SALES and marketing staff from an international pharmaceutical company who manufactured anti-arthritis drug Vioxx produced a song to "Ricky Martin-type" music titled "Go Vioxx" to help encourage their sales representatives.
In a draft marketing document tendered to the Federal Court as part of a class-action against Merck & Co, the song is part of a "Vioxx Sales Driver Vol 1" CD for staff at the Australian company.
"Go Vioxx, Go Vioxx, Go Vioxx," one verse states. "Just one day is all you need/To kick the situation/And lose all the agony of pain and inflammation ... The moral of the story is that/Celebrex (their opposition) will fight us/ For the crucial market share/Of Osteoarthritis."
The song also includes a verse about an ageing Russian soldier, complete with the side-effects "(insert a guttural Russian sound)".
"His life was changed though Vioxx/He'll be jumping' round for joy till/A doctor tries to write a script for/Some old non-steroidal," it reads. "Sell Vioxx for me baby/Sell Vioxx for me baby/Sell Vioxx for me baby/Sell Vioxx for me baby!"
The draft transcript of the CD, with written amendments scribbled all over it, was lodged as part of the plaintiff's case against US company Merck & Co and its Australian subsidiary, Merck Sharpe and Dohme.
Lead plaintiff Graeme Peterson, along with more than 1000 other Australians, claims Vioxx caused him to have a heart attack in December 2003 and alleges Merck played down the cardiovascular risks of the drug in the years before it was voluntarily withdrawn in 2004.
Another song detailed in the document is one done to a "Paul Kelly-style rock song".
"I used to dream of the days/When I climbed any mountain/Or walked all the way to St Kilda from town," it reads. "But time marched on and left me with this/Pain and inflammation/The best days of my life just seemed to/Fade and bring me down. Vioxx you gave me a chance to start over/And now the best days are here to stay."
The transcript also has "team talk back" where sales representatives discuss the issues they are facing, including how to deal with the "cardiovascular issue".
The last sentence of the transcript reads: "This brings us to the end of our first sales driver. I certainly hope you found it enjoyable ... Don't forget the Vioxx Victories hotline, it's number 8100 -- we're dying to hear 'bout all of your Vioxx victories so happy selling."
Merck has already settled thousands of lawsuits in the US over the effects of Vioxx for $US4.85 billion (AUS$6.8 billion), but has made no admission of guilt.
The trial continues.
The Australian
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