Thank you for saying that. My mother was put on Vioxx July 6, 1999. It went on the market July 1, 1999. My mom was 85 years old. Within a day or two she was pain free for the first time in years. Her death over three years later had nothing to do with Vioxx. It was certainly a miracle drug for her and made her final years more comfortable.
Most drugs work for some people for some time but one cannot say because only a percentage of people die of their side effects that they are wonderful.
Thalidomide and even mercury did have benifits for thousands of people but were all the horrific, deformed babies worth it?
Many people die before the long term 'side effects' kick-in while ofhers seem immune from them.
It is those who are not so lucky that determine the drugs safety.