After approval from the Food and Drug Administration in 1999, VIOXX was introduced as an anti-inflammatory drug for the treatment of acute pain and arthritis. Five-and-a-half years later, over 80 million patients in more than 80 countries have received treatment.
On September 30, 2004, Merck & Co., Inc. announced a voluntary worldwide withdrawal of VIOXX® (rofecoxib), its arthritis and acute pain medication. The company’s decision, which is effective immediately, is based on new, three-year data from a prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial, the APPROVe (Adenomatous Polyp Prevention on VIOXX) trial.
With a variety of debilitating side-effects and symptoms, including abdomenal pain, strokes, and heart attacks, the decision to pull VIOXX from pharmacies and drug stores seems to be an intelligent decision. But why was it not pulled sooner? Was profit a motive behind letting an unsafe pharmaceutical be prescribed?
Every day new lawsuits emerge against Merck & Co., Inc.
Common drugs and pharmaceuticals related to Vioxx lawsuits include:
- Celebrex
- Bextra
- Arcoxia
- Ephedra
If you or anyone you know has taken Vioxx and has experienced difficulties due to the drug, contact our vioxx lawyer and receive a free case evaluation.
|
