D. Rossdegnan et al., EXAMINING PRODUCT RISK IN CONTEXT - MARKET WITHDRAWAL OF ZOMEPIRAC ASA CASE-STUDY, JAMA, the journal of the American Medical Association, 270(16), 1993, pp. 1937-1942
Objective.-To examine changes in the prescribing of analgesics after t
he market entry and subsequent withdrawal of zomepirac sodium, a nonst
eroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), following repeated reports of
zomepirac-related deaths. Design.-To evaluate this natural quasi exper
iment, we conducted time-series analyses to compare prescribing in two
cohorts of primary care physicians from July 1980 through September 1
983. Setting.-Study physicians provided outpatient pharmaceutical care
to patients enrolled in the New Jersey Medicaid program. Participants
.-We identified 260 primary care physicians who provided 10 or more pr
escriptions for zomepirac (zomepirac prescribers) and 308 who provided
10 or more prescriptions for NSAIDs other than zomepirac (other-NSAID
prescribers) in Medicaid during the study period. Main Outcome Measur
es.-Monthly rates of prescribing for zomepirac and several categories
of substitute analgesics among Medicaid patients seen by study physici
ans. Main Results.-Zomepirac accounted for a stable 11.0% of analgesic
prescribing among the zomepirac-prescriber cohort; label changes and
manufacturer product-risk warnings 11 months before the product's with
drawal from the market had no impact on use. After market entry, zomep
irac prescribers reduced use of other NSAIDs and propoxyphene (hydroch
loride or napsylate) in comparison with other-NSAID prescribers (-8.1%
and -2.80% of total analgesic prescribing, respectively; P<.001). Aft
er the product's withdrawal from the market, zomepirac prescribers sho
wed significant increases in relative prescribing of other NSAIDs (+6.
8%; P<.001), propoxyphene (+2.1%; P<.05), and analgesics containing ba
rbiturates (+2.7%; P<.001). Conclusions.-The sudden withdrawal of zome
pirac from the market resulted in substitutions not only of other NSAI
Ds, but also of alternative analgesics that carry risks of habituation
and adverse effects. Apparent gains in patient safety resulting from
market withdrawal of medications must be evaluated in comparison with
risks of medications likely to be substituted.