Pfizer, battling for its Lipitor drug which is now facing generic competition from simvastatin, has trotted out one-time artificial heart inventor Dr. Robert Jarvik for what have become ubiquitous TV ads. But the Wall Street Journal's health blog reports a new twist to the Dr. J story. Excerpt:
Now Congress has seen enough of Jarvik to ask Pfizer some questions about his qualifications to be recommending the cholesterol buster.The House Committee on Energy and Commerce said today that it is investigating the use of celebrity endorsements in marketing prescription drugs directly to consumers. And Jarvik is Celebrity No. 1 on the list.
“In the ads, Dr. Jarvik appears to be giving medical advice, but apparently, he has never obtained a license to practice or prescribe medicine,� John Dingell (D-Mich.), chairman of the committee, said in a press release.
Hi,
If you ever get to talk to Dr. Jarvik could you PLEASE ask him for me, because I can't get a answer from him or his wife on this,,, Ask him "WHY?" is it that I can't walk anymore, can't put shoes on either of my feet for over 2 years now, had Blood Trans. for weeks, my ankles were over 17" around, plus my legs were so large that they were going to take me into surgery to "FLAY" me wide open like a fish because they said my legs were going to "split open", Havn't been with my wife of 31 years for 2 years now , all because of this "LIPITOR DRUG" and there are many more problems with me because of this drug. And there are many people out there suffering from the "LIPITOR" also. Just type it up on a search engine one time and look. He has been hiding from me for 2 years now and I have done everything I know of to contact him, so if you do, please give him my e-mail address, PLEASE !!
Thanks Tim Monnier, Spooner, Wi 54801