ADVANTAGE: Science First, Marketing Second
Authors: Jonathan M. Edelman
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (2008)

Letters18 November 2008ADVANTAGE: Science First, Marketing SecondJonathan M. Edelman, MDJonathan M. Edelman, MDFrom Merck & Co., Whitehouse Station, NJ 08889.Search for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-149-10-200811180-00024 SectionsAboutFull TextPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail TO THE EDITOR:Merck & Co. would like to correct numerous inaccuracies in the article by Hill and colleagues (1), who are paid consultants to plaintiffs' lawyers in the Vioxx (rofecoxib) litigation against Merck, and respond to this biased attack on Merck's scientific integrity.The scientific purpose of the ADVANTAGE (Assessment of Differences between Vioxx and Naproxen To Ascertain Gastrointestinal Tolerability and Effectiveness) trial was to answer unaddressed questions about Vioxx. The studya double-blind, randomized, controlled trialwas designed, analyzed, and published by the Clinical Development unit of Merck's U.S. Human Health (USHH) organization, in conjunction with investigators. The Clinical Development ...References1. Hill KP, Ross JS, Egilman DS, and Krumholz HM. The ADVANTAGE seeding trial: a review of internal documents. Ann Intern Med. 2008;149:251-8 LinkGoogle Scholar2. Kessler DA, Rose JL, Temple RJ, Schapiro R, and Griffin JP. Therapeutic-class warsdrug promotion in a competitive marketplace. N Engl J Med. 1994;331:1350-3. [PMID: 7935706] CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar3. Psaty BM and Rennie D. Clinical trial investigators and their prescribing patterns: another dimension to the relationship between physician investigators and the pharmaceutical industry [Editorial]. JAMA. 2006;295:2787-90. [PMID: 16788134] CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar4. Carbone KK. ADVANTAGE protocol approval memo. 5 March 1999. Bates Nos. LEH804576 to LEH804584. Accessed at www.merck.com/newsroom/vioxx/pdf/protocol_approvals.pdf on 19 August 2008. Google Scholar5. Mulrow CD. ADVANTAGE acceptance letter. 25 April 2003. Bates Nos. MRK-APQ0006943 to MRK-APQ0006948. Accessed at www.merck.com/newsroom/vioxx/pdf/annals.pdf on 23 September 2008. Google Scholar Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAuthors: Jonathan M. Edelman, MDAffiliations: From Merck & Co., Whitehouse Station, NJ 08889.Disclaimer: Dr. Edelman is the Executive Director of the Global Center for Scientific Affairs for Merck Research Laboratories.Disclosures: None disclosed. PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetailsSee AlsoThe ADVANTAGE Seeding Trial: A Review of Internal Documents Kevin P. Hill , Joseph S. Ross , David S. Egilman , and Harlan M. Krumholz ADVANTAGE: Science First, Marketing Second Kevin P. Hill , David S. Egilman , and Harlan M. Krumholz Metrics 18 November 2008Volume 149, Issue 10Page: 773KeywordsClinical trialsDrug marketingDrugsEmotionsPhysiciansResearch laboratories ePublished: 18 November 2008 Issue Published: 18 November 2008 Copyright & PermissionsCopyright © 2008 by American College of Physicians. All Rights Reserved.PDF downloadLoading ...