Clouded Future for Merck's Blood Thinning Drug Vorapaxar

Merck & Co.'s experimental anti-platelet drug vorapaxar reduces the risk of heart attacks but increases the risk of significant bleeding.

The latest studies have raised questions whether the company will seek approval for the drug from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

From January 2011 a safety committee overseeing the 26,449-patient study had questioned its efficacy as they found that the new type of anti-platelet drug was not appropriate for patients who had suffered a stroke, due to bleeding risk.

Source: Medindia