Vytorin and Zetia Settlement

The New York Times reported yesterday that Merck and Schering-Plough have agreed to pay $41.5 million to settle class claims that they withheld the results of an unfavorable clinical trial.  The clinical trial apparently linked Vytorin and Zetia to harmful side effects that included cancer.  Of course, this news comes as both companies are in merger talks, which would make Merck the second largest pharmaceutical company in the world.  The New York Times article is available here.