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Drug manufacturing giant, Merck, recently rocked the medical world by withdrawing a drug that was once hailed a wonder drug from the US market. This followed trials and tests that indicated that the drug, Vioxx, increased the risk of heart attacks and strokes in long term users. Vioxx was introduced and approved by the Food and Drugs Administration in May 1999. For five years it was widely prescribed for osteoarthritis, menstrual cramps, and adult pain, offering patients the benefits of a non-steroid anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) without the usual associated gastric problems. However, when the recent results came to light with regards to the increased risk of heart attacks and strokes caused by vioxx, the drug was recalled from the US market by Merck.
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Although the Vioxx recall was a voluntary measure taken by the drug’s manufacturer, the whole process has been co-ordinated with the FDA, the agency that approved the drug for nationwide distribution in 1999. The vioxx recall means that all stocks of the drug will have to be returned by drug stores, hospitals and surgeries. Merck have also provided details for vioxx patients to return unused stocks of the drug, for which a refund will be issued. Any patients affected by the vioxx recall – those that were taking this medication on a regular basis – are advised to seek medical assistance and to discuss alternative medication with their GPs.
Vioxx, the former ‘wonder drug’, netted Merck a cool eight billions dollars in the space of just five years. However, the vioxx recall is certain to have deeply negative financial repercussions for the company. Worse still could be the many compensation claims and lawsuits that are likely to stem from the vioxx recall. Although Merck arranged the vioxx recall on a voluntary basis, several journals have made allegations – based upon what they state is documented evidence – that Merck knew of the danger associated with the drug years ago, prior to its FDA approval and subsequent marketing and distribution. These journals have stated that the vioxx recall should have been initiated years ago, since the manufacturer supposedly knew of the increased risks. Should this prove to be the case, Merck stand to lose even more on successful lawsuits and compensation payouts.
The vioxx recall followed a number of studies in which the potential dangers of the drug were illustrated. Although Merck had already carried out its own recent trials the company claimed that there was not sufficient evidence to justify a vioxx recall at that time. However, the results from subsequent tests appeared to prove beyond a doubt that the drug posed sufficient danger to warrant a mass vioxx recall, and with the assistance of the FDA Merck began the task of pulling the drug from the market.
What does the vioxx recall mean to patients? For patients, the vioxx recall means discussing alternative treatment with their GP. However, for many it is the beginning of a worrying time, and patients that have been taking this drug regularly should seek medical advice as well as legal assistance with a view to filing a compensation claim for harm or injury caused by taking this drug. For Merck, the vioxx recall is simply the start of a very trying time, which could cost them huge sums of cash and their reputation.
In the meantime, following the vioxx recall doctors are preparing for an influx of patients looking to get advice on alternative treatments. At the same time, vioxx lawyers are preparing themselves for a mass influx of compensation claims and lawsuit enquiries from affected patients that wish to file a claim against Merck.