Testimony of David Graham before Senate Finance Committee on drug safety

In testimony before the Senate Finance Committee on November 18, 2004, David Graham raised issues about the safety of the drugs Meridia, Crestor, Accutane, Bextra, and Serevent. [AP report, for example, Trenton Times, C9, Nov. 19, 2004.] The corresponding drug makers have defended the safety and use of these drugs.

Graham asserted that the FDA's Office of New Drugs (Sandra Kweder, Deputy Director) maintains a drug is safe unless reviewers establish ith 95% certainty that it is not.

The CEO of Merck has noted that his wife took VIOXX until the date of withdrawal.