Vioxx lessons for average consumer

When the jury in Texas awarded Carol Ernst over $250 million (the amount will be reduced to $26 million on appeal), they sent a strong message not only to Merck but to each one of us. Derrick Chizer, one of the jurors put it very clearly: "Stop doing the minimum to put your drug on the market."

We now know that Merck knew the cardiovascular risks of the drug years before the drug was launched but deliberately kept everyone in the dark. On the other hand, it used hundreds of millions of dollars to market the drug directly to seniors and their family members. As many as 60,000 Americans are reportedly dead after taking Vioxx, according to FDA estimates.

So what can we learn from the Vioxx debacle?

1. Do not trust everything that a drug company tells you in an ad. While they may be technically accurate (something that the FDA checks), they may not be telling you every thing that you need to know. Do your own research.
2. Do not trust your doctor blindly. Most doctors never bother to keep up with latest research or simply prescribe the drug based on what you tell them. Even worse, many doctors get all their knowledge about new drugs from pharma sales people. Many doctors receive payments for prescribing certain drugs. If in doubt, get a second opinion.
3. Do not trust the FDA or your representatives. The agency relies on the pharma companies for its budget and there are more drug industry lobbyists in Washington than members of Congress. Drug companies fund election campaigns and treat politicians really well.
4. While you can file a lawsuit against a drug company, it will neither bring your health nor your loved one back.
5. Do not rush to your doctor for every ailment. All drugs have side effects and many prescription drugs provide only symptomatic relief - they do not cure. Learn to live with your ailments and explore natural alternatives. The advertising for drugs creates an impression that you have all the symptoms of the illness and you need to be treated for it. Americans consume the highest amount of prescription drugs in the world and are still not the healthiest people.

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