With all the attention on Iraq, Gonzales, and even recently the troubles of Paul Wolfowitz over at the World Bank, here's a piece of news that really brings home the consequences of Bush's domestic policy in a way even Conservatives would be disturbed to ponder.
Vioxx, a Cox 2 inhibitor (used to treat the pain and inflammation of arthritis), was voluntarily recalled by Merck after the company reported elevated risk of heart attack or stroke among those taking the medication. As many as 80 Million People had been prescribed this medication.
Even though Merck's own studies prior to release demonstrated that patients receiving the drug were 4 times at risk of myocardial infarction, Merck explained this away as the "protective effects" of Naproxin, the older drug Vioxx was due to replace. The Bush Appointed FDA panel approved Vioxx in 2001.
Fast forward, it later turned out that Merck withheld key data in the evaluation of its drug in order to rush it into market and cash in on all the time and effort spend developing this wonder drug. People began to take it. People began to die. Victims sought justice in the courts.
Today, a Federal Judge threw out the Class Action suit. That judge was none other than Stanley Chesler, who was appointed to the courts by George W. Bush in 2002.
It should be noted that today, shares in Merck reached a 52 week high, jumping almost $4 a share to over $50.30 just before Friday's market close. This after knowingly putting a dangerous, life-threatening drug on the market.
The curious can learn more by visiting Wikipedia's well sourced entry.