Vioxx

[Guest guest]

I thought this was interesting. Joyce (Dr Gross, LHR, 2/2/04)

Information taken off the internet, see website below.

Arthritis affects around 40 million Americans, causing pain and joint

deterioration.

VIOXX is Merck’s second largest-selling medicine, and it is this fact that

leaves Merck in the middle of 4 federal

lawsuits, a number of state lawsuits, individual claims, and class actions.

The FDA issued a “Warning Letter” to

Merck on September 17, 2001 to cease certain marketing efforts because

their promotional activities and materials

are “false, lacking in fair balance, or otherwise misleading in violation

of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic

Act and applicable regulations”.

The letter went on to say that “You have engaged in a promotional campaign

for VIOXX that minimizes the potentially

serious cardiovascular findings that were observed in the Vioxx

Gastrointestinal Outcomes Research,” referring

to the allegations that link the drug to problems like heart attacks,

stroke, sudden death, and blood clots.

The warning letter indicates that Merck has previously upset regulators.

Cardiovascular problems, such as heart attacks, stroke , sudden death and

blood clots has been linked to the use of

VIOXX. Patients who already have heart disease should be even more

conscious of the effects VIOXX can have

on their health. An analysis published in the Journal of American Medicine

studied the side affects of patients

taking VIOXX. Those included in the study seemed to have double the risk of

cardiovascular problems.

The government has ordered Merck & Co. to cease promotions aimed to get

doctors to prescribe its blockbuster

arthritis painkiller VIOXX, saying they minimize potential safety risks.

Three prominent patient advocacy groups have urged Merck & Co. and Parmacia

Corp. to test whether their hotselling

arthritis drugs increase the risk of heart attack and stroke, but the U.S.

drugmakers said they remain unconvinced

such safety trials are warranted.

VIOXX AND CELEBREX LEGAL HELP