The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 278 No 7443 p302
17 March 2007

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Pfizer warned over misleading advertisements for Zyvox

Pfizer has been told by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency to stop all advertising for Zyvox (linezolid) that contains misleading information about the antibiotic.

An advertisement in the BMJ claimed that Zyvox had superior cure rates compared with products containing vancomycin. At the time the advertisement appeared Pfizer was in discussion with the MHRA about emerging concerns relating to the efficacy and safety of Zyvox compared with vancomycin in a clinical trial in patients with catheter-related infections.

The MHRA has advised Pfizer that it should continually review its advertising in the light of current information on the balance of the risks and benefits of products and take appropriate action if new safety data becomes available.