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Article: Principi prodded VA on Chantix; Ex-secretary asked if use would continue.(PAGE ONE)(EXCLUSIVE)
- Article from:
- The Washington Times (Washington, DC)
- Article date:
- July 9, 2008
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2008 The Washington Times LLC. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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Byline: Audrey Hudson and Jen Haberkorn, THE WASHINGTON TIMES
Former Veterans Affairs Secretary Anthony J. Principi contacted colleagues at his old agency as the chief lobbyist for drug maker Pfizer Inc. earlier this year, looking for updates on whether his company's smoking-cessation drug Chantix would remain on the VA's list of approved prescription drugs amid new warnings of dangerous side effects.
The government had just banned Chantix for use by pilots and air traffic controllers because of potential side effects on alertness and motor skills and had more broadly warned that the medicine could cause depression, suicidal thoughts and attempted ...