Blatant marketing dressed up as research: LANCET

2004-04-16 12:06:49 AM
"After the US Food and Drug Administration approved Crestor last
September, a blistering editorial in the Lancet summed up the doubts
of some in the medical community about the drug, which caused
side-effects in clinical trials, including kidney damage."
www.guardian.co.uk/medicine/story/0,11381,1167578,00.html
Cholesterol-buster raises safety concerns
Heather Stewart
Friday March 12, 2004
The Guardian
'When diet and exercise aren't enough," says the jaunty slogan,
alongside a picture of a sprightly couple leaping into the sea.
AstraZeneca is blitzing Americans with publicity for its new
cholesterol-busting drug, Crestor - but at the same time, a fierce row
is raging about whether it is safe.
It emerged this week that MedCo, which manages the prescription drug
insurance benefits of 60 million Americans, has opted to leave Crestor
off its list of recommended drugs, directing patients instead towards
Pfizer's Lipitor, or Merck's Zocor.
A spokeswoman refused to elaborate, saying only that it was "based on
a clinical and financial review" - but analysts believe it has been
held back by nagging doubts about the drug's safety.
more at The Guardian url
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