Bextra and Vioxx Withdrawal Spurs Price Increase Among Rivals

The market for painkillers is huge. People dont like pain and inflammation, and last year Americans spent nearly $4 billion on just two of them Vioxx and Bextra. Those two drugs, part of a family of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs known as COX-2 inhibitors, were withdrawn from the market recently amid concerns that they can cause heart attacks and strokes. The loss of these two drugs to the marketplace is huge, as they were the two largest sellers in a fairly narrow field. COX-2 inhibitors differ from traditional non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in that they inhibit production of the COX-2 enzyme that causes inflammation but do not interfere with COX-1, the enzyme that protects the stomach lining. Patients who use these drugs are thought to suffer less from internal discomfort and bleeding than those who took traditional anti-inflammatories, such as naproxen and ibuprofen.

With the withdrawal of these two blockbusters, patients with chronic pain, such as arthritis sufferers, are now going back to older painkillers, such as Mobic, Motrin, and Relafen. Since the more popular Vioxx and Bextra are no longer available, these older drugs are enjoying a resurgence in popularity, and sales are up across the board. So, it seems, are their prices. A recent study by a popular consumer publication shows that prices of some three dozen anti-inflammatory medications have gone up since Vioxx was withdrawn from the market in September 2004. The increases average about ten percent. Why have the prices of these older, established medications all gone up at once?

The answer, simply, is that the pharmaceutical companies have raised the prices because they can. The market for drugs is wildly competitive, and manufacturers are constantly seeking any advantage they can find in the marketplace. The sudden withdrawal of two of the most popular and profitable medications has provided a rare opportunity for manufacturers to increase both sales and prices at the same time, as the drug makers know that patients must switch to another medication. Its good for their stockholders, but bad for those who suffer from pain.

Will the high prices last? Probably not. Pricing of highly competitive medications tends to be volatile. The prices may stay up in the short term, but other medications may be introduced soon, or Bextra or Vioxx may be returned to the market. The introduction of other drugs will restore more competition to the market, and prices may drop once again. The market for painkilling drugs is a bit of a crazy one, and patients should simply exhibit some, well, patience.

Copyright 2005 by Retro Marketing. Charles Essmeier is the owner of Retro Marketing, a firm devoted to informational Websites, including Bextra-Info.net, a site devoted to the withdrawn drug Bextra and StructuredSettlementHelp.com, a site devoted to structured settlements. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Charles_Essmeier

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What is arthritis?

Arthritis is an inflammatory disease of the joints and other parts of the body. Arthritis is actually more than 100 different diseases and affects one out of every 7 people of all ages. People with arthritis experience pain and loss of movement and function. Arthritis can be very disabling and is a lifelong disease, but can go into remission. Each type of arthritis is different and has a different cause.
Literally means joint inflammation. Can be used to indicate a group of more than 100 rheumatic diseases. These diseases affect not only the joints but also other connective tissues of the body, including important supporting structures such as muscles, tendons, and ligaments, as well as the protective covering of internal organs.
Inflammation of a joint. An increase in the amount of synovial fluid in the joint is a result of this inflammation. Accumulation of synovial fluid in the fetlock joint is called a "wind puff" or "wind gall." In young horses, a swelling in the fetlock joint, particularly on the front of the joint where the cannon and long pastern bones meet, is called a "green osselet." This swelling is a result of inflammation and reactive changes of the front edges of these two bones and adjacent cartilage.