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[The withdrawal of Vioxx: how did the patients react?].

BACKGROUND
The withdrawal of rofecoxib (Vioxx) from the global market because of adverse cardiovascular effects affected many patients and created a lot of publicity.


MATERIAL AND METHODS
287 patients from four general practices who had received prescriptions for rofecoxib in 2004 were identified from the medical records of their general practitioner (GP) and mailed a questionnaire addressing their reactions and their expectations of their GP in this respect.


RESULTS
140 out of 287 patients returned the questionnaire. More than half were scared by the media frenzy about the withdrawal. 15% had received information from their GP after the withdrawal, whereas 70% wanted this kind of information. 42% had received prescriptions for rofecoxib, even if the patients could not confirm the presence of the diagnostic criteria.


INTERPRETATION
The media frenzy gave rise to concern among patients, who want their GP to be more active in informing them about their use of unsafe medication. Better routines and data tools are needed for GPs to better identify and inform patients when needed.