FDA Takes on Data Showing CV Risk for Celebrex, Naproxen

photo-1Weeks after coming under fire for its approval and oversight of certain drugs now being questioned for their links to heart attack and stroke, the FDA has ordered Celebrex manufacturer Pfizer to cease all direct-to-consumer advertising of the top-selling arthritis drug.

The agency issued a statement Dec. 20 indicating that it would ask Pfizer to voluntarily suspend its Celebrex advertising campaign, which has often been cited as the most expensive direct-to-consumer effort ever for a single prescription drug. Pfizer has complied with the request, according to the statement.

The FDA's announcement came on the heels of Congressional hearings held …