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US House panel says probing Pfizer Lipitor ads

Mon Jan 7, 2008 5:30pm EST

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WASHINGTON, Jan 7 (Reuters) - A U.S. House of Representatives committee said on Monday it was probing Pfizer Inc (PFE.N) advertisements that feature heart specialist Robert Jarvik pitching its blockbuster cholesterol drug Lipitor, worried that consumers may be misled by its health claims.

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The House Energy & Commerce Committee said the probe was part of an investigation into celebrity endorsements of prescription medications.

"We are concerned that consumers may misinterpret the health claims of a prescription drug promoted in a direct-to-consumer advertisement utilizing a celebrity physician," Democratic lawmakers said in a letter to Pfizer. (Reporting by Lisa Richwine, editing by Jeffrey Benkoe)

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