Pfizer Inc. Chief Executive Hank McKinnell says the companys Bextra anti-inflammatory drug will probably return to the market because of patient demand, according to Reuters. 

Last month, the Food and Drug Administration forced Manhattan-based Pfizer to suspend sales of the Cox-2 inhibitor drug because of concerns about its health risks, and said Celebrex, another Cox-2 inhibitor, should carry a black box warning the strongest possible caution.

Late last year, Pfizer put a black box warning on Bextra, citing cardiovascular risks, and the risk of a rare but fatal skin rash.

In an interview with Reuters today, following a speech at an HIV/AIDS prevention meeting in Atlanta, Mr. McKinnell said Bextra was the best choice or the only choice for some patients.

The company issued a statement, saying it plans to discuss options with the FDA under which Bextra might be made available to those patients.