By NORM ALSTER, INVESTOR'S BUSINESS DAILY
Posted 03/21/2011 06:10 PM ET
Roughly 30 million Americans suffer from painful and often disabling migraine headaches.But for reasons that have baffled doctors and patients, Midrin and chemically identical meds like Epidrin have disappeared.
Midrin was the first drug that ever worked for Nancy (last name withheld), who previously suffered from crushing headaches that would have her vomiting and bed-ridden for days. "I've been using it for five years," said the Buffalo, N.Y., resident. "It stops the migraine."
The Food and Drug Administration has been pulling many drugs that were sold before laws in 1962 required testing for efficacy (safety tests have been mandated since 1938). This month it pulled 500 prescription cold, cough and allergy remedies off the market.
But the FDA, in a written reply to IBD queries, denies pulling Midrin-type drugs. It did seize products from a maker that didn't meet current manufacturing standards. Also, Excellium Pharmaceutical halted Epidrin production this year. But the FDA says it wasn't involved, and that the move was a "business decision."
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