Americans scared after Vioxx recall

Nearly half (48%) of U.S. adults and more than three quarters (78%) of Vioxx users report closely following the news coverage about the voluntary withdrawal of Vioxx from the market. Sixteen percent of U.S. adults report that they or someone in their household have taken Vioxx on a regular basis and nearly half (48%) of these users were taking the medication at the time of withdrawal.

These are some of the results of a Harris Interactive® poll of 2,065 U.S. adults conducted online between December 2 and 6, 2004 for the Wall Street Journal Online's Health Industry Edition.

Reactions to the withdrawal by adults living in households where someone was taking Vioxx at the time of the recall varied, but a majority did respond in some way when they learned the news. The most common action taken by Vioxx users was to consult with a doctor about switching to a new medication (50%). Nearly half (48%) reported switching to another prescription pain medication, 24 percent switched to an over-the-counter pain medication, and 21 percent stopped taking pain medication entirely. Notably, none of the users surveyed refilled a prescription for Vioxx via the Internet or some other means.

While the news coverage of this withdrawal has been quite extensive, it doesn't appear to have done much to minimize concern, as a majority (60%) of Vioxx users are concerned that their health or the health of their family members might be negatively affected by taking the medication.

In the wake of the criticisms that have leveled against Merck & Co., the manufacturer of Vioxx, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Americans are divided or uncertain as to whether or not they feel that these institutions acted responsibly with regard to the drug's withdrawal. By 43 to 22 percent, adults believe the FDA acted responsibly, however 35 percent are not sure. Merck was not viewed quite as favorably with virtually no difference in the percentage of adults saying it acted responsibly vs. those saying it did not act responsibly (32% vs. 31%), and another 37 percent saying they are not sure.

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Source: Harris Interactive