Merck is a big company. It sells drugs. It makes billions of dollars selling drugs. If it doesn't sell drugs, it makes no money. If its drugs are not approved by the FDA, it makes no money.
Merck made a drug called Vioxx. This drug was supposed to cure your arthritis. Merck obtained FDA approval to market and sell the drug. Merck sold millions of Vioxx, and made billions of dollars.
Problem: Vioxx has an unfortunate side-effect. It causes heart attacks.
So, why did the FDA approve a drug that treats arthritis, but causes heart attacks?
Well, according to former Merck honcho, Dr. Edward Scolnick, Merck failed to disclose to the FDA 2 placebo studies that demonstrated an excessive risk of heart attack in folks who take Vioxx.
Whoops.
Here's a good time-line about the Merck debacle.
Yes, I'm sure there's a lesson in there somewhere................
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