Celebrex to be Available in Europe for the Treatment of Ankylosing
Spondylitis, a Debilitating Form of Arthritis
NEW YORK, Feb. 23 /PRNewswire/ -- Pfizer Inc announced today that 17
European countries agreed to extend the Celebrex (celecoxib capsules) label
to include symptomatic relief in the treatment of ankylosing spondylitis
(in adults), a form of arthritis that affects the spine. Once each country
updates its labeling, Celebrex will be the first oral selective COX-2
inhibitor available in Europe to treat this chronic and debilitating
condition.
"Ankylosing Spondylitis is a very painful condition, often affecting
young adults in the prime of their most productive years, said Rory
O'Connor VP Medical & Regulatory Affairs, Europe. "Celebrex now offers an
effective and well-tolerated treatment, adding to physician and patient
choice in managing this devastating disease."
Ankylosing spondylitis is a form of arthritis that primarily affects
the spine, causing inflammation that can lead to intense pain and stiffness
in the shoulders, knees, hips, ribs and feet. In severe cases, it can cause
the spine to fuse together. With its early onset and progressively damaging
effects on the joints, ankylosing spondylitis poses a significant burden on
patients and their families, as well as payers and healthcare budgets.
Ankylosing spondylitis affects up to 0.9% of Europeans with wide geographic
variation and differences among ethnic groups.
Sweden acted as the European Union reference member state in the Mutual
Recognition regulatory process that agreed to ankylosing spondylitis as a
new indication for Celebrex. Each of the 17 countries will now individually
update the license for Celebrex to include the new labeling, following
applicable local procedures. In the United States, Celebrex was granted
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for the relief of signs and
symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis in July 2005.
SOURCE Pfizer Inc
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