Arthritis drug Bextra found to promote heart attacks and strokes

In the preliminary results, Bextra was found to increase the incidence of heart attacks and strokes by 219%. The cardiologist who presented the study, Dr. Garret Fitzgerald, called Bextra, "A time bomb waiting to go off," and noted that the apparent dangers of Bextra exceed those associated with Vioxx.

Pfizer, of course, downplayed the study in an attempt to minimize any negative backlash from its release. The question remains, however: will Pfizer now follow in Merck's footsteps and voluntarily recall Bextra? And if it refuses to do so, will the FDA step in and finally perform the regulatory function it has been so reluctant to use by banning Bextra from the market? Or will this warning be swept aside in favor of a policy that allows this drug to continue to be sold to tens of millions of Americans, regardless of its questionable safety?