Merck Defends Actions Prior to Vioxx Recall - Part One

Remarks of Peter S. Kim, Ph.D., President, Merck Research Laboratories, Merck and Co. Inc. at a Press Availability in New York City on October 13, 2004.

The following is taken from an Oct. 13, 2004, one-hour, press briefing attended by Peter S. Kim, Ph.D., president of Merck Research Laboratories, Dr. Alise Reicin, vice president, Clinical Research, Merck Research Laboratories, and Ken Frazier, senior vice president and general counsel, Merck Co. Merck provided a copy of Dr. Kim's statement. The transcript of the questions and answers that followed has been edited.

Since we announced the voluntary withdraw …