Reckitt Beckiser: Clearer guidance on NSAIDs needed

Reckitt Benckiser Healthcare International has called for “responsible and accurate” reporting of the European Medicines Agency’s (EMEA) review of the cardiovascular safety of non-selective non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

The firm’s calls come ahead of the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use’s (CHMP) announcement on October 19th in which it is expected to reveal the findings of its investigations into data indicating that high doses of NSAIDs, including ibuprofen, can cause an increase in cardiovascular risk.

Drugs prescribed by doctors in doses of at least 800mg, such as Voltarol, Piroxicam and Ketaprofen, for the long-term treatment of osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid arthritis, are under review, rather than over-the-counter (OTC) products such as Nurofen, which is manufactured by Reckitt Benckiser.

Dr Phil Berry, global medical director at Reckitt Benckiser, comments: “Current evidence has demonstrated that ibuprofen at an OTC dose is not associated with an increased risk of heart attack and has a long history of use as a safe and effective medicine.

“It is important that this is made clear when a judgement is given on the latest EMEA data review.”

The firm recently announced that it had appointed Virgo Health PR to further the global promotion of its Nurofen brand which was originally launched in the UK in 1985 and is now available in over 90 countries.