Schering-Plough’s Vytorin shows “uncertainty”

A drug at the centre of a controversial trial has uncertain benefits and those taking it should instead use older pharmaceuticals, a panel of heart doctors has said.

Vytorin is manufactured by Schering-Plough and Merck (MSD), and has come under scrutiny following the discovery that it did not slow the clogging of arteries better than a generic drug sold for less.

Bloomberg reports that after reviewing trial data, the American College of Cardiology has advised people prescribed Vytorin to use older drugs that have proved their effectiveness at reducing the risk of death.

“This study provides no new evidence to support the use of this drug,” said Harlan Krumholz, a Yale University cardiologist speaking on behalf of the panel.

“It moves us to more uncertainty about the benefits.”

Vytorin is stated on its official website to be effective at blocking cholesterol from food and lowering the amount produced naturally in the body.