Pfizer arthritis drug not safe for kids-US panel

Last Updated: 2006-11-29 16:27:08 -0400 (Reuters Health)

GAITHERSBURG, Maryland (Reuters) - Current data do not show that Pfizer Inc.'s pain reliever Celebrex is safe for treating rheumatoid arthritis in children, a U.S. advisory panel narrowly ruled on Wednesday.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration advisory committee voted 8-7 with one abstention that available data did not demonstrate Celebrex was a safe therapy for the disease in children. The panel is set to vote later Wednesday on whether to recommend FDA approval of Celebrex for the pediatric use.