The European Medicines Agency said this week that pending the conclusion of its review of Cox-2 inhibitors, expected in June 2005, Bextra should not be reintroduced in the European Union market.
Hearings are to be held with the companies at the next CHMP meeting May 23-26.
Since the April 7 withdrawal in the U.S., Bextra sales have also been suspended in the European Union, Canada, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, South Africa, the Philippines and Mexico.
The review of Cox-2 inhibitors by EMEA began in October 2004 at the request of the European Commission.
