The Bextra debate

More than 10 million people were using a COX-2 anti-inflammatory drug on Sept. 30, 2004, when Merck announced Vioxx's withdrawal, followed by a suspension of sales of Bextra by Pfizer. In 2003, Vioxx, Celebrex, and Bextra reaped more than $6 billion in sales, driven by $400 million in advertising targeting doctors and consumers. These sales were driven by claims that COX-2 anti-inflammatory drugs were safer than older NSAIDs such as Motrin, Voltaren, and Naprosyn; claims that have still not convinced many experts, especially in light of recent new studies.