In 1999 the FDA approved the prescription pain killer Vioxx. In 2004 Vioxx was withdrawn from the market because it dramatically increased the likelihood of a having a heart attack. The Lancet published an article estimating Vioxx caused 88,000 heart attacks and 38,000 deaths. Merck pled guilty to illegal promotional activities and paid a $950 million fine and paid $4.85 billion to settle a class action lawsuit.
