Merck Scraps Development of Osteoporosis Drug Due to Stroke Risk

Merck halted development of a potentially effective treatment for osteoporosis due to adverse effects in women. Despite success in reducing the rate of fractures, Merck will not continue testing or seek FDA approval, due to the increased risk of stroke in women. This late-stage failure in humans occurred after testing for safety in animals. Improved tests that predict side effects and lead to safer and more effective treatments for osteoporosis are needed, as one in two women and one in four men over 50 will break a bone due to osteoporosis.

To learn more about the dangers of relying on animals for human drug testing and how modern technologies can improve tests, read Averting Drug Disasters in Good Medicine magazine.

Grover N. Merck scraps development of osteoporosis drug due to stroke risk. Reuters. http://www.reuters.com/article/us-merck-co-study-idUSKCN1181E6. September 2, 2016.