Dive Brief:
- An FDA panel has rejected Pfizer's request to drop the black box suicide, hostility, and depression warning for its controversial smoking cessation drug Chantix.
- Pfizer has already paid out $300 million to settle more than 2,500 lawsuits involving Chantix since 2009.
- The FDA says Pfizer must collect more rigorous post-marketing surveillance data on Chantix before the panel can recommend removing the bolded warning.
Dive Insight:
Pfizer may have lost this particular battle on Chantix, but it's sure to keep fighting the war. The pharma giant has been grappling with consumer watchdog groups about the drug for a half-decade, and it's unlikely to stop anytime soon.