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Reuters - 21 August 2008
U.S. FDA to review data on Vytorin cancer risk

WASHINGTON, Aug 21 (Reuters) - U.S. Food and Drug Administration officials plan to review recently publicized data that showed a higher rate of cancer in patients taking Merck & Co Inc (MRK.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) and Schering-Plough Corp’s (SGP.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) cholesterol drug Vytorin.

The agency, in a notice posted on its website on Thursday, said it will take about three months before it receives final results from the so-called SEAS study. It will likely take another six months for the FDA to complete its review and draw any conclusions, it added.

(Reporting by Susan Heavey; Editing by Tim Dobbyn)