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News for the ‘News’ Category
Vytorin loses market strength … again
Clinical trials haven’t been kind to Vytorin, Merck and Schering-Plough’s cholesterol brainchild. The first blow was dealt by the ENHANCE study, which showed Vytorin to be no more effective than much cheaper generic statins. Next came results of the SEAS trial, which indicated a link between Vytorin and risk of cancer and death by cancer. A flurry of disputed interpretations, accusations, and controversy followed in the wake of the trials.
Merck speeds trial of new cholesterol drug
Following Vytorin’s recent fall from its blockbuster status, Merck is ratcheting up studies of its new cholesterol fighting drug, The Washington Times reported.
MK-0524A, as the new drug is called, is the subject of a study based in Oxford University in England. Merck submitted the drug to the FDA for approval, but it was rejected last April. The FDA wanted results from the study known as THRIVE (Treatment of HDL to Reduce the Incidence of Vascular Events) before it made another ruling.
scientist cautions against dismissing Vytorin-cancer link
Does Vytorin increase the risk of cancer death? The question seems like it would be simple to answer, yet finding the answer requires navigating through a murky labyrinth of botched test results, apparent cover-ups, possible payoffs, and a whorl of conflicting interpretations that sometimes resemble self-interest, sometimes truth, depending on whom you ask.
Vytorin, Zetia squeeze manufacturers
The cholesterol-fighting drugs Zetia and Vytorin, blockbuster drugs that once represented multi-billion dollar sales for Schering-Plough and Merck, now seem to be squeezing the pharmaceutical giants.
SEAS study may link Vytorin, cancer
Today in Munich, Germany, researchers presented all of the data from the SEAS (Simvastatin and Ezetimibe in Aortic Stenosis) study to the European Society of Cardiology. The SEAS study roused concern back in July when researchers revealed a possible link between cancer and the Zetia half of Vytorin.
Vytorin scandals evoke mistrust
Is Schering-Plough’s motto, “To Earn Trust, Every Day,” laced with a little irony these days? What about Merck’s maxim “Where patients come first?” Does it evoke feelings of warmth and trust or does it just induce rolling eyeballs?
Doctors say stay with statins
As news of Vytorin’s lackluster performance in clinical tests circulates throughout the medical community, many prominent physicians are advocating a return to the use of statins to treat high cholesterol. Statins, such as Crestor, Zocor, and Lipitor, lower the liver’s production of LDL (bad) cholesterol. Research shows that statins also reduce cardiac events by 60 percent and strokes by 17 percent.
