November 1, 2004

Internal Evidence Illustrates Merck Aware of Vioxx Risks Years Ago

The Wall Street Journal has reported internal emails and other documents from Merck & Co. show the drug company may have fought for years to keep Vioxx safety concerns from injuring the high generating sales of the drug instead of from patients. Vioxx was withdrawn after evidence the popular drug caused double the risk of heart attack and stroke in patients who had been taking it for at least 18 months was shown. Merck claims it immediately acted when discovering adverse effects were linked to Vioxx, but evidence shows the company may have been avoiding signs for years.

Vioxx generated $2.5 billion in annual sales but may now be facing much higher costs in litigation as a result of the recall announcement. According to an email dated March 9, 2000, written by the Merck research chief at the time, the Vioxx cardiovascular events "are clearly there," described as being a "shame". Still, Merck continued to publicly deny links between Vioxx and dangerous health effects were present.

A November 21, 1996 dated memorandum by a Merck official illustrated the company was struggling with the drug's potential to cause cardiac events, with another email highlighting the possibility of blood clots among patients not also given aspirin. A lawyer representing Merck has said the emails and documents have been taken out of context, and Merck continues to claim it has acted "responsibly and appropriately".

For more information on the Vioxx recall, please contact us to confer with a Vioxx Recall Lawyer and learn your legal rights and options.

 

Click here for more Vioxx news....

 

Back to Top ^