Novartis AG

Australia's drugs watchdog had ordered the recall of the anti-inflammatory medication Prexige after it was linked to two deaths. Technically called lumiracoxib, Prexige is produced by the Switzerland-based company Novartis AG, which said it had contacted health authorities in 50 countries where the drug is sold about the withdrawal. The move followed a review of eight cases where people suffered severe liver damage after using the drug. Two of those people died and another two required liver transplants. Prexige is taken by about 60,000 people in Australia and is prescribed for osteoarthritis, post-operative pain, pain related to dental procedures and painful menstruation. The TGA has recommended people taking Prexige seek an alternative medication and have liver function blood tests. It is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, technically called a Cox-2 inhibitor. Another Cox-2 inhibitor, Vioxx or Rofecoxib, was voluntarily recalled by manufacturer Merck in 2004 due to adverse health conditions in patients taking it.