The Vioxx Controversy: Misleading Marketing and Medical Miscommunication

This chapter explores the troubling promotion of Vioxx, highlighting the roles of a famous figure skater and a Harvard professor in endorsing the drug despite its dangers. It critiques a New Yorker article that irresponsibly claimed Vioxx could treat Alzheimer's, stressing the need for rigorous scientific integrity in medical journalism. The discussion emphasizes the ethical pitfalls of sensationalism and the critical responsibility of both medical and journalistic communities in conveying accurate information to the public.