Vioxx, Merck's arthritis and chronic pain medication, was marketed heavily to consumers in a series of television commercials beginning in 1999. Unfortunately, the spots failed to mention "rampant heart failure" in their recital of common side effects. When a series of medical studies showed the drug caused heart attacks -- between 88,000 and 139,000 in its 5 years on the market -- a massive recall was ordered and billion-dollar litigation ensued.

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