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Chantix plays role in record number of drug reactions
November 3rd, 2008 by Kurt Niland
According to The Institute for Safe Medicine Practices (ISMP), the number of drug-related adverse events and deaths reported to the Food and Drug Administration has hit a record level. Numbers pulled from the FDA’s Adverse Event Reporting System (AERS) reveal that Heparin and Chantix are largely to blame for the upward swing.
The dramatic increase of pharmaceutical drug related injuries occurred in the first three months of 2008, during which time 20,745 serious side effects and more than 4,800 deaths were reported. The incidents represent a 38 percent rise over the previous four quarters and constitute the single highest spike yet recorded.
Prescription drug related death historically accounts for 16 percent of all serious cases reported. That number soared to 23 percent in the first quarter of 2008.
According to the FDA standards, a serious drug reaction is one that leads to medical intervention or hospitalization and jeopardizes the life of the user. AERS data comes from reports that are voluntarily submitted by medical professionals. The data is generally regarded as a small representation of a much larger picture.
According to ISMP, “Some of the increases in quarterly totals could represent normal variation in the flow of reports rather than signaling a long-term trend in patient safety. However, the data are compelling and should serve as one source of information regarding drug safety in the US.”
More reported serious injuries result from Chantix usage than any other prescription drug. Chantix accounted for 1,001 new cases of serious injury, including 50 deaths.
Pfizer refuted the FDA data and ISMP’s interpretation of it. “Based on [the] totality of data, we stand by the efficacy and safety profile of Chantix when used as directed,” said Pfizer spokeswoman Kristen Neese in a statement.
