Thursday, March 16, 2006

Vioxx MDL: FDA's Dr. Graham to testify

From Newsday as well as those following the MDL Vioxx litigation:

The FDA whistleblower who has addressed the agency's handling of Vioxx will be deposed and may present evidence that could help the pending lawsuits.

Judge Fallon denied a Motion to Quash the subpoena of drug reviewer Dr. David Graham, who testified at a 2004 Congressional hearing that the Merck & Co. drug caused as many as 160,000 heart attacks and strokes. The Motion was filed and argued by attorneys for the FDA.

Fallon said it was vitally important that plaintiffs know the truth about Vioxx including what the FDA knew about the drug, when the agency knew it, if it had all the facts and whether the FDA concealed anything from the public.