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Congress wants Vytorin analysis

August 1, 2008 — 9:44am ET | By Tracy Staton

Congress wants to get its hands on the latest Vytorin data. The House Energy and Commerce Committee is asking the FDA to fork over an analysis of the recently released SEAS trial, which ended up being a double whammy for Merck and Schering-Plough: Vytorin did no better than placebo at reducing the narrowing of heart valves, and researchers found an unexpected increase in the risk of dying from cancer.

You'll recall that the company called on an eminent cancer epidemiologist to analyze data on that risk, and that expert concluded that it was probably an anomaly. Well, the committee--chaired by Rep. John Dingell--wants to see the evidence for itself. The FDA, which was given a copy of that analysis, says it's reviewing the document request. You can bet that if the agency hands it over, we'll soon hear more from Dingell & Co.

- see the Wall Street Journal story
- check out the WSJ Health Blog post