94% of patients suing Merck over rofecoxib agree to company’s offer

Rofecoxib, Merck, and the FDA.

The new england journal of medicine 2875 correspondence Rofecoxib, Merck, and the FDA to the editor: Merck has been proactive and conscientious in evaluating the cardiovascular profile of rofecoxib (Vioxx); Dr. Topol's remarks to the contrary in his Perspective article (Oct. 21 issue) 1 are false. First, his description of the time line obfus-cates the facts. The Food and Drug Administration (F...

Failing the public health--rofecoxib, Merck, and the FDA.

On May 21, 1999, Merck was granted approval by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to market rofecoxib (Vioxx). On September 30, 2004, after more than 80 million patients had taken this medicine and annual sales had topped $2.5 billion, the company withdrew the drug because of an excess risk of myocardial infarctions and strokes. This represents the largest prescription-drug withdrawal in hi...

The Cost of Suing Business

MRI, ultrasound offer hope to arthritis patients

Rheumatoid arthritis is characterized by chronic synovial inflammation, resulting in bone erosion and joint destruction. Diagnosis is based on clinical, laboratory, and radiologic findings. Conventional radiography has been the mainstay for diagnosis of joint damage and subsequent follow-up. X-rays can provide only indirect information on synovitis, however, and the modality is insensitive to e...

From fish poison to merck picrotoxin.

without loss of opioid analgesia. Clin Pharmacol Ther 2010; 87:204–11 5. Dahan A, Aarts L, smith TW: Incidence, reversal, and prevention of opioid-induced respiratory depression. ANEsThEsIoLogy 2010; 112:226–38 6. Boom M, Niesters M, sarton E, Aarts L, smith TW, Dahan A: Non-analgesic effects of opioids: opioid-induced respiratory depression. Curr Pharm Des 2012; 18:5994– 6004 7. okie s: A floo...