Merck Recalls Vioxx

Trenton, N.J. - Pharmaceutical giant Merck & Co. is pulling its blockbuster arthritis drug Vioxx from the market worldwide because new data from a clinical trial found an increased risk of heart attacks and stroke.

Whitehouse Station-based Merck said Thursday that data from the trial showed the increased risk of heart attack and other cardiovascular complications began 18 months after patients started taking Vioxx.

The data comes from a three-year study aimed at showing that Vioxx at a 25 milligram dose prevents recurrence of polyps in the colon and rectum. The trial was stopped after Merck discovered the higher heart risk compared to patients taking dummy pills.

"We're taking this action because we believe it best serves the interest of patients," Ray V. Gilmartin, Merck's chairman, president and chief executive, said in a prepared statement. "Although we believe it would have been possible to continue to market Vioxx with labeling that would incorporate these data, given the availability of alternative therapies and the questions raised by the data, we concluded that a voluntary withdrawal is the responsible course to take," he said.

Merck, the world's third biggest drug maker, announced the news before the stock market opened. In pre-market activity on the New York Stock Exchange (news-Web sites), Merck shares plunged 14.1 percent, or $6.35, to $38.72.

Vioxx is one of Merck's most important drugs, with $2.5 billion in sales in 2003. But sales dipped 18 percent in the second quarter of this year to $653 million.

Merck is scheduled to release financial results for the third quarter, which ends today, on Oct. 21.

By Linda A. Johnson, AP Business Writer

Priority Health recommends anyone currently using the prescription Vioxx contact their physician to discuss alternatives.