Multinational drug conglomerate Merck was compelled to retire its popular painkiller drug Vioxx (chemical name rofecoxib) from the market after it was linked to deadly cardiovascular problems. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) acknowledged the voluntary withdrawal and issued a Public Health Advisory to inform the public of the action and to direct people to consult with a medical practitioner about alternative remedies.

Vioxx, along with some other medications from the COX-2 inhibitor class of drugs, was recalled amid reports of significant increases in serious adverse effects like heart attacks or strokes. At the time that Vioxx and other Cox-2 selective NSAIDs were approved, it was hoped that they would have a lower risk of gastrointestinal ulcers and bleeding than other NSAIDs (such as ibuprofen and naproxen). Vioxx, which was prescribed to more than 20 million Americans and 80 million people worldwide, was heavily-marketed to physicians by a cadre of salespeople who were allegedly instructed to sidestep the cardiovascular risk issue. Additionally, Merck now stands accused of suppressing study results. The lawsuit is currently pending.