In an email to Linda Grassie on January 20, 2005, Jean Townsend asked:

This is the latest info they have for Dogs - Oral medication

Reviews - 12, 247 -- Treated - 12,919 -- Reacted - 12,516 -- Died - 2,349

These figures have not changed since October, 2004. I don't know why that is?

Ms. Grassies' response was: (posted with permission)

Dear Jean:

This is in reply to your inquiry about the numbers for Rimadyl ADEs on our database.

As you know, CVM has a limited number of people who evaluate ADEs and enter information into the database. Since we have limited resources and staff, we concentrate on ADEs to more recently approved drugs. This is because we have found that unexpected ADEs tend to show up in the first years after the approval. A case in point is the heartworm drug, Proheart 6, which is the subject of an advisory committee meeting next week.

This is in contrast with products such as Rimadyl that have been on the market for some time. We have not seen new, unexpected ADEs for a while for Rimadyl.

We do continue to encourage filing of ADE reports for any approved animal drugs, and we will review these ADEs as soon as possible.

Sincerely yours,

Linda (Grassie)