While many of you are aware of the recent media attention surrounding the withdrawal of Vioxx from the global market, what you may not be aware of is the history behind Merck's belated decision to pull Vioxx.

Since at least 2000, Merck was aware of the potential link between Vioxx and elevated heart risks. That year a clinical trial, conducted for other reasons, showed the alarming tendency of Vioxx to increase cardiovascular problems. While Merck was made aware of this data, Merck decided NOT to conduct individual trials of its own to determine if this was true. They decided even the implication of a connection would damage their reputation and slowdown sales on their top money maker, Vioxx, who's sales amounted to $2.5 billion last year.

The first major critical study of Vioxx appeared in the American Medical Association in 2001. Once this study was published, scientists again called for specific trials to see if Vioxx increased the risk of heart attack and stroke, Merck refused, calling the study faulty. In October of 2002, another study connected Vioxx to health problems, this one was conducted at Vanderbilt University. Once again Merck dismissed the study as faulty based on research methods alone. Three separate studies on Vioxx were published in 2004, the first in April. All three, two by Harvard Medical School and one by an FDA researcher, linked Vioxx to increased risk for heart attacks. This time Merck finally listened.

As a result of their ignoring repeated warnings, Merck now faces Congressional and Justice Department investigations. Despite warnings from the Food and Drug Administration for minimizing Apotentially serious cardiovascular findings and warning from numerous outside clinical trials with similar results, Merck continued to heavily market Vioxx including million dollar direct to consumer marketing campaigns which bypassed doctors, many of whom were already suspicious of Vioxx.

John D. Giddens Law Firm is currently accepting clients who have taken the drug Vioxx and have suffered a heart attack, stoke and related serious medical complications. If you, a loved one, family member or close personal friend have suffered a heart attack or stroke while taking or as a result of prolonged taking of Vioxx, please contact us immediately. Of course, your consultation will be free, it is important to contact us as soon as possible.