Instead, he said, "I wanted them to warn doctors that there were dangers in using the drug."

Should the agency have stood by, knowing that it has appropriately warned doctors and patients?

If the association with heart damage is real, the agency could meet with the drug manufacturers and ask them to warn doctors and patients.

He said it took almost two years for the company to adequately warn doctors about the potency.

The recalls took place after the company came under scrutiny for failing to promptly warn doctors and patients about the risks of short circuits.

For decades, it generally refused to warn doctors about theoretical medical risks, even when there were strong hints of danger.

The jury ruled that Merck had adequately warned doctors and patients of the drug's risk.

That is what it did last year, when it warned doctors on the use of Paxil for adolescents and children.

But the advisory warned doctors about possible serious adverse effects and factors that could increase the risk of statin-caused muscle disorders.

The drug's label will be updated to warn doctors and patients about this possible side effect.