Vytorin makers say cancer results likely an anomaly

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Cancer findings in a new study of cholesterol drug Vytorin are "likely to be an anomaly" unrelated to the drug, makers Merck & Co and Schering-Plough Corp said in a letter to doctors. The study called SEAS found a higher incidence of cancer among patients who took Vytorin compared with a placebo, according to findings released this week. Researchers also reported more deaths from cancer among Vytorin patients, although that difference was not statistically significant. "The cancer finding in SEAS is likely to be an anomaly that, taken in the light of all the available data, does not support an association with Vytorin," the companies said in a letter dated July 22. The letter was posted on a website of the companies' joint venture on Wednesday to provide information to doctors with questions about the... [read full story]