Vioxx is a prescription medication that has been used primarily in the treatment of signs and symptoms of arthritis. In September of 2004, its manufacturer Merck voluntarily recalled Vioxx worldwide due to safety concerns. The FDA issued a public advisory regarding the safety of Vioxx, though it was pulled from the market before the FDA had an opportunity to do a thorough review.
Eli Lilly and Company, the maker of the Zyprexa drug has set aside $690 million to pay patients who took Zyprexa before September 2003 and suffered damages. A class action lawsuit accuses the manufacturer of Zyprexa of aggressively promoting Zyprexa as a safe and effective drug for psychotic disorders, while concealing the risks of side effects from doctors and from the patients.
Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that affects cells in the lining of the chest and abdomen. The tissues in these areas are called the mesothelium, and they produce a lubricating fluid that allows the organs to move easily and without irritation or injury in the torso cavity.