Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield announced that it has added both BEXTRA (valdecoxib) and CELEBREX (celecoxib) to its formulary in response to Merck & Co. Inc.'s announcement that it will be withdrawing VIOXX (rofecoxib) from the market effective immediately. Both BEXTRA and CELEBREX will be available to members as alternative non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) for the treatment of arthritis and acute pain.
