Healthy Skepticism Library item: 10813

Warning: This library includes all items relevant to health product marketing that we are aware of regardless of quality. Often we do not agree with all or part of the contents.

Publication type: news

New Study Suggests Vioxx's Ill-Effects Were Immediate -- WSJ
Seeking Alpha 2007 Jul 3
http://biz.yahoo.com/seekingalpha/070703/40019_id.html?.v=1

Full text:

Results from an unpublished study suggest increased heart risks associated with Merck’s Vioxx began immediately, and not after 18 months as the company has suggested — a discovery which could bode ill for its ongoing litigation. Merck was hit with about 28,000 lawsuits after pulling the drug in September 2004 over concerns about increased risk of heart attack and stroke. Of the 15 cases already judged, Merck has won 10 and lost five. Merck has argued the higher risks were only experienced by patients on long-term treatments of 18 months or more. The present study, known as Victor, was conducted by Oxford University scientists and has been accepted for publication by the New England Journal of Medicine. According to a manuscript reviewed by the Wall Street Journal, half of the cardiovascular incidents associated with Vioxx occurred in patients taking the drug for less than 12 months. Elevated risks went away within 14 days of cessation. In a statement, Merck’s outside counsel Ted Mayer said, “The reported findings with respect to confirmed thrombotic events in short-term use are not supported by the data found in the other available large placebo studies with Vioxx, including Alzheimer’s studies, ViP and Approve.”