Merck's ongoing drug problem

When it comes to Gardasil, how did such a seemingly dangerous vaccination make its way to the general public?

Let’s take a look at Merck’s recent drug manufacturing history. Do you remember Vioxx? It was hailed to be a stronger, longer-lasting drug to fight arthritis. It was swiftly introduced to the market in 1999 and became one of the MOST PRESCRIBED DRUGS in HISTORY. Shortly after its release, it was discovered that Vioxx increased risk for heart attacks. Vioxx was swept off the shelves. Merck stocks plummeted, threatening to take the company with them. Fast forward to 2006. Merck introduces Gardasil, the HPV vaccine. Other companies, such as GlaxoSmithKline, had been working similar vaccines, however, Merck’s was the first on the market. Ads aimed at young girls about being “one less” person affected by cervical cancer flooded every major media outlet. The “one less” hype took health clinics by storm, and in May 2008, Merck was found guilty of using “deceptive marketing tactics” to promote Vioxx…a decision made four years AFTER the drug was taken off the market. Merck stock continues to drop as we speak after the announcement that their wonder-drug Vytorin, prescribed to lower cholesterol, does not stop partial heart valve blockage, as doctors were hoping. It was also noted that “Vytorin users also seemed to have a slightly higher death rate from cancer,” but, like Merck’s claim on Gardasil, “there was not enough evidence to deduce that somehow Vytorin was a contributing factor.”