Cardio-vascular Incidents
9. Andrew Stunell (Hazel Grove) (LD): When he was informed of reported increases in the occurrence of cardio-vascular incidents linked to Vioxx (rofecoxib). [211298]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health (Mr. Ivan Lewis): The cardio-vascular safety of Vioxx was intensively monitored and investigated by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency with regular, independent advice from the Committee on Safety of Medicines. That happened since a possible increased cardio-vascular risk was noted in the VIGOR study in 2000, shortly after Vioxx was marketed. The first definitive evidence of increased cardio-vascular risk arose in a long-term placebo-controlled clinical trial, the APPROVe study, in September 2004, at which time the manufacturer withdrew Vioxx from the market.
Andrew Stunell: May I remind the Minister that many hundreds of NHS patients, such as my constituent, Mr. Lowe, who were prescribed Vioxx have subsequently suffered serious side-effects—in Mr. Lowe’s case, a heart attack? What steps will the Minister take to get the manufacturer of Vioxx—Merck Ltd. from the United States—to face up to its liabilities to patients here in the UK in the way that it has been forced to do in the United States of America?
Mr. Lewis: The hon. Gentleman raises an important point. A number of patients within the NHS feel that their lives have been adversely affected very seriously as a consequence of taking the drug. He is right to say that compensation is being paid by the manufacturer in the United States of America. We need to look at the pressure we can apply to that manufacturer in terms of its responsibilities to people in the United Kingdom who have been affected.
Norman Lamb (North Norfolk) (LD): May I reinforce the intense sense of anger and injustice felt by the victims of Vioxx in the UK, many of whom attended a lobby of Parliament today? They are in exactly the same position as people in the United States who have benefited from a $4.8 billion settlement. Does the Minister agree that it is an outrage that this drug company is discriminating against UK victims? Will he join me in calling on it to rethink its position and meet an all-party delegation of MPs to see what further pressure, as he says, should be put on the company?
Mr. Lewis: Again, I agree with the hon. Gentleman. I think that I can commit to two things. First, of course I will meet an all-party group of MPs to focus on this particular issue and consider what we might do. Secondly, I will certainly be making sure that the Department contacts the manufacturer to ensure that it fulfils its responsibilities to people who have been affected in the UK in the same way as it is now compensating people in the United States.