Arthritis drug fears sparks EU probe

DRUGS similar to the arthritis drug Vioxx, which has been withdrawn because of a possible risk of heart attack and stroke, are to be reviewed by the European Agency for the Evaluation of Medicinal Products (EMEA) on Monday.

Other drugs that may act in the same way as Vioxx are known as cyclooxygenase-2 or COX-2 Inhibitors, which are more ‘stomach friendly’ alternatives to traditional pain relief drugs called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

Following a number of adverse reports after Vioxx became available in Britain in 1999, the European Committee for Proprietary Medicinal Products examined the safety of COX-2 drugs. In 2003 it concluded the balance of the risks and benefits of the products remained positive but recommended strengthening existing warnings about underlying cardiovascular risks.