Merck Rep. Testifies in Madison County
There have been countless rumors that Merck ignored health concerns when it sold Vioxx to patients. After many deaths, the company has repeatedly defended itself, but for the first time a representative has stated that it might have skipped a few details. During the current Madison County Vioxx case last Friday, Dr. Nancy Santanello (head of epidemiology for Merck & Co.) testified that Merck spent countless hours studying and restudying Vioxx and its effects among different types of people, with different health conditions. She said that even though it had some unforseen side-effects, the company moved quickly and efficiently to recall Vioxx in 2004 as soon as there were signs that the drug raised heart risks in long-term and short-term users. However, she did admit that no completed clinical trials had examined Vioxx use for more than a little more than a year before the drug was released. It remains to be seen if this will have an effect on the jury and the case.
17 Aug, 2007
Lawyers USA (a national publication for practicing attorneys) has compiled it’s Top 10 list of “Largest US Settlements of 2006?. The second-largest Vioxx settlement ($51 Million), awarded to a 62 year-old FBI retiree who suffered a heart attack because of Vioxx, ranked at number 5. The only settlements to top $100 Million were the first [...]
23 Jul, 2007
The Journal of Arthritis Research & Therapy has publish an article that states a reason as to why painkillers known as COX-2 inhibitors, of which Vioxx is one, may lead to heart attacks. Researchers at Winthrop-University Hospital in Long Island have determined that they may prevent the body from succesfully purging excess cholesterol. The authors write: “Our results suggest that [...]
17 Jul, 2007
On February 22, the Michigan State House passed legislation on bills that would repeal a law protecting drug companies from lawsuits involving drugs that have been approved by the FDA. Within is a bill that would allow lawsuits to be filed retroactively. That could mean that Merck & Co. might face even more Vioxx-related suits. [...]
17 Apr, 2007
A new demand to post a new group lawsuit from families of vitims of the very controversal Vioxx has been deposited in the provence of Quebec in Canada. The group would be composed of mothers, fathers and children of victims that has taken the Viox between 1999 and 2004.
the demand would come from Mrs. Hubert, [...]
17 Mar, 2007
On February 20th, 2007, lawyers from Brown & Crouppen law firms will begin the first Vioxx trial in the midwest, in Madison County, IL. Patricia Schwaller, a 52-year-old mother of two children died suddenly of a heart attack on August 8, 2003. She had been taking the drug Vioxx for almost 2 years. Frank Schwaller, her [...]
