The Murky History of Merck's Vioxx

Merck's (MRK Quote) decision to withdraw its popular arthritis drug Vioxx from the market in late September has raised questions about the process leading up to its regulatory approval in 1999 as well as the importance of subsequent medical studies.

Here are some key dates in the Vioxx saga:

November 1998: Merck submits application to Food and Drug Administration seeking approval for the COX-2 inhibitor drug, Vioxx, as a treatment for osteoarthritis, on the basis of clinical trials involving 5,400 patients. Merck says rates of cardiovascular risk were "similar" among patients taking Vioxx, placebo or other pain relievers.

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