Irish researchers played a central role in the story of how aspirin came to be given to reduce heart attack risk. Irish scientists showed how aspirin works in the body, how very low doses could be given and still have a positive effect, and how its benefits could be reduced if taken with popular anti-arthritis drugs.
Centre to this story is the winner of the 2005 Boyle Medal for Scientific Excellence, Prof Garrett FitzGerald. Last night the University of Pennsylvania-based medical researcher received his Boyle Medal and gave a public lecture on this research.
As chairman of UPenn's department of pharmacology, Prof FitzGerald, a Dubliner, helped to attract bright young Irish scientists to his research laboratories, where together they helped piece together the biochemical puzzle surrounding the use of low-dose aspirin to reduce heart attacks.
"What we did was explain the molecular action of aspirin and its effect on cardiovascular function and how this could be retained as you reduced the dose to silence aspirin's effects on the stomach," he explained before the lecture. "What is remarkable is how many young Irish researchers were involved in this."
Just as importantly, the research unexpectedly pointed to a heightened heart attack risk associated with the use of the popular anti-arthritis drugs Celebrex and Vioxx. The manufacturers of these drugs, Pfizer and Merck & Co respectively, dismissed Prof FitzGerald's findings that heart attack risk was increased in a small number of patients.
He identified a possible risk in research in 1997, and published this in 1999. It took until 2005, however, before Vioxx was withdrawn from the market. "It shows how you really have to stick to your guns," Prof FitzGerald said.
The Boyle Medal was first presented by the Royal Dublin Society in 1899. The RDS joined with The Irish Times in 1999 to relaunch the award scheme.
The medal is now given every second year. It is presented alternatively to a scientist working in Ireland and then an Irish-born scientist working abroad. The 2005 award is for the latter category, and highlights the seminal work done by many Irish scientists who have chosen to pursue their careers away from home.