The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 273 No 7321 p553
16 October 2004

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MSD to reimburse Vioxx prescription charge

Merck Sharp & Dohme says it will reimburse patients who paid the NHS prescription charge for their supply of Vioxx (rofecoxib) before its withdrawal earlier this month (PJ, 9 October, p505).

The company says that patients can call a helpline — 0800 106024 — to request a form, which they should then fill in and return to MSD, along with the empty box in which their Vioxx was dispensed. The company estimates that just under 400,000 patients were taking the drug when it was withdrawn. An MSD spokeswoman told The Journal that over 70 per cent of these patients were likely to be exempt from paying a prescription charge. She added that the company did not expect to be inundated with requests for reimbursement.