A US health advisory panel narrowly voted on Friday to allow the return of Vioxx, an anti-inflammatory drug
withdrawn last year, while acknowledging that it poses cardiovascular risks.
The special Food and Drug Administration advisory panel decision, which still must go before the full FDA, is a victory for Vioxx-maker Merck, which pulled the drug from the market last year but has indicated it may reintroduce it.
The decision came from a joint meeting of the agency's Arthritis Advisory Committee and the Drug Safety and Risk Management Advisory Committee, which was reviewing the safety of certain drugs in light of reports linking them to cardiovascular risks.
The FDA panel also approved Pfizer drugs Celebrex and Bextra for public use, after acknowledging heart risks from the medications.
