Drugmakers pull Vytorin TV ads

KENILWORTH and WHITEHOUSE STATION, N.J. In the aftermath of the results of the ENHANCE trial, which showed Merck and Schering-Plough’s drug Vytorin unable to reduce the buildup of plaque in the arteries, the two companies have decided to pull their “two sources” TV advertising campaign for Vytorin and one of the ingredients of Vytorin and a drug sold on its own, Zetia, according to published reports.

“We have voluntarily and temporarily suspended broadcast advertising for Vytorin and Zetia,” stated Schering-Plough spokesman Lee Davies. “Vytorin and Zetia print advertising campaigns will continue in consumer print publications and in professional trade journalism,” he said.

The drug makers spent $102 million to market Vytorin through the first nine months of last year and spent $83 million on Zetia, according TNS Media Intelligence.

In order to show that both drugs are still safe to take, the two companies have begun a print campaign for both drugs in national and select local daily news markets. There is no word yet on how long the print advertisements will run or how long the TV advertisements will stay off the air.