Merck wants it both ways in the Vioxx trial

On one hand Merck keeps arguing that Vioxx was always a safe drug and it is so sure about that it would like to market it again worldwide. But then it has a hard time defending data that shows that Vioxx was so dangerous that it killed as many as 60,000 Americans.

Merck scientist Alise Reicin admitted in the trial today that the company had considered an additive to the drug so that its side effects on the heart will be much lower. But do not start to believe that Merck was being open with the public when it was considering reformulating the painkiller. On the other hand the company was aggressively promoting Vioxx as the safest drug ever made in the history of mankind.

So the natural question everyone is asking if Vioxx was so safe and such a great drug, why would Merck want to change its formula?

That is a question that will be answered in the trial of the lawsuit brought by Frederick "Mike" Humeston, the plaintiff who claims that his heart attack was caused by the drug.

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