Vioxx Played Dodge Ball With Doctors Concers About its Safety
In 2001 Merck had a dilemma on its hands. A study indicated Vioxx's three-to-five fold increase in the risk of heart attack and other serious cardiovascular events. Doctors were asking questions. Why should they prescribe this drug if there are so many risks associated with the drug? Merck responded by arming their sales force with a pamphlet called "Dodge Ball". The pamphlet included information on how to respond to these doctors' questions while avoiding Vioxx's real risks.
Today there is no way for Merck to dodge the thousands of people that Vioxx has harmed.
A copy of the pamphlet is found here. Be prepared to be infuriated.
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