Just out of curiosity, do you do the same intensive research over everything that you put into your body? How many parties were involved in the creation of every previous vaccine you've received, mandatory or voluntary? Or your preferred OTC cough syrup? Or your favorite snack food?
What can it possibly matter who the other agreements are with? That has no bearing on the safety or efficacy of a treatment. For all I know or care, Merck licensed an L5 decombobulator from the Mooninites. I don't like the Mooninites, I think they're jerks, but the end result of the L5 decombobulation works, and I'm happy.
You'll also be happy to know that Merck has won several Vioxx cases, and others have been dropped or mistried, within the last month. Perhaps this medication will soon be available again.
Since my mother died in June from nonalcohol-related cirrhosis, and since I then learned the extent to which every medication is metabolized in the liver [quoting one of her doctors] I think you could say I'm more interested than I was before.
Too little, too late. I'm sure you didn't mean to be so snide.