1. Why do you think the decision makers at Merck failed to use the information that indicated that the Vioxx pain relief drug was linked to increased risk of heart attacks and strokes?
2. What practices should Merck develop to improve its decision making process in order to avoid future product recalls such as the situation with Vioxx which is likely to cost the company billions in legal costs to settle with customers as well as tarnish its reputation as a leading drug company?
3. Why do you think so many doctors failed to use the published information about the risks to their patients of using Vioxx and instead continued to prescribe this drug? What should doctors do to improve their decision making when it concerns prescribing drugs to patients?