Anti-inflammatory drug Vioxx was withdrawn world-wide yesterday after new studies show it could double the risk of heart attack.

Locals who are using the prescription drug are urged to call their physician, Bermuda Pharmaceutical Association head Tracey Marra told . The physician will then likely call the pharmacist to prescribe another drug. Pharmacists in Bermuda also have information on the drug and can answer patients? questions.

Vioxx, which is widely used in Bermuda for acute pain and arthritis relief, is distributed by pharmaceutical company Merck & Co., Inc.

The company voluntarily withdrew the drug yesterday after a long-term study on its effects was halted because of an increased risk of serious cardiovascular events, including heart attacks and strokes.

The study was being done in patients at risk of developing recurrent colon polyps. No evidence of similar side effects has been found in other drugs in the same class as Vioxx, including a similar anti-inflammatory drug manufactured by Merck called Arcoxia.

While not yet approved in the United States, Arcoxia is approved in Bermuda.

?We are taking this action because we believe it best serves the interests of patients,? said Raymond V. Gilmartin, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Merck in a Press release yesterday.

?Although we believe it would have been possible to continue to market Vioxx with labelling that would incorporate these new data, given the availability of alternative therapies, and the questions raised by the data, we concluded that a voluntary withdrawal is the responsible course to take.?

There will eventually be some form of reimbursement, Dr. Marra said, however the Pharmaceutical Association was asking patients for a few days to get the appropriate information on reimbursement from Merck.