Two recent studies have prompted the FDA to stop dragging their feet and begin investigating whether Prilosec and Nexium cause an increased risk of heart attacks. Personally, whether or not this is true is besides the point- it is now plainly clear that the FDA is working for the companies and not for the American people. What’s mandate for the FDA? Even if they officially rule that there is no heart attack danger posed by Prisolec or Nexium, we should have known about the potential for problems beforehand. If they haven’t completely sorted out whether or not something gives you heart attacks during the testing phase of a new drug, it leaves you wondering what else they’re forgetting to test properly.
Investors seem to be worried about the FDA inquiry as AstroZeneca, the makers of these over-the-counter medications have taken a sharp downward slide in the past few days. The Wall Street Journal from August ninth noticed found the activity enough to write about the direct correlation between AstroZeneca’s drop in share price and the announcement of the FDA investigation.
“The regulators said in pretty clear terms that the review isn’t likely to amount to much, but that wasn’t enough to calm investors made skittish by the FDA’s tougher stance on drug safety. AstraZeneca stock fell more than 5% this morning before starting to recover.”
At the moment, the stock is still down in after-hours trading.
The FDA inquiry was prompted by two separate European studies concluding that Prilosec and its close relative Nexium caused a greater increase in risk of heart attacks, heart failure and heart-related sudden death. Generally, those types of side effects aren’t worth the risk from symptoms derived from eating too much pepperoni pizza.
Canada’s Globe and Mail noted that this isn’t the only time potential problems have been raised in reference to Prilosec, which in Canada is marketed simply as Losec. I’m not sure what particular data told them that Americans are more likely to buy something with “pri” as a prefix, but I guess we’ll leave that up to AstroZeneca and their marketing agency.
While many people have heeded the news releases from AstroZeneca and kept on taking their Nexium and (Pri)losec, something the FDA has also been urging people to continue, the media is now reporting that conclusive evidence will only be available in three months time. Friday’s New York Times stated that “The F.D.A. will need another three months to complete a thorough analysis of the drugs’ safety.”
Hardly sounds conclusive, but then again, we can trust the FDA… right?
