Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Study Clears Lingering Shadow Over Common Pain Reliever
The New York Times: Celebrex Is Found To Be No Riskier For Hearts Than Other Pain Drugs
The drugs seemed miraculous when they were introduced in 1999, and they soon became blockbusters, with billion-dollar sales. Vioxx, made by Merck, and Celebrex, made by Pfizer, could quell pain and inflammation just as well as drugs like ibuprofen and naproxen, but they did not cause ulcers and gastrointestinal bleeding. But then, the shocker. A Merck clinical trial asking if Vioxx could also prevent colon cancer revealed that the drug increased the risk of heart attacks, and the company pulled it off the market in 2004. (Kolata, 11/13)
The Washington Post: Surprising New Findings About Pain Relievers Taken By ‘Everyone On The Planet’
In 2004, when drugmaker Merck voluntarily pulled the pain-reliever Vioxx off the market amid evidence that it increased the risk of heart attacks, concern naturally turned to its nearly identical rival, Celebrex. The medication works the same way, by inhibiting production of an enzyme that causes pain and inflammation — as do naproxen, ibuprofen and others in the class of widely used analgesics known as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS). Now the first large-scale study of the three drugs finds that Celebrex poses no greater risk of heart attack, stroke, other cardiovascular problems or death than naproxen or ibuprofen. (Bernstein, 11/13)
NPR: Naproxen And Ibuprofen Problems Seen At High Doses In Study
Nissen and other heart specialists cautioned that Celebrex can increase the chance of cardiovascular complications. But it doesn't appear to boost those odds nearly as much as Vioxx, or even as much as other painkillers thought to be safer. Both Vioxx and Celebrex are so-called Cox-2 inhibitors, which act by blocking an enzyme involved in inflammation. (Stein, 11/13)
The Washington Post: New Statin Guidelines: Everyone 40 And Older Should Be Considered For The Drug Therapy
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force on Sunday issued new guidance for the use of cholesterol-busting statin drugs. The report greatly expands the universe of people who should be screened to see if they need the medication to everyone over age 40 regardless of whether they have a history of cardiovascular disease. (Cha, 11/13)
The New York Times: Genetic Heart Disease Risk Eased By Healthy Habits, Study Finds
Is genetics destiny when it comes to heart disease? A new analysis of data from more than 55,000 people provides an answer. It finds that by living right — by not smoking, by exercising moderately and by eating a healthy diet heavy in fruits, vegetables and grains — people can tamp down even the worst genetic risk. (Kolata, 11/13)
NPR: Good Health Habits Can Reduce Genetic Risk For Heart Attack
You can't choose your parents, so you can't help it if you're born with genes that increase your risk of heart disease. But a study finds that you can reduce that risk greatly with a healthful lifestyle. Scientists have been wondering whether that's the case. To find out, one international consortium looked at data from four large studies that had isolated genetic risk factors for heart disease. (Harris, 11/13)
The Baltimore Sun: Heart-Failure App Just The Latest Innovation To Spring From VA Research
Cardiology nurse Lois Freeman calls the heart failure patients who are regulars at the Baltimore VA Medical Center "frequent fliers." They cycle in and out of the hospital because they can't or won't follow the strict diet and exercise regime required to keep their medical conditions in check. Intent on breaking this cycle of repeat readmissions, Freeman came up with the concept of a smartphone app to track the diet, weight and exercise of cardiology patients. Her idea recently received development funding estimated at $1 million from the Department of Veterans Affairs. (Prudente, 11/11)
