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The recent recall of Merck Vioxx, followed by several allegations that drug manufacturing giant Merck knew that Vioxx produced potentially deadly side effects, has created both controversy and concerns over recent weeks. Concern have been raised no just over the possibility that Merck may have been aware of the danger of Vioxx before it was even approved, but also over the fact that this drug managed to slip through the FDA’s safety net and secure approval in 1999.
Sen. Charles Grassley of Iowa, the Republican chairman of the Senate Finance Committee has now called for a hearing. Raymond Gilmartin, Chairman of Merck, and Lester Crawford, Acting FDA Commissioner are both expected to appear, although it is not yet clear whether they will face questioning or simply appear to make statements.
Merck is already facing a large number of lawsuits from patients that have put faith in Vioxx over the past five years, and have now found themselves at increased risk of suffering a heart attack or a stroke. Even shareholders are looking into legal action against Merck for misleading them. Having made billions of dollars in profits over the past five years, Merck now faces an uncertain future shrouded in accusations, falling share prices, and multiple legal proceedings.
On September 30 th 2004, drug manufacturing giant Merck pulled its wonder drug, the cox-2 inhibitor Vioxx, from the US market. The company’s decision came following studies that indicated that this drug could lead to a significantly higher risk of heart attacks and strokes in patients that had been taking it on a long term basis, counter acting the fact that it reduced the risk of gastric problems in comparison to other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
Although Merck recalled Vioxx on a voluntary basis, several journals have already made allegations against the pharmaceutical giant, stating that there is evidence to prove that Merck knew all about the drug’s potentially fatal side effects before it was even approved or marketed, and that the drug should therefore have been pulled from the market years ago – or better still should never have gained approval from the FDA in the first place.
Merck has now stated that it has proof that the company’s staff were not aware of the dangers of Vioxx, and plans to produce documentation of this to present at a hearing that has been arranged to investigate these allegations further. Merck was quick to deny all allegations made by the journals, and used the company website to try and reassure concerned parties that nobody at Merck was aware of any such side effects, and as soon as tests indicated that there were such potential dangers, the drug was recalled.
Following the recent recall of cox-2 inhibitor drug, Vioxx, patients have been advised to seek medical advice from their doctor with regards to an alternative. Vioxx was prescribed to treat osteoarthritis, menstrual cramps, and adult pains, and was widely used by many people since its time of approval in 1999 to its recall in September 2004. Vioxx was voluntarily recalled by its manufacturer, Merck, following evidence that it increases the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
Although there are other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs on the market, these have been causing concern for many years, since that also inhibit the cox-1 enzyme, which plays an important role in protecting the stomach lining. Patients on these traditional NSAIDs often suffered with gastric problems.
However, research is now being carried out into the positive effects of fish oils and omega-3 fatty acids, with a view to replacing drugs such as Vioxx with natural and nutritious remedies such as these. Current results have shown that this drug free solution can prove as effective as anti-inflammatory drugs, and can provide the relief and benefits without the dangers and side effects. It is thought that fish oils and omega-3 fatty acids could work out to be cheaper, healthier, safer and just as effective in beating pain and inflammation.