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In a recent shock decision, the manufacturing giant that produces Vioxx pulled the drug from the US market voluntarily. This followed test results that indicated that Merck Vioxx significantly increased the chances of strokes and heart attacks in patients using the medication. This signified a rather disappointing ending for a drug that only five years earlier was being hailed the miracle drug that could provide the benefits of a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug without the associated gastric problems that usually came with an NSAID.
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Due to it’s popularity, Merck Vioxx went on to reap billions in profits for the manufacturer – an estimated eight billions dollars in the space of five years. Merck Vioxx was widely prescribed for osteoarthritis, menstrual cramps, and adult pain management. This cox-2 inhibitor was prescribed to millions of patients, all of who took the drug without question or concern. Unknown to these patients, Merck Vioxx was able to reduce the risk of gastric problems commonly associated with NSAIDs only by increasing the risk of potentially fatal problems such as strokes and heart attacks.
Merck Vioxx was recalled in the US on 30 th September 2004, and although the FDA (Food and Drugs Administration) did not initiate the recall they are assisting Merck with the co-ordination of the recall in order to make it as fast and efficient as possible. However, admirable as it may seem that Merck have voluntarily recalled Vioxx from the US market, several reports have been circulated that indicate that Merck may have known about the dangers of Merck Vioxx several years ago. If this is the case – which is still not clear – then Merck Vioxx will have been marketed as a super-drug under false pretences.
Following the discovery of the potential effects of Merck Vioxx, the FDA has stated that it will be putting far more stringent measures in place to ensure the safety of medication before it is approves, in order to avoid drugs slipping through the net as appears to be the case with Merck Vioxx. The FDA have already admitted that it is not always possible to predict the potential hazards of a drug during preliminary clinical trials, and that sometimes the dangers of a drug do not emerge until after it has been approved and distributed.
With regards to the claims that the manufacturer knew about the dangers of Merck Vioxx several years ago, and still went on to market it as some sort of wonder drug, these allegations have been disputed by Vioxx manufacturer, Merck. However, these denials do not seem to have impacted on worried shareholders, and following the recall of the drug Merck shares fell through the floor. After allegations were made that Merck knew about the dangers of Merck Vioxx a long time ago, shares plummeted even further.
The recall of Merck Vioxx, and more importantly the evidence illustrating that this drug can increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes, is likely to spawn a vast number of legal cases. This was a widely distributed drug and could therefore result in a huge number of lawsuits. Some law firms have already started legal proceedings on behalf of clients that were taking Merck Vioxx and have suffered some form of ill effect, or those that have been taking the drug long enough to be at increased risk of heart attacks and strokes.
Although Merck Vioxx has now been withdrawn from the market, only time will tell how much damage this drug may have caused to long-term users, and how Merck will survive the many compensation claims that are likely to be filed against it. Those that have been taking Merck Vioxx are simply advised to see their GPs to discuss alternative treatment, keep an eye out for any ill effects, and seek legal advice with regards to filing an individual or a class action lawsuit.