WASHINGTON (AP) — A panel of federal health experts says a long-
established bone strengthening drug should no longer be used by
women because there is little evidence it works and it may
actually increase the risk of cancer. The Food and Drug
Administration panel voted 12-9 that the risks of the inhalable
osteoporosis drug outweigh its benefits when used to treat
brittle bones. The drug, known chemically as calcitonin salmon,
has been prescribed for osteoporosis in postmenopausal women
since the 1980s. Currently, Novartis and Upsher-Smith market the
drug in nasal spray form as Miacalcin and Fortical,
respectively. But health authorities around the world have been
reviewing the drug's safety after two recent studies showed a
slightly higher rate of cancer among patients taking calcitonin
pills. The drug is also available as an injection to treat other
conditions, including excess calcium in the blood. The European
Medicines Agency concluded last July that calcitonin should no
longer be used to treat osteoporos