Pfizer warns of deaths linked to growth hormone

3.00pm

NEW YORK - The world's largest drugmaker, Pfizer, has notified doctors of seven deaths around the world linked to use of its Genotropin growth hormone, all of whom were paediatric patients with a rare genetic disease called Prader-Willi syndrome.

Genotropin is one of the world's top-selling growth hormones, with 2002 revenues of US$551 million ($949.50 million). Pfizer acquired the injectable medicine through its merger in April with Pharmacia Corp.

The warning appears in a letter from Pfizer's Pharmacia subsidiary to doctors, dated May 30, that was posted Friday on the website of the US Food and Drug Administration.

New York-based Pfizer said it had been informed that seven paediatric patients with the syndrome had died worldwide through April 1, 2003, after using Genotropin.

Prader Willi syndrome patients, who are missing part of a chromosome, commonly have physical development problems. Many are likely to be mentally retarded and are prone to develop obsessive-compulsive behaviours and insatiable appetites that can lead to obesity and other health problems.

Pfizer said all seven deaths were among Prader-Willi patients with one or more special risk factors, including "severe obesity, history of respiratory impairment or sleep apnoea, or unidentified respiratory infection." Male patients may be at increased risk, the company added.

Pfizer said patients with the syndrome should be evaluated, especially for sleep apnoea, a condition in which breathing repeatedly stops during sleep.

- REUTERS