John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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Question 264: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if the drug Vioxx is available here; if it has been withdrawn; if any person suffered heart attacks while taking the drug; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24560/05]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The Irish Medicines Board is the statutory body that is responsible for the regulation of medicinal products in Ireland. I have been advised by the board that Vioxx was withdrawn on a worldwide basis by a company in September 2004 following new clinical trial data which indicated an association of increased risk of cardiovascular side effects. Vioxx was authorised for use in Ireland by the Irish Medicines Board in November 1999. To date the board has received 85 adverse reaction reports for the product, eight of which have been classified as cardiovascular in nature.