CORRECTED:House asks FDA to turn over Vytorin study analysis:WSJ

(Deletes reference to study being funded by Merck and Schering-Plough; The companies say the study was independent)

NEW YORK (Reuters) - The House Energy and Commerce committee wants the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to turn over the results of an analysis about the potential links between cancer and cholesterol drug Vytorin, the Wall Street Journal reported.

Vytorin is sold jointly by Merck & Co Inc and Schering-Plough Corp.

It was reported earlier through a closely watched heart study that slightly higher incidents of cancer deaths were seen in those taking Vytorin -- 39 versus 23 on placebo -- although the lead researcher said those could have occurred as a result of chance.

The analysis was given to the FDA and not to the House Commerce Committee, which has been investigating the safety of prescription drugs, and has reviewed the marketing of Vytorin, according to the Journal.

The FDA was not available immediately for comment.

A spokesman for the companies told Reuters the analysis was independent and not funded by either drug maker.

(Reporting by Aarthi Sivaraman; Editing by Gary Hill)