[jcx]

If the FDA did not exist there could have been full disclosure and people could have made up their own mind as to the risks. As it was, Merck likely realized the drug would not be approved and the hundreds of millions spent developing the drug would be flushed down the toilet. Not wanting to explain this to shareholders, info was witheld to gain approval. Certainly unethical, but I understand the motivation. The upshot? Merck will cough up barrels of cash paying off lawsuits and people willing to take a calculated risk in exchange for relief from debilitating arthritis won't have access to what has been a miracle drug for so many.