Problems With Our Pills

2005: Pfizer suspends sales of its arthritis drug Bextra because of fears of fatal skin reactions.

A study is launched into popular weight-loss drug Reductil after overseas reports of cardiovascular complications.

2004: Merck’s anti-arthritis drug Vioxx is pulled from the market amid concerns it causes heart attacks and strokes.

Anti-depressant Serzone is withdrawn after evidence it was linked to 20 deaths caused by a toxic build up in the liver.

2003: A major inquiry is launched in Britain into widely prescribed antidepressants, including Seroxat and Prozac, following a spate of suicides and reports of severe withdrawal reactions.

2002: Felo ER, a drug used by 50,000 New Zealanders for treating hypertension is recalled amid questions about its effectiveness.

2001: Controls on the use of the quit-smoking pill Zyban are tightened in line with British changes that followed the deaths of 37 people taking the drug.

1999: The third-generation contraceptive pills Marvelon, Mercilon, Minulet and Femodene are linked with seven fatal blood clots, a case of severe brain damage and at least another 40 cases of blood clots since 1987.

1989: Fenoterol removed from the drug tariff in New Zealand after being linked with the asthma deaths epidemic.

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