Warnings- COLUMNS-Drugs and Supplements, May 2004

Bristol-Myers Squibb to Withdraw Serzone From U.S. Market

WASHINGTON - Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMS) announced May 19 that it will remove Serzone from the U.S. market, not because of the drug's association with the risk of liver failure, but because of declining sales.

The company issued a letter to wholesalers stating that Serzone will no longer be distributed in the U.S. after June 14. In 2003, the antidepressant was voluntarily taken off the shelves in Europe, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

Public Citizen, a consumer protection group headed by presidential candidate Ralph Nader, has submitted two petitions to the FDA …