Merck begins overseas recall of HDL cholesterol drug

(Reuters) – Merck & Co said it is recalling Tredaptive, its medicine to raise "good" HDL cholesterol levels, in overseas markets where it is sold, after it failed to prevent heart problems in a large study and raised safety concerns. The medicine is not approved in the United States but the U.S. drugmaker sells it in about 40 countries. Merck said it would recall stocks of Tredaptive now held by wholesalers, but that pharmacies can continue to dispense their remaining supplies. …