Monsanto's New Arthritis Drug, Celebrex, Linked to 10 Deaths
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Monsanto Celebrex Linked to 10 Deaths
(Excerpts From The Associated Press)
AP-NY-04-20-99 0514EDT
NEW YORK (AP) -- Monsanto's highly successful painkiller Celebrex has been
linked to 10 deaths and 11 cases of gastrointestinal hemorrhages in its
first three months on the market, The Wall Street Journal reported today.
Half of the 10 people who died suffered from gastrointestinal bleeding or
ulcers, according to reports submitted to the Food and Drug Administration
that were obtained by the Journal under the Freedom of Information Act.
Two other deaths were attributed to heart attacks, one to drug interaction
and one to kidney disorder. No cause of death was given for the 10th fatality.
The Journal did not specify the sources of the so-called adverse event
reports, which could come from health professionals, consumers or the drug
company itself.
Celebrex, manufactured by St. Louis-based Monsanto Co.'s G.D. Searle & Co.
subsidiary, went on the market in January to treat osteoarthritis and
rheumatoid arthritis.