Lawmakers examine Web postings in Vytorin probe

By Lisa Richwine

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Anonymous messages posted on a Web site raise questions about the handling of data on a Merck & Co Inc (MRK.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) and Schering-Plough Corp (SGP.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) cholesterol drug, two House of Representatives Democrats said on Monday.

The drugmakers have been criticized for delaying the release of results from a study called Enhance. That trial found the cholesterol pill Vytorin worked no better than a generic at preventing plaque build-up in neck arteries.

Top Democrats on the House of Representatives Energy and Commerce Committee said on Monday they had "recently learned" of and were examining anonymous messages posted in 2007 on a Web site for pharmaceutical sales representatives called Cafepharma.com. The Enhance study concluded in April 2006 but results were not released until January 2008.

"These Web site entries are obviously troubling and raise again the question of whether anyone within Merck or Schering-Plough knew the results of the Enhance trial prior to the official release," Michigan Reps. John Dingell and Bart Stupak said in a letter to the companies.

Dingell chairs the committee, while Stupak heads its oversight and investigations subcommittee.

According to the lawmakers, one March 2007 entry on the Web site states "have a buddy at (Schering-Plough Research Institute). He says that the study is a bust. Adding Zetia to already maxed out statin is useless." Another from June 2007 said "heard it crashed and burned!"

Zetia is one of the ingredients in Vytorin, which also contains the statin drug Zocor.

Another November 2007 entry said "word of mouth from investigators involved in running the trial is that it is a negative study," according to the letter.