Schering, Merck encourage patients to pressure their doctors on questionable drugs


From Reuters, 1/20/08:
http://www.reuters.com/article/domesticNews/idUSN2032668020080120

Schering, Merck defend cholesterol drugs in ads

NEW YORK (Reuters) -

Schering-Plough Corp and Merck & Co are defending their shared
cholesterol treatments, Vytorin and Zetia, in advertisements after a
failed study generated negative publicity.

The companies released results on Monday showing that Vytorin failed
its primary goal of preventing fatty plaque buildup in carotid
arteries more effectively than the widely used generic cholesterol
fighter, Zocor, leading some cardiologists to question Vytorin's
value.

Vytorin combines Zetia and Zocor, known generically as simvastatin,
into one pill.

Vytorin did cut levels of "bad" LDL cholesterol more than Zocor,
although that was not the study's main focus.

A full-page ad in The New York Times on Sunday said that Vytorin and
Zetia users "may be worried about recent news stories questioning the
benefit of these medicines...on the basis of a single study that has
generated a lot of confusion."

The ad cites the drugs' ability to lower LDL cholesterol and urges
patients to follow their doctors' recommendations on taking prescribed
medicines.

"All of us at Merck and Schering-Plough proudly stand behind the
established efficacy and safety profiles of Zetia and Vytorin," the ad
says.

Under the main text of the ad appears the names of top medical
officers at the companies, which jointly sell Zetia and Vytorin.

Similar ads also appeared in the Wall Street Journal and the
Star-Ledger of Newark, New Jersey, Schering-Plough spokesman Lee
Davies said.

____________________________________________________

Where's the FDA?

Harry
.

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