Scientist to raise Vioxx death toll: report

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Mon. Jan. 3 2005 10:27 AM ET
Scientist to raise Vioxx death toll: report
Associated Press

NEW YORK - Embattled drug-maker Merck may be in for more problems as a scientist reportedly is raising estimates of those who suffered ill-effects from Vioxx.

The Financial Times reports that Food and Drug Administration scientist David Graham has vowed to publish research that suggests up to 139,000 Americans died or have been seriously injured as a result of taking the drug.

Graham originally estimated in August that 28,000 Americans had died or suffered debilitating heart attacks as a result of taking Vioxx. The revised version of a paper by Graham likely will fuel debate over the effectiveness of the U.S. drug regulatory system and may spur additional litigation against Vioxx-maker Merck. Merck withdrew Vioxx from the market in the fall after it identified health risks in its own study of the drug.

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