Vioxx Litigation
Developed by Merck & Co., Vioxx is a COX-2 nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, which was used in the treatment of acute pain, painful menstrual cycles and Osteoarthritis. After the revelation in a clinical study that the use of Vioxx enhances the risk of heart attack and strokes, Vioxx was withdrawn from the market in September 2004.
From that moment onward, lawyers have been pinpointing that Merck was aware of issues experienced by patients taking Vioxx, including the much publicized heart attack risk. Lawyers believe that Merck deliberately hide the side effect information of Vioxx from patients and health care provider.
Number of individual and class action lawsuit cases was lodged against Merck when they officially decided to withdraw Vioxx from the market. Withdrawl of Vioxx also increased the resolution of the litigation. First and foremost, plenty of lawyers see the grounds given for the withdrawl of Vioxx as an evidence for their belief that Vioxx was not a safe drug.
In addition, Vioxx lawyers come out in public saying that Vioxx is marketed quite irresponsibly by Merck. Most of the lawyers make their point clear in the court that patients have number of options other than Vioxx for the treatment of pain and arthritis. They depicted number of drugs as evidence, which were more economical and safer as compared to the Vioxx.
There is a good chance that if large chunk of Vioxx lawsuits are lodged in different courts, a court may consolidate the litigation. Merck has decided to opt for aggressive strategy in dealing with the Vioxx lawsuits.