Did Vioxx really kill 50,000 Americans?
Another example of a change in mortality rates the health authorities dont want exposed coincides with the recall of Vioxx, the pain-relieving COX-2 inhibitor, that was recalled by its manufacturer after it became apparent that it was responsible for cardiovascular deaths. Sales of Vioxx pills declined by about 6-million prescriptions from 2003 to 2004. Notice the mortality chart provided by the Centers for Health Statistics, which shows a dramatic decline in the mortality rate during that same period. About 50,000 fewer Americans died in 2004, an unexpected and unexplained decline. Health authorities say a drop in cardiovascular deaths explained most of the fall. Vioxx specifically provokes heart attacks and strokes. There were no other major changes in heart medication or treatment in 2003-2004 and the consumption of cigarettes actually rose slightly over that same time period, so a decline in smoking could not be a factor. Furthermore, a slight rise in mortality rates is documented
