Merck Withdraws Arthritis Drug Vioxx

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20040930/ap_on_bi_ge/arthritis
_drug_recall&cid=509&ncid=716

4 minutes ago   Business - AP

By LINDA A. JOHNSON, AP Business Writer

TRENTON, N.J. - Pharmaceutical giant Merck & Co. is pulling its
blockbuster arthritis drug Vioxx from the market worldwide because new
data from a clinical trial found an increased risk of heart attack and
stroke.

Whitehouse Station-based Merck said Thursday that data from the trial
showed the increased risk of heart attack and other cardiovascular
complications began 18 months after patients started taking Vioxx.

The data comes from a three-year study aimed at showing that Vioxx at a
25 milligram dose prevents recurrence of polyps in the colon and
rectum. The trial was stopped after Merck discovered the higher heart
risk compared to patients taking dummy pills.
"It's a disaster for Merck..."

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