Brian Deer: Vioxx - a killer painkiller

Patients never told of known Vioxx dangers

Trial and error: At the core of Deer's investigation was a UK clinical trial of Vioxx, known by the acronym "Victor". Among its volunteers was retired laboratory technician Kenneth Wood, of Madeley, Shropshire, who died of a heart attack after 17 months participation

A confidential Merck document, obtained during Deer's inquiries, showed that a hospital consultant said that Vioxx was "probably" responsible for Wood's death. An informed consent sheet, meanwhile, revealed that he had never been told of the possibly fatal side-effects long reported to be associated with the drug. Wood's widow, Margaret, only learnt the facts from Deer

Top British doctors behind approvals for drug

Powerful friends: The UK's top champion for Vioxx was Professor Michael Langman, former dean of Birmingham University's medical school, and not only a member of the drugs watchdog, the Committee on Safety of Medicines, but also co-principal investigator of the controversial Victor trial

The trial's other principal investigator was Professor David Kerr, of Oxford University, a major player in Labour party health circles. Both declined to be interviewed, but supplied statements, at these links. Both denied error, and said that the trial, which aimed to enroll 7,000, had been run to the "highest ethical and scientific standards"

Risks of Vioxx were known but not explained

Painkiller Vioxx linked to hundreds of UK deaths

Earlier report: Doctors have reported 103 deaths they suspect were due to the painkiller Vioxx, which was withdrawn from sale over safety fears last September. The figures released by the drug safety agency also show there were 7,150 adverse reactions to the drug during its five years on sale in Britain.

Experts say, however, that under-reporting through the government’s “yellow card” system, could mean the true death figure may be as high as 2,000. The Sunday Times, February 13 2005