MHRA advice following withdrawal of Vioxx (rofecoxib)

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has issued advice following the withdrawal of a widely-used pain-killer and anti-inflammatory drug Vioxx (rofecoxib).

Patients taking Vioxx should contact their doctor by phone or at the next convenient appointment to arrange an alternative prescription.

The drug is used in the treatment of pain and inflammation in osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, and in the management of acute pain. It is widely used, by an estimated 400,000 patients in the UK.

The maker of the drug, Merck Sharp & Dohme, informed the MHRA earlier today that it would be withdrawing the drug worldwide following concerns raised in a long term study that showed and increased risk of heart attack and stroke after 18 months or more.

Speaking today, the Chairman of the MHRA, Professor Sir Alasdair Breckenridge said:

"Patients taking Vioxx should contact their doctor by phone or at the next convenient appointment to arrange an alternative prescription. The Committee on Safety of Medicine has looked at this issue this morning and agreed that this message should be communicated widely to health professionals and patients without delay".