FDA Approves Rheumatoid Arthritis Drug Banned in Europe and Linked to Deaths

Rheumatoid arthritis is a painful condition. But killer meds are not the answer. A new class of anti-inflammatory drugs called TNF-alpha blockers are very dangerous. The best-known drugs in this class are Enbrel and Humira, which are used to treat juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s disease, and other inflammatory diseases. Pfizer’s new anti-inflammatory drug, Xeljanz (tofactinib), caused four patient deaths before it even hit the market. The European regulatory agencies rejected Xeljanz twice on safety grounds, yet the FDA has moved forward and approved it.