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Vytorin and the ENHANCE Study

By Janice G. Inman
February 27, 2008

The news that the drug Vytorin' may not be very effective for its advertised purpose has created a crisis for its manufacturers. Critics claim the results of a clinical trial of the medication's efficacy were released months, if not years, after the drug companies knew their product was not what they had originally claimed. Now, government oversight agencies are investigating the possibility that the drug's manufacturers are guilty of insider trading, medical test manipulation and/or false advertising. In addition, shareholders are upset and consumers are suing.

Vytorin contains two medications: Zocor' (simvastatin), manufactured by Merck & Co.; and Zetia' (ezetimibe), manufactured by Merck and Schering-Plough Corp. It is indicated for some patients who need to reduce total cholesterol and LDL (bad) cholesterol, and raise HDL (good) cholesterol.

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