World Reacts to Bextra Ban

While the United States Food and Drug Administration was the first to ask Pfizer to halt sales of their pain medication Bextra on April 7, 2005, the rest of the world is reacting in suit.

The Hong Kong Health Department issued a release the same day urging Bextra users to “stop taking Bextra and contact their physicians about appropriate treatment options," prompting the drug’s importer Pfizer Corporation Hong Kong Ltd. to immediately stop distributing and selling the drug.

Canadian health officials also asked Pfizer to halt sales of the medication, basing its decision on “an ongoing review of information with regard to serious, potentially life-threatening skin reactions." Canadian officials have requested Pfizer "to submit evidence to establish the safety of this drug product under the conditions of use for which it is recommended."

Hours after the FDA’s request, the European Union took a similar approach, asking Pfizer to suspend sales of Bextra in all 25 EU member nations. Pfizer complied with this request as well.

Singapore joined the widespread ban on April 8, when the Health Sciences Authority asked Pfizer to withdraw Bextra from the Singapore market.

Weitz & Luxenberg is no longer accepting Bextra cases.

see also:

Our Press Release Bextra recall and Celebrex black box warning: Bextra Withdrawl + Vioxx warnings
Bextra Widthdrawl: Celebrex black box warning and Bextra recall, Vioxx

FDA Q&A Dec 04 Bextra Lawyers - FDA Questions and Answers Dec 2004
Bextra Recall - FDA Questions & Answers - upgraded warnings for Bextra

About the Bextra Recall Bextra lawyers - about the FDA Bextra recall
Bextra Withdrawal: Letter to clients about the FDA Bextra recall