Merck intimidated Vioxx critics, Seeger charges

In the Mike Humeston versus Merck trial, we have already heard how drugmakers abuse the FDA. The opinions of Ed Scolnick are very enlightening to anyone who ever plans to work at the FDA. If this is the opinion the drug industry executives have of the overall agency, what about whistleblowers like Dr. David Graham - the scientist who exposed the mess at the Agency, estimated the number of injuries from Vioxx, and presented solid proof why the drug should have never been approved.

Well, he now has many supporters. Dr. Benedict Lucchesi has already said that Merck's position on the safety of Vioxx is unsubstantiated. His views were in line with those of Dr. Richard Kronmal who analyzed a lot of statistical data and showed that Merck let a trial continue despite the fact that people were dying.

Intimidation of Vioxx critics

It is no secret that Merck put together a plan to "neutralize" any critic of Vioxx. Along with Merck employees, the company was using other "experts" who wanted to stop any criticism of the drug. Professor Lee Simon of Harvard University was threatened by Louis Sherwood, then a senior vice president at Merck, for raising questions about the drug. Since Merck is so well connected, the company was successful in hurting the career of Dr. Simon - a part of their neutralization effort.

Another victim of Merck's anger was Dr. Gurkirpal Singh who was also threatened by Merck after he requsted some data on Vioxx as part of his research.

In testimony today, David Anstice, a Merck executive accepted the fact that Louis Sherwood was asked to stop contacting Vioxx critics but refused to admit that these people were intimidated.

Related article: Merck ignored FDA warning letter on false Vioxx safety claims