Tsk, Tsk Merck

"The evidence has raised questions about the integrity of the data on adverse cardiovascular events in the article and about some of the article's conclusions," the Journal said in a statement on its Web site.

Today the New England Journal of Medicine reported that Merck deleted some of the test results that suggested cardiac risks from taking Vioxx found during the study that compared the health risk of the drug to other available drugs. If it is true (and I think that is likely; the Journal wouldn't risk its reputation on rumors), it should have an effect both on the pending litigation against Merck, as well as prompt a review within the FDA of how to monitor companies so that the results of unfavorable studies are not dropped. However, the FDA at this point is very responsive to its "constituents'" needs (that would be the pharmaceutical companies) that changes that would protect consumers but slow the approval process by allowing firms to discard unfavorable lab test results are sure to be blocked.