| BEWARE THE DANGERS' "Smart Money" magazine, dated November 2003. "There's little doubt that the best selling prescription medicine saves lives. But as more patients link the cholesterol pill to memory loss and crippling muscle pain, some doctors are starting to ask: Is America overdosing on Pfizer's wonder drug?" Mike & Sharon Hope "Since starting on Lipitor in 1998, Mike has significantly reduced his bad cholesterol. But in the process he has been hampered by extreme muscle pain, frustrating memory lapses - and the loss of his business" Dr. Beatrice Golomb "In researching patients taking statins, Dr.Golomb has discovered that 'people experience significant adverse effects from these drugs. Among the most common: muscle pain and cognitive problems." Brenda Horton "After taking Lipitor for three months, Horton experienced such severe heart irregularities that she worried her heart would 'just quit'. It scared me enough to send me to the emergency room." "When Kathleen S. started taking Lipitor, she suffered such severe muscle pain that she barely left her home for weeks. The doctor 'was thrilled with how much my cholesterol came down' she says, but the drug was going to kill me'.' "Pfizer denies a link between Lipitor and memory loss. 'We think that lowering cholesterol may have some serious benefit in terms of recognition,’ says Dr. Gary Palmer, head of Pfizer's cardiovascular medical group. 'That's not to say the odd case hasn't been reported'." "Families like the Mortins and Hopes would like to see Pfizer in court. But lawyers tell them the drug must be recalled before they'll take the case. 'Fighting Pfizer is like fighting God,' Mari Mortin fumes. 'They can exhaust everything we have'." |
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