EAST HANOVER, N.J., Oct. 27 /PRNewswire/ -- COX-2 prescribing will remain high at first, in spite of Merck’s September 30th worldwide withdrawal of Vioxx -- the popular COX-2 for treating arthritis and acute pain. According to new NOP World Health research, physicians initially will continue prescribing COX-2s, shifting their Vioxx patients to other products in the class. Pfizer’s COX-2 franchise, including Bextra and Celebrex, will enjoy the greatest gains, with physicians expressing a strong preference for these products.
Reaction to the withdrawal differs among specialty groups. Primary care physicians (PCPs) are most wary of COX-2s in the face of the Vioxx withdrawal, which Merck performed voluntarily, after clinical trials linked the drug to heart attacks and strokes. PCPs are more likely than specialists-such as orthopedic surgeons and rheumatologists -- to switch their Vioxx patients to NSAIDs or Mobic, rather than other COX-2s. In contrast, specialists indicate that they will continue prescribing COX-2s, believing that the benefits outweigh the risks.
Several Key Factors Will Influence COX-2 Prescribing Going Forward
Although high prescribers of COX-2s don’t anticipate switching to different classes immediately, other market drivers may ultimately change their minds. For example, a large proportion of physicians report that patients already have come forward, requesting to be switched to products outside the COX-2 class.
In addition, articles in the New England Journal of Medicine calling for scrutiny of safety across the entire COX-2 class may increase physician concerns. In a move that may raise even more red flags for physicians, Pfizer has issued a “Dear Doctor” letter, warning of an increased cardiovascular risk associated with Bextra (valdecoxib) when used following coronary artery bypass graft surgery.
“Clearly, the messages the industry puts around the withdrawal will have a large impact on the extent of class effect,” says Andrea McDonough, Senior Director of Market Events at NOP World Health. “How the industry positions the withdrawal will have a considerable effect on COX-2 prescribing -- particularly among primary care physicians, who already have reservations. In addition, in its messaging, the industry will need to address the concerns of managed care companies, or it will face the possibility of restrictions around COX-2 prescribing.”
More Than 350 Physicians Share Their Views of the Vioxx Withdrawal
NOP World Health’s findings are drawn from its Event Flash(TM) study on Physician Reactions to the Withdrawal of Vioxx. The study was conducted via self-administered Web surveys, from October 1-5, 2004. More than 350 doctors participated in the research, including 101 general and family practitioners, 100 internal medicine practitioners, 75 orthopedic surgeons and 75 rheumatologists.
About NOP World Health ...
A leading supplier of primary research to the global healthcare community, NOP World Health is the health-focused arm of NOP World -- a top-ten market research power worldwide. Bringing together some of the most renowned US and European research firms in a unified global network, NOP World is a wholly-owned subsidiary of UK-based United Business Media plc .
NOP World Health was formed in February by integrating three healthcare research leaders: Market Measures/Cozint, the premier supplier of US market and disease state analyses ... NOP Healthcare, UK-domestic and international quantitative and qualitative ad hoc consultancy and omnibus services ... and Strategic Marketing Corporation, the leader in strategic problem solving and consulting.
About United Business Media plc ...
United Business Media (http://www.unitedbusinessmedia.com/) is a leading provider of business information services to the technology, healthcare, media, automotive, financial services and property industries. UBM offers services in news distribution, market research, publishing and events to customers across the globe. In addition to NOP World, UBM brands include PRNewswire, the world’s leading corporate news distribution service and CMP, the business-to-business media and exhibition group operating in hi-tech, healthcare, property, entertainment, jewelry and fashion in the U.S., UK, Asia and Europe.
For More Information ...
For more information on NOP World Health’s Physician Reactions to the Withdrawal of Vioxx, please contact Andrea McDonough, NOP World Health’s Senior Director of Market Events, at 609-683-6364 or amcdonough@nopworld.com.
To learn more about NOP World, please contact Ilene Siegalovsky, Senior Vice President, Marketing, at 800-456-4405, ext. 3515 or isiegalovsky@nopworld.com.
NOP World Health
CONTACT: Ilene Siegalovsky, Senior Vice President, Marketing of NOPWorld, 1-800-456-4405, ext. 3515