Arthritis Drug Study - NYTimes.com We take strong issue with "Signs of Doubt and Deception in Documents on a Pain Drug" (front page, June 25), which ignores the relief that Celebrex has brought to millions with arthritis pain. The safety and efficacy of Celebrex have been studied for more than 15 years, including 158 clinical trials involving 95,000 patients. Your article was based on a single study that was widely discussed and appropriately disclosed in publications and presentations a decade ago. While the article quoted extensively from documents cited by critics, it largely dismissed the extensive contradictory evidence provided by the company. Before and since the study at issue, Celebrex has been extensively researched and continues to be trusted by doctors and patients alike, reflecting their experience with its pain relief and tolerability. The writer, a doctor, is a senior vice president at Pfizer and head of the medicines development group in its primary care unit.