AN-1792 (Elan): for Alzeimers. Trials end after 15 patients develop brain inflammation. Various media. 4 March 02.
Alpha-1- antitrypsin (PPL): for lung disease. Delay of 2 years as caused wheezing (BBC Sci/Tech) 25 March 02.
Vevesca (Oxford Glyco-Sciences): Gaucher's Disease. 11% patients developed nervous system disease. Financial Times 21 March 02
Gliadel (Guilford Pharmaceuticals): for brain cancer. FDA rejected request to expand use. When compared to placebo, did not significantly reduce patients risk of death during clinical trial. The Baltimore Sun, March 21 02,
Vioxx, (Merck and Co): painkiller, linked to meningitis. This has been added to list of side effects. sfgate.com FDA report, March 25 02
Sibutramine/Reductil (Abbott Laboratories): for weight loss. Deaths. Being monitored. Reuters Health, March 15 02
Bexxar (Corixa Corp): non-Hodgkins lymphoma. FDA 3^rd rejection. wsrn.com, 13 March 02
Zithromax (Pfizer): antibiotic. Failed to show it helps reduce hardening of arteries in heart attack patients. Reuters, 19 March 02
Picovir (Viropharma Inc): anti viral cold treatment. Rejected by Government Advisory Panel. Risks outweigh benefits. The Boston Globe, 20 March 02
Intron A, Interferon alfa 2b etc. Schering Sales Corp. A boxed warning added re numerous disorders. FDA, 14 March 02
Zyprexa (Lilly): schizophrenia drug. Adverse effects on diabetics. Reuters, 3 May 02
Glivec (Novartis): leukaemia. Very limited licence as not adequate evidence of effectiveness. Times, 15 May 02
Roaccutane (Roche): acne. Possible suicides. Call for inquiry. Ananova News, 17 May 02
Exubera (Pfizer): diabetes. Removed at late clinical trial but may be marketed this year. Hurt breathing ability. Cnet, 16 May 02
Colostrinin (Regen Therapeutics): Alzeimers. Has yet to show conclusive benefits during clinical trials. FT, 22 March 02
Marimastat (British Biotech): cancer. 1986-3 May 01 when it seemed to disappear. No better than existing medicines. Various media sources
RecAAt (PPL Therapeutics/Bayer): emphysema. Phase 3 trial suspended when 3 patients dropped out. FT 19 March 2002
Pralnacasan (Vertex Pharmaceuticals /Aventis): arthritis. Did not show significant efficacy in clinical trials. Reuters, 24 April 02
Lotronex (GSK). IBS. Pulled from market due to sometimes lethal bowel ischaemia. May be cleared again but with stringent restrictions. CBS News, 23 April 02
Claritin (Schering- Plough Corp): allergy. May cause birth defects in humans. CNN Money, 26 April 02
Avandia (Glaxo): diabetes. Added warnings of heart and liver disease. Taipei Times 28 April 02
Actos (Lilly): diabetes. Added warnings of liver disease. Taipei Times, 28 April 02
Avastin (Genentech): cancer. Abstracts may contain negative safety data. Cnet, 11 April 02
Arava (Aventis Pharma): rheumatoid arthritis. Linked to liver disease and death. FDA to consider. Nando Times 28 March 02, and FDA urged to ban. MSNBC News, 28 March 02
Erbitux (Imclone/Bristol-Myers Squibb Co): cancer. Rejected by FDA. East Bay Business Times, 8 February 02
Lovonex (Aventis): Not recommended for thromboprophylaxis in patients with prosthetic heart valves. FDA, 4 April 02
Oxytrol (Watson Phamaceuticals Inc): skin patch for urinary incontinence. More clinical data needed. Bloomberg.com, 28 March 02
Selegiline (Somerset Pharmaceuticals Inc): depression. FDA has not approved. Need additional efficacy data. PR News 27 March 02
Clozaril (Novartis): schizophrenia. Strengthened warning re myocarditis. Pschominded.co.uk, 1 April 02
CTV-01 (Cambridge-based Medicines Co): bacterial vaginosis. Failed in study. Boston Business Journal, 27 March 02
Geodon (Pfizer): schizophrenia. FDA strengthened warnings. FDA April 2002 and MCA 26 March 2002
Reductil (Abbott Laboratories Inc): obesity. Withdrawn after human deaths. Financial Express, 10 April 02
Oxycontin (Purdue Phara): painkiller. Implicated in causing or contributing to deaths. ABC News, 16 April 02
Factive (GlaxoSmithKline): antibiotic. Abandoned. The Independent, 16 April 02
Olanzapine (Lilly): antipsychotic. Side effects in diabetic patients. Reuters Health, 19 April 02
Irofulven (MGI): pancreatic cancer. Stopped late stage clinical trials. The Street 17 April 02
· And while not a drug side effect, the following is of interest:
Lipitor (Pfizer): cholesterol drug. World's best selling drug. Investigations re pricing and marketing practices. Digitalmass, 17 May 02
Also:
…'the complexity and reach of modern medicines had come to represent new levels of harm to patients'…….more people in Great Britain die from adverse reactions to medical drugs each year, than are killed on the roads. BMJ 15 April 02 (Italics added)
Human Trials.
You must ensure that patients or volunteers understand that they are being asked to participate in research and that the results are not predictable'. General Medical Council  The Role and responsibilities of Doctors', 2002 (Italics added)
'The company (Bristol-Myers Squibb) is struggling with a shortage of promising drugs in the pipeline, a surplus of lawsuits, several failed products and generic competition'. 'Drug firms becoming desperate as industry changes' Nando Times,
8 April 02

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