Merck Found Liable for Death in First Vioxx Case
Business
Widow Awarded $250 Million in Vioxx Death Suit()
August 19, 2005 A Texas jury finds pharmaceutical giant Merck liable for the death of a man who took the painkiller Vioxx. The suit, one of thousands against the drug maker, was filed by the widow of a man who died of an irregular heart rhythm after taking Vioxx for less than a year.
Health
Part 1: Documents Suggest Merck Tried to Censor Vioxx Critics ()
June 9, 2005 Merck documents show that in 2000, the maker of Vioxx tried to censor critics of the drug's safety. That was the year that drug giant Merck learned that Vioxx might cause heart attacks and other problems. The documents show a concerted effort by the company to identify doctors who were raising questions about the drug's safety and to put pressure on them to stop making critical comments. A spokesman for Merck denies the allegations.
Health
Part 2: Did Merck Try to Censor Vioxx Critics? ()
June 9, 2005 NPR's story about Merck and its efforts to suppress safety concerns about the painkiller Vioxx continues with a look at how Merck exerted its influence in the world of top medical institutions. NPR's Snighda Prakash reports.
Health
Medical Schools and Drug Firm Dollars()
June 9, 2005 NPR surveyed medical schools to find out how much they depend on money from the drug industry.
Health
Merck Pulls Arthritis Drug Vioxx from Market ()
September 30, 2004 Pharmaceutical giant Merck & Co. is pulling its arthritis drug Vioxx from the market after a government study confirmed long-standing concerns that it raises the risk of heart attack and stroke. NPR's Richard Knox reports.
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