US drug expert raises alarm bells over five medications

AT least five medications now sold to consumers pose such risks that their sale should be limited or stopped, said a government drug reviewer who raised questions earlier about the arthritis drug Vioxx.

In testimony on Thursday before the US Senate Finance Committee, Food and Drug Administration reviewer David Graham cited Meridia, Crestor, Accutane, Bextra and Serevent.

The nation is ‘‘virtually defenceless’’ against a repeat of the Vioxx debacle, he said. Merck & Co pulled Vioxx from the market on September 30 after a study indicated the painkiller doubled the risk of heart attacks and stroke when taken for longer than 18 months.