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Chicago Injury Lawyer Scott Wolfman & Associates - Law Firm

Defective Drugs / Pharmaceuticals

The pharmaceutical industry now spends billions of dollars every year to develop and market prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) drugs. Unfortunately, pharmaceutical companies sometimes fail to share all information about adverse effects of a drug, and as a result, physicians and consumers are not aware of the potential reactions that they might face. People are also sometimes harmed when their pharmacists improperly fill their prescriptions by either dispensing incorrect dosages, or even worse, the wrong prescription entirely. Other times, patients are permanently
injured or worse, killed, by defective drugs. For more information call us at Scott Wolfman & Associates, P.C. today.

Vioxx Recalled for Suspected Link to Heart Conditions

On September 30, 2004, Merck Pharmaceuticals voluntarily withdrew the drug Vioxx from the market. The withdrawal came at the conclusion of a long clinical study to test the effectiveness of the drug on the reduction of colon polyps. During that study, it became clear that people on the drug for more than eighteen months were at twice the risk for heart attacks, strokes, and other serious cardiovascular events.

Released in 1999, Vioxx is part of a class of drugs called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAID). Specifically, Vioxx inhibits proteins called cyclo-oxygenase 1 and 2 (COX 1 & 2). Inhibiting these proteins help control pain and inflammation it the body. However, in some instances the inhibition of these proteins causes the platelets in the blood to become sticky. The platelets collect together and in turn cause blood clots, seriously disrupting the cardiovascular system. Merck’s recent studies have confirmed this type of negative side effect in Vioxx.

During Merck’s VIGOR (Vioxx Gastrointestinal Outcomes Research) study in 1999, they discovered that risk of death and cardiovascular events with Vioxx was considerably higher than other drugs in the same group. The APPROVe (Adenomatous Polyp Prevention on VIOXX) study in 2004 confirmed the deleterious effects Vioxx had on those who took the drug for more than eighteen (18) months.
Merck, however, downplayed the studies and continued to market the drug. Not until the most recent study did Merck decide to withdraw the drug.

Sales of Vioxx worldwide reached $2.5 billion last year alone. If you or someone you know has been a victim of a Vioxx related injury , contact an
attorney for a consultation.