The drug companies who made popular cholesterol medication such as Vytorin and Zetia are being sued in four states. These companies, Merck & Co. and Schering-Plough Corp., are being sued for “misleading” consumers into thinking that these brand-name alternatives were more effective than the generic versions.
These lawsuits were filed on behalf of patients and medical insurers who paid for these expensive cholesterol medications. The states currently involved in the lawsuit include Washington, Florida, New Jersey and New York.
Patients say that they feel as though they have been intentionally misled by companies whose main concern is profit over health. A recent study showed that Vytorin is no more effective at reducing plaque buildup than Zocor, a cheaper drug.
Merck spokeswoman Amy Rose said the company couldn’t comment on the lawsuits because it had not seen them. She went onto comment:
“Vytorin and Zetia have been shown to reduce LDL cholesterol in numerous clinical studies and they have been approved by the FDA for that indication. The company will vigorously defend against any allegations or claims to the contrary.”
Schering-Plough spokeswoman Rosemarie Yancosek said:
“The company will vigorously defend against these claims.”
Source: MSNBC.com
https://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22826530/
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