ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, August 8, 1996 TAG: 9608080030
SECTION: BUSINESS PAGE: B-8 EDITION: METRO
FDA criticizes Pfizer for `false' Zoloft ads
WASHINGTON - The Food and Drug Administration has ordered Pfizer Inc. to halt what it called the ``false and misleading'' promotion of Zoloft for treating pre-menstrual depression, depression after heart attacks, and other unapproved uses.
In an eight-page letter last week to Pfizer's chairman, the FDA said company brochures were recommending Zoloft to physicians for depressed heart attack patients despite ``as yet unresolved safety concerns associated with its use.''
The letter cited Pfizer's own clinical tests showing that the popular anti-depressant drug may cause chest pain, rapid heartbeat and other side effects among people who have suffered heart attacks.
The FDA routinely warns drug makers against promoting medicines for unapproved uses, but the letter to Pfizer was unusually stern. The agency also ordered the company to write every physician who had received its brochures to correct the claims in the ads and to publish that letter in every medical journal that has run a Zoloft ad in the past year.
- Associated Press
Merger creates top real estate firm
INDIANAPOLIS - Shareholders of Simon Property Group on Wednesday approved the mall chain's proposed merger with rival DeBartolo Realty Corp., a deal that would create the nation's biggest real estate company.
The $3 billion merger is expected to close Friday, a Simon spokeswoman said.
The new company, Indianapolis-based Simon DeBartolo Group, will have 112 regional shopping centers, 66 community centers and six specialty retail centers in 35 states.
- Associated Press
Netscape assails Microsoft tactics
BOSTON - The prospects of another antitrust inquiry into Microsoft Corp. grew Wednesday after Netscape Communications Corp. publicized what it described as an unlawful attempt by its rival to influence purchasing in World Wide Web software.
Microsoft denied any illegal activity and repeated assertions that Netscape had misportrayed Microsoft's new software for businesses that have complex data systems and want to spread information on the Internet.
Netscape chief executive James Barksdale said Microsoft was trying to force businesses to buy the more expensive of the two Microsoft products, to the detriment of a Netscape program that can work with the cheaper product.
- Associated Press
LENGTH: Medium: 55 linesby CNB