http://www.counterpunch.org/rost12042006.html

December 4, 2006

Dropping Like Flies From Torcetrapib

Clueless Pfizer Executives

By PETER ROST, MD

On Thursday, November 30, Pfizer's executives conducted a well 
rehearsed dog-and-pony show over at Pfizer's research facilities in 
Groton, CT. All interest was focused on torcetrapib; the most 
important new drug in Pfizer's pipeline, which boosts good 
cholesterol.

According to Forbes, Pfizer Chief Executive Jeffrey Kindler told 
about 250 analysts and investors attending the meeting that 
torcetrapib was "one of the most important developments in our 
generation."

Pfizer research president John LaMattina said, "We believe this is 
the most important new development in cardiovascular medicine in 
years," according to the Wall Street Journal.

On Saturday, December 2-two days later-Pfizer said in a statement 
that it is terminating all clinical tests of torcetrapib and its 
plans to bring the drug to market. A board of independent experts had 
reviewed the latest data from a 15,000-patient test on torcetrapib 
and found that patients on the drug were dying like flies; almost 
twice as many dead as on the comparator. The company also said it is 
asking doctors participating in studies of torcetrapib to tell 
patients to stop taking the drug immediately.

Associated Press concluded, "The news is devastating to Pfizer, which 
had been counting on the drug to revitalize stagnant sales that have 
been hurt by numerous patent expirations on key products. It has said 
it was spending around $800 million to develop torcetrapib."

Of course, in the drug industry, bad stuff happens. But in this 
particular case, the whole scientific world had been worried about 
the fact that torcetrapib raises blood pressure. Not a good thing for 
a cardiovascular drug. But that didn't stop the Pfizer executives 
from hyping torcetrapib. Until it turned out that "one of the most 
important developments in our generation" was really a killer 
drug-quite literally.

And this is what makes Pfizer's CEO Mr. Kindler and Pfizer's research 
chief Dr. LaMattina officially the most clueless executives in the 
drug business.

Peter Rost, M.D., is a former Vice President of Pfizer. He became 
well known in 2004 when he emerged as the first drug company 
executive to speak out in favor of reimportation of drugs. He is the 
author of "The Whistleblower, Confessions of a Healthcare Hitman." 
See: http://the-whistleblower-by-peter-rost.blogspot.com/