According to estimates by the FDA's senior drug safety researcher, Dr. David Graham, the drug Vioxx caused over 140,000 heart attacks in patients, likely killing more than 60,000 Americans who took the drug.
Friday, August 18, 2006
A nation asleep: the Vioxx deception put into perspective
Monday, July 31, 2006
Is The FDA Too Cozy With Drug Makers?
Dr. Graham butted heads with his FDA managers in trying to get the word out about Vioxx's risks.
"The FDA officials didn't want to allow me to present my work at a scientific conference, but at the same time they wanted to be sure that Merck had a copy of my scientific presentation," Dr. Graham said. "So it's good enough for Merck, but it's not good enough for the American people?"
Wednesday, July 19, 2006
Merck Not Losing Sleep Over Vioxx Disaster
"[Merck] believes that lower court cases will be overturned on appeal, and it is even considering trying to reintroduce Vioxx."
The FDA is unlikely to allow that!
Friday, July 14, 2006
Is Pet Version of Vioxx Safe?
"With pets living longer and becoming more important members of the family than ever, the demand for pet pharmacology has grown and the drugs they take are very similar to the ones we're prescribed. So, when a drug we use is pulled off the market, should you be concerned if your pet is taking its equivalent?"
Wow. Only in America, I guess.
Friday, July 07, 2006
Merck Legal Team Makes A Killing Off Losing Vioxx Strategy
[T]he company has not set aside one dime for potential damage awards in Vioxx trials through 2007. Which means the only good news to report as far as Merck's legal strategy of a case by case defense of thousands of lawsuits in the years ahead, is that the company's legal team will keep raking in dough while Merck slowly goes under.
An interesting article, although I don't know about Merck "going under," as it has quite a few high-profile drugs in the pipeline that analysts say could be huge earners.
Witness says studies showed Vioxx users at risk of heart ailments
Patients who took the painkiller Vioxx were at risk of heart attacks and stroke - something shown by studies conducted years before the product went on the market, a doctor testified Wednesday.
Monday, July 03, 2006
Judge Signs Final Judgment in First Vioxx Trial
Ten months after a jury in Angleton returned a $253.4 million verdict in the nation's first Vioxx trial, 23rd District Judge Ben Hardin signed a final judgment awarding the plaintiffs $26.1 million in damages, plus $1.25 million in pre-judgment interest.
It has been a long road to this award.
Friday, June 30, 2006
Key Vioxx Claim Withdrawn
The journal that published a key Merck study has withdrawn the conclusion that it takes 18 months for Vioxx to increase patients' risk of heart attack and stroke, potentially dealing a blow to the drug company, both in its public image and its legal battles.
This is huge news for Vioxx litigants.
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