Judge sees Vioxx lawsuit lasting rest of decade
Key points
- Inc. for the alleged damages caused by its painkiller Vioxx are expected to last up to five years, the U.S. judge said on Thursday.
- "I hope to get this entire litigation finished in four to a maximum of five years," said U.S.
- Vioxx, which was withdrawn from the market in September after studies linked it to increased risk of Heart attack and Stroke, was prescribed to relieve the pain and inflammation of arthritis.
- Merck, based in Whitehorse Station, New Jersey, maintains it acted responsibly.
The lawsuits against Merck & Co. Inc. for the alleged damages caused by its painkiller Vioxx are expected to last up to five years, the U.S. judge said on Thursday.
"I hope to get this entire litigation finished in four to a maximum of five years," said U.S. District Judge Eldon Fallon, who is overseeing nearly 500 lawsuits that have been filed against Merck.
Vioxx, which was withdrawn from the market in September after studies linked it to increased risk of Heart attack and Stroke, was prescribed to relieve the pain and inflammation of arthritis.
Merck, based in Whitehorse Station, New Jersey, maintains it acted responsibly.
Phillip Whitman, the attorney leading Merck's committee of defense lawyers said another 382 cases were waiting to be transferred to the federal court's jurisdiction.
"We're expecting 100,000 cases in this litigation," said Russ Herman, who is leading the attorneys on the plaintiffs' steering committee.
Written and revised by
Gerald Hurowitz, M.D.
Our doctors write and review articles for accuracy and keep them up to date.
health.am provides general information, not medical advice. Always consult a qualified health professional about your own health.
Explore health topics
More in this topic
Addiction →NewsWHO sees tobacco control pact taking effect in 2005
The World Health Organization (WHO) expects the world's first treaty on tobacco control will take effect by early 2005, the international body said on Wednesday. So far 32 countries have ratified the treaty, known as…
30 September 2004
NewsVioxx study finds arthritis drug increases heart attack risk
An FDA financed study presented at an epidemiologists conference in Bordeaux, France on August 25, 2004 suggested Vioxx patients have a 50 percent greater chance of suffering heart attacks and sudden cardiac death than…
3 September 2004
NewsBaby aspirin plus Vioxx raises ulcer risk
By themselves, low-dose aspirin and the painkiller Vioxx are usually safe for the stomach, but together they can spell trouble, a new study indicates. The findings may be relevant to many people who take aspirin to…