Celecoxib - referral

Current status

European Commission final decision

Overview

The COX-2 inhibitors celecoxib, etoricoxib, lumiracoxib, parecoxib, rofecoxib and valdecoxib comprise a relatively new group of substances whose common pharmacological action is the selective inhibition of cyclooxygenase-2. COX-2 inhibitors have been introduced in medical practice for treatment of patients with chronic inflammatory degenerative diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.

In September 2004, the Marketing Authorisation Holder of rofecoxib informed the EMEA that new clinical trial (APPROVe) data for rofecoxib have revealed a risk of thrombotic cardiovascular events. These data resulted in the worldwide withdrawal of rofecoxib (Vioxx) from the market on 30 September 2004 by the Marketing Authorisation Holder and raised questions regarding the cardiovascular safety of other Cox-2 inhibitors.

Further to discussions at the CHMP October 2004 plenary meeting, the European Commission recommended that this public health issue on all aspects of cardiovascular safety including thrombotic events and cardio-renal events should be the subject of Community referrals under Article 31 of Directive 2001/83/EC, as amended regarding decentrally authorised products containing celecoxib, etoricoxib and lumiracoxib and subject to a review procedure under Article 18 of Council Regulation (EEC) No 2309/93, as amended regarding the centrally authorised products containing celecoxib (Onsenal), parecoxib (Dynastat/Rayzon) and valdecoxib (Bextra/Valdyn). These review procedures were started in November 2004.

On 18 November 2004, the CHMP requested comprehensive cardiovascular safety information for these products.

On 7 April 2005, the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) and the EMEA requested Pfizer to voluntarily withdraw Bextra (valdecoxib) from the market. Pfizer agreed to suspend sale and marketing of Bextra worldwide pending further discussions on the unfavorable risk versus benefit due to data on serious skin reactions.

On 20 April 2005, Pfizer presented data on serious skin reactions for valdecoxib during a hearing.

Therefore, on 20 April 2005 further to a request from the EC, the CHMP broadened the scope of the procedure under Article 31 of Directive 2001/83/EC, as amended and the review procedure under Article 18 of Council Regulation (EEC) No 2309/93, to include the assessment of serious skin reactions in the ongoing class review in addition to the cardiovascular safety aspects.

The Marketing Authorisation Holder of celecoxib provided written explanations by 10 January, 26 January and 10 May 2005. Oral explanations were given by the Marketing Authorisation Holder on 18 January 2005, 15 February 2005 and 25 May 2005.

Upon consideration of all available data, the CHMP adopted an opinion for celecoxib on 23 June 2005 recommending the maintenance of the Marketing Authorisations for celecoxib containing medicinal products in the indications stated in the Summary of Product Characteristics as set out in Annex III.

The list of product names concerned is given in Annex I. The scientific conclusions are provided in Annex II, together with the amended Summary of Product Characteristics in Annex III.

On the basis of the CHMP Opinion, the European Commission issued a Decision on 28 November 2005.

* Notes: The information given in this document and Annexes reflect only the CHMP Opinion dated 23 June 2005. The competent authorities of the Member States will continue to keep the product under regular review.

Opinion following an Article 31 referral for all medicinal products containing Celecoxib, Etoricoxib, Lumiracoxib, Parecoxib, and Valdecoxib International Non-Proprietary Name (INN): celecoxib: Background information

Adopted Reference Number: EMEA/CHMP/323166/2005

Key facts

About this medicine

• Approved name:
  Celecoxib
• International non-proprietary name (INN) or common name:
  celecoxib
• Class:
  -

About this procedure

• Current status:
  European Commission final decision
• Reference number:
  CHMP/323166/05
• Type:
  Article 31 referrals

  This type of referral is triggered when the interest of the Union is involved, following concerns relating to the quality, safety or efficacy of a medicine or a class of medicines.

Key dates and outcomes

• CHMP opinion date:
  23/06/2005
• EC decision date:
  28/11/2005

All documents

Celecoxib, Etoricoxib, Lumiracoxib, Parecoxib, and Valdecoxib - Article 31 referral - Annex I, II, III

Adopted

Questions and answers on COX-2 inhibitors

Adopted Reference Number: EMEA/62978/2005

Opinion following an Article 31 referral for all medicinal products containing Celecoxib, Etoricoxib, Lumiracoxib, Parecoxib, and Valdecoxib International Non-Proprietary Name (INN): celecoxib: Background information

Adopted Reference Number: EMEA/CHMP/323166/2005

Description of documents published

Please note that some of the listed documents apply only to certain procedures.

• Overview - lay-language summary of the stage of the procedure
• Notification – a letter from a Member State, the European Commission or the marketing authorisation holder requesting the initiation of the procedure
• Scientific background – further background information from the triggering Member State on the issues leading to the initiation of the procedure (if applicable)
• List of questions – questions agreed by the Committee requesting further information from the marketing authorisation holder(s) / applicant(s) to evaluate the issues identified
• Timetable for the procedure – agreed timeframe to respond to the list of questions, to assess the issues and to adopt a conclusion
• List of medicines concerned by the procedure – medicine(s) / active substance(s) concerned, and marketing authorisation holder(s) / applicant(s)
• List of questions to be addressed by the stakeholders – call for data to be submitted by stakeholders (e.g. healthcare professionals, patient organisations, individual patients) (if applicable)
• Stakeholder submission form – form to be used by stakeholders to submit data (if applicable)
• Scientific conclusions – scientific conclusions of the PRAC and/or CHMP and/or CMDh
• Assessment report – PRAC or CHMP assessment and conclusions on the issues investigated, including divergent positions (if applicable)
• Divergent positions – divergent positions of the CHMP or CMDh members for pharmacovigilance procedures (if applicable)
• Changes to the summary of product characteristics, labelling and package leaflet (amended sections or fully revised version) (if applicable)
• Condition(s) to the marketing authorisation(s) – condition(s) for the safe and effective use of the medicine(s) (if applicable)
• Condition for lifting the suspension – condition to be fulfilled for the suspension of the marketing authorisation(s) to be lifted (if applicable)
• Timetable for implementation of CMDh position – agreed timeframe to submit and finalise the variation(s) implementing the outcome of the procedure (if applicable)

Note that older documents may have different titles.