I can't help but laugh - oh the lawsuits acoming Merck's way! Having worked in pharmaceuticals for 12 years and having left 18 years ago because of the unethical way these companies do business - why am I not surprised. I would be willing to bet a year's salary that they have known this since day one - but something happened and the ---- hit the fan and FORCED them to do this. None of these companies "voluntarily" withdraws a big money maker like this unless under complete legal duress - as in their lawyers informed them IF they did NOT they would probably wind up bankrupt. Couldn't happen to a nicer firm - Merck is well known as one of the worst offenders - Wyeth is another one - look at that Phen Fen mess a few years back - drug was making them a fortune and people were dying right and left - lawsuits up the gazoo - but they are still in business.

All of these big firms along with the FDA need a thorough housecleaning and someone with ethics and principle to sit on their heads..........