 Risk of heart attack causes Merck to pull arthritis drug Vioxx off the market.
On September 30, 2004, Merck & Co., Inc. announced a voluntary withdrawal of Vioxx™, also known as rofecoxib, from the U.S. and worldwide market due to safety concerns of an increased risk of cardiovascular events in patients using Vioxx.
Vioxx is a prescription drug frequently taken to reduce pain, inflammation and stiffness caused by osteoarthritis, to manage pain in adults and to treat menstrual pain.
On September 17, 2001, the Food and Drug Administration issued a Warning Letter to Merck & Co., Inc., the manufacturer of Vioxx, for misrepresenting the safety of their prescription pain medication. According to the FDA letter, Merck's promotional activities and materials for Vioxx were "false, lacking in fair balance, or otherwise misleading in violation of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act" and applicable regulations.
A review article published in the prestigious Journal of the American Medical Association in late 2001, reported that Vioxx was associated with a significantly elevated relative risk of cardiac complications, stroke or even death.
Contact our law firm to discuss your use of Vioxx or an injury you have incurred.
Some people who have experienced damaging side effects of taking the drug Vioxx have filed individual lawsuits, while others are going to be part of a proposed class action lawsuit. On August 19, 2005, a Texas jury held drug giant Merck & Co. liable in the heart-related death of 59-year-old Wal-Mart produce manager Robert Ernst, a marathon runner who took its prescription painkiller Vioxx, slapping the company with a $253.4 million judgment.
More Info:
FDA announces withdrawal of Vioxx, September 30, 2004 |
