MetaFilter posts tagged with Merck

Pharma reps from another planet

Mister_A — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 13:07:10 -0800

Feast your senses (including, perhaps, your sense of outrage) on this Merck Vioxx sales training video, presented in 3 parts without commercial interruption (heh) by the often interesting Pharmalot. Vioxx was pulled from the market a few years ago because of cardiovascular risks (increased incidence of MI associated with Vioxx in clinical trials and post-marketing reporting). There is currently a huge class-action suit going on over Vioxx deaths, so it is interesting to see what Merck brass was telling the reps back in the early 2000's. Of particular interest is the bit about Vioxx and MI (heart attack) about 2:15 into the second clip.

It's a Beautiful Morning?

Otis — Thu, 30 Sep 2004 10:51:26 -0800

In September 2001 the FDA warned Merck, makers of the painkiller Vioxx, for engaging in a promotional campaign that minimized "potentially serious cardiovascular findings." The previous year, Merck spent $161 million on Vioxx advertising (more than Pepsi or Budweiser spent on advertising that year). Earlier this year, a securities class action complaint was filed on behalf of several Merck investors alleging the company engaged in a marketing campaign that included false and misleading statements concerning the safety profile of Vioxx and that company insiders sold personally held shares of Merck for over $175 million in proceeds. Today, Merck withdrew Vioxx from the market.

gsh — Wed, 07 Mar 2001 13:22:57 -0800

Merck to lower prices of HIV drugs for Africa It's not perfect and it's not much of a decrease, but it's a start and long overdue.