Merck Withdraws Vioxx After Concealing Heart Attack Risk, FDA Failure Causes Estimated 28,000-55,000 Deaths

Merck voluntarily withdraws Vioxx (rofecoxib) from the market after concealing evidence that the blockbuster arthritis drug increases heart attack and stroke risk. Internal company documents reveal that Merck knew of cardiovascular dangers years before withdrawal, while the FDA failed to act on …