Merck ignored basic principles of science in Vioxx safety studies
Merck did not publicize data about an increased risk of death among Vioxx users in two Alzheimer’s studies because company researchers were so convinced about their beliefs that Vioxx was not the cause, despite the fact that actual data was proving them wrong. This shocking revelation about how little respect Merck scientists had for basic principles of research came from Alise Reicin, a senior level Merck scientist during cross examination by the attorney for Mike Humeston – an ex Marine who is suing the company claiming that his heart attack was caused by the drug.
Documents presented during the trial show that some company researchers noticed the unusually high number of deaths among Vioxx patients. Joshua Chen, a Merck statistics guru, crunched the data to discover that Vioxx patients were three times more likely to die than those on a placebo. The Vioxx research team simply ignored the data.
Another statistician, Deborah Shapiro, also found that the number of deaths in the two Alzheimer’s disease trial was 30 for Vioxx patients and 10 for placebo takers (3:1 ratio). In the FDA submission, however, Merck fabricated the data to show that Vioxx was not as dangerous as the data reported – 33 deaths for Vioxx versus 20 for placebo (1.7:1).
Due to several holidays in the United States this week, the trial has not progressed much. It is expected to pick up speed next week.
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