Pfizer's Feldene

Executive Summary

Reports in the British press of ulcer bleeding and other adverse effects associated with the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory (piroxicam) contain "no new information" and refer to data from "uncontrolled studies and reports . . . involving relatively small numbers of patients," Pfizer declared. An article that cited 77 deaths in the U.K. associated with the use of Feldene was "sensationalized" and "misleading" in suggesting that the British govt. had contacted Pfizer regarding changes in the anti-arthritic agent's regulatory status, the company said.