Heart burn drugs

With reference to the article Plavix Heart Burn Drugs Combined Raise Heart Risk (March 5), on behalf of Sanofi-Aventis I would like to state the following.

Sanofi-Aventis/Bristol Myers Squibb are working with the FDA and conducting studies to obtain additional information that will allow us to understand and characterise the factors that may influence this complex issue.

As stated in the FDA press release, health care providers should continue to prescribe and patients should continue to take clopidogrel (Plavix®) as directed, because clopidogrel (Plavix®) has demonstrated benefits in preventing blood clots that could lead to a heart attack or stroke. Health care providers should re-evaluate the need for starting or continuing treatment with a PPI (proton pump inhibitor), in patients taking clopidogrel (Plavix®). Patients taking clopidogrel (Plavix®) should consult with their health care provider if they are currently taking or considering taking a PPI.

Plavix® has been prescribed to more than 90 million patients worldwide during the 11 years it has been on the market and is recommended in national and international guidelines for the treatment of certain cardiovascular conditions.