Fact Sheets on Drug Safety

Vaccines Legislation Protects Drug Company Profits Over Americans' Health and Safety

November 8— Without a safety or compensation component, proposals to immunize drug companies ask the American public to trust the pharmaceutical industry to keep them safe. And if that trust is broken, Americans are left with no place to turn for a remedy. Public health experts worry that these special interest protections could undermind the effectiveness of any wide scale vaccination program. Read more.

Vioxx Verdict's Message: "Safety Before Sales"

August 26— The Vioxx verdict proves that our civil justice system lets ordinary Americans hold even the largest and wealthiest corporations accountable for putting sales ahead of safety. Read more.

The Evidence Against Merck

August 26— The facts presented during the Vioxx trial showed that Merck distributed and promoted Vioxx without properly disclosing the dangers of the drug. Read more.

Members of the Vioxx Jury Discuss Their Decision

August 26— The jurors in the nation's first Vioxx trial sent back a clear message to Merck that the company's executives should have been paying equal or more attention to ensuring that Vioxx was safe for patients than they did promoting the sales of Vioxx. Read more.

Drug Makers Put Safety of Children Last

March 7— Every parent wants to ensure that their child receives adequate and safe protection from diseases. Vaccines and drugs, which are administered to children to prevent a host of ailments, such as chicken pox, measles, and asthma, can aid in this effort. However, disturbing facts are emerging about the safety of these vaccines and medications, which are subject to limited—if any—tests for pediatric use.

Medications that can be processed normally by adult metabolisms often have dangerous side effects in young people. But pharmaceutical manufacturers claim that such tests are too expensive and time-consuming. That is a risky gamble to take with the lives of children. Read more.

Recalled Products

December 21, 2004— Vioxx is one of many dangerous products found to kill and injure patients after receiving FDA approval. Below are just some of the products recalled in 2004. Read more.