Vioxx defense dealt a blow by new study results

A key part of Merck's Vioxx defense has been its assertion that the drug didn't demonstrate any heightened risk of cardiovascular incidents until 18 months after patients began taking the drug. But now a new study suggests that the heightened risks began immediately after patients began to start taking the drug. A pre-publication copy of the study was obtained by The Wall Street Journal. The study found that half of the cardiovascular incidents among Vioxx patients occurred within 12 months of the inception of therapy.

- check out the Journal's report (sub. req.)

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