Merck Vioxx study claims disputed

Scientists have disputed the validity of Merck’s claim that the increase in the number of heart attacks in patients who stopped taking the painkiller was “not statistically significant”.

Last week Merck released the results of the APPROVe study where it concluded that the data was insufficient to conclude that Vioxx was to blame for any increased risk of heart attacks and strokes and as such, any increases were deemed to be statistically insignificant.

However, Dr Steven Nissen, interim chairman of cardiology at the Cleveland Clinic, said that Merck’s claims were misleading and told Reuters: “It’s important that we inform people about this because patients who have taken the drug will need increased surveillance by their physicians and increased awareness of their risks in the year subsequent to stopping the drug.”

“What counts is the relative risk as you go forward and the bottom line is there is a constant risk even after the drug is stopped. That is the only clear message from the study. The rest is spin,” he concluded.

Merck stopped selling Vioxx in 2004 after it was found that it increased the likelihood of suffering a heart attack or stroke when using the painkiller. The company has had over 11,000 lawsuits filed against it in the US, of which it said it would fight each case individually. According to the New York Times, five cases have so far reached court of which Merck has lost three in cases, where the jury awarded the plaintiffs more than $10 million (5.27 million pounds) in each instance.

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