 2002, the American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology endorsed Plavix for patients at risk of heart attack or stroke. The drug is Sanofi-Aventis' top seller, bringing in $6 billion in worldwide sales last year alone. Plavix is co-distributed by Bristol Myers-Squibb.
- see this article from The New York Times