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Added September 19th, 2005
Following the defeat of pharmaceutical giant Merck in the first Vioxx trial to go to court last week, it has been announced that the company plans to settle some cases out of court. Last week the widow of a man that died having taken Vioxx on and off for some time was awarded over a quarter of a million dollars. Merck plans to appeal against the decision, but many say that the company has practically no chance of success.
A spokesperson for Merck has now stated that the pharmaceutical giant will be looking at settlements for those that had taken Vioxx for long periods and had few or no other risk factors for heart problems and strokes. In the past Merck has refused to settle cases out of court. However, it is thought that the verdict on the first Vioxx case to go to trial has caused the company to rethink its strategy.
It is thought that Merck could be facing bankruptcy and could also face final costs of $50 billion, with court cases against the company piling up in the thousands. In the past, Merck has not only refused to settle out of court and denied any link between its drug and potentially deadly health effects, but has even continued to claim Vioxx was safe, even after it had been removed from the market.
Merck is to set the criteria for out of court settlements, which is likely to lower its costs but could also mean that patients that have suffered after taking Merck could benefit from a payout rather than risk losing in court and facing court costs.
Merck To Settle Some... | Printable Version (Opens In New Window)