Amanda's Absence
Should Vioxx Be Kept Off the Market?
Author(s)
Abstract
When chronic pain forces a top student to withdraw from college, biology instructor Dr. Sharpe learns that medications (in this case, Vioxx) may be removed from the market for many reasons, including safety concerns. As the case unfolds, students learn how the FDA balances drug safety against medical needs. As written, the case is appropriate for a non-majors biology course. It could also be adapted for use in a more advanced course in cell biology, pharmacology, or biochemistry, or modified to explore statistical analysis, specific analytical methods used for risk/benefit analysis, or bioethical issues.
Objectives
- Describe in general terms the purpose and structure of a clinical trial.
- Explain how the decision is made to bring pharmaceutical drugs on and off the market.
- Describe or define in general terms the concept of risk/benefit analysis.
- Distinguish between relative risk and absolute risk.
Keywords
Vioxx; clinical trial; Food and Drug Administration; FDA; drug approval; risk-benefit analysis; pharmaceutical; Merck; "Big Pharma"; bioethicsTopical Areas
Ethics, Regulatory issuesEducational Level
Undergraduate lower division, Undergraduate upper divisionFormat
PDFType / Methods
Interrupted, Dilemma/DecisionLanguage
EnglishSubject Headings
Biology (General) | Biochemistry | Pharmacy / Pharmacology |
Date Posted
10/25/05Teaching Notes
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Answer Key
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