FDA Collaboration in Vioxx Smear Campaign Investigated

The recent discovery of handwritten notes by Dr. Ned Braunstein rejuvenated Congress’s investigation into possible collaboration between the FDA and Merck in a smear campaign against whistle-blower Dr. David Graham. Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, called for renewed investigation based on the notes documenting an October 13, 2004 conversation between Braunstein from Merck and Brian Harvey of the FDA. Braunstein noted Harvey’s call for “an official rebuttal on Graham.” Both the FDA and Merck publicly spoke out against Graham noting differences between his research and their own respective studies. Dr. Graham was “quite shocked” and felt that it demonstrated “how widespread the organized campaign to discredit and smear” him was according to a deposition he gave on May 9, 2006. Merck has attempted to keep that deposition from jurors because Graham spoke beyond previous statements.