Vioxx - Defective Drugs Lawyers & Attorneys

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Vioxx

NEWS: 11/09/2007 MERCK SETTLES VIOXX CLAIMS, MERCK to PAY 4.85 Billion:

TRENTON, N.J. - Merck & Co. issued a statement Friday it will pay $4.85 billion to end thousands of state and federal lawsuits over its painkiller Vioxx in one of the largest drug settlements ever.

Merck has estimated that the deal, if it's accepted, would end 45,000 to 50,000 personal injury lawsuits of U.S. Vioxx users who suffered or were injured via heart attack or ischemic stroke.

To qualify for a settlement, plaintiffs must have filed claims by Thursday (11/8/2007) and must meet several criteria, including medical proof that they suffered a heart attack or stroke, that they received at least 30 Vioxx pills.

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Vioxx is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that falls under the COX-2 Inhibitor class of medication. COX-2 drugs relieve pain and inflammation caused by arthritis or injured tissues without causing damage and discomfort to the gastrointestinal tract. Vioxx quickly became one of the most popular drugs in the history of American pharmaceuticals, and earned Merck, the company responsible for the drug, $2.5 billion in 2003 alone.

Unfortunately, scientists discovered that Vioxx caused a number of serious and potentially life-threatening side effects. Vioxx has been linked to blood clots, heart attacks, strokes, and other cardiovascular concerns. A clinical study released findings in 2004 revealed that people who used Vioxx for more than 18 months were twice as likely to suffer heart attacks and strokes than people who used other drugs.

Furthermore, newly released documents indicate that Merck knew that Vioxx could cause serious cardiovascular events, but chose to market the drugs as safe anyways. There is also initial evidence that Merck could have manipulated study data in order to receive FDA approval, despite the clear and present risk to the people who used it. The first lawsuits against Vioxx began pouring into the courts, ultimately causing Merck to remove the drug from the market in 2004.

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Vioxx Recall

When Vioxx was released in 1999, it was hailed as a wonder drug that was intended to relieve the pain and suffering of chronic inflammation without negatively affecting the stomach or gastrointestinal tract like other aspirin-type drugs. Later on, doctors discovered that Vioxx blocked the chemicals that enable the kidneys regulate circulatory pressure of the blood, which could cause a number of cardiovascular problems including heart attack and stroke.

Vioxx quickly topped the list of the most prescribed medications in the world after its release in 1999, and provided Merck, the company who created the drug, a financial windfall of almost 3 billion dollars. Tragically, however, by the time Vioxx was finally recalled in 2004 it had done a significant amount of damage.

A Food and Drug Administration panel of experts speculated in the four years prior to Merck finally recalling Vioxx the drug was probably responsible for almost 88,000 to 139,000 cardiovascular episodes. A staggering 30-40% of these circulation issues were fatal, although numbers from Merck are understandably lower. Millions of patients read these outrageous figures and were shocked to realize that they must now face the prospect that the drugs they depend on may kill them.

The fact that Merck had so blatantly violated the public trust is what led a jury in Texas to compensate Carol Ernst with a landmark settlement of $253.4 million for the loss of her husband Robert, who allegedly died of a Vioxx-induced heart attack. This case is the first of many punitive actions against Merck because there are still another 4200 Vioxx-related suits still pending.

Heart Attack

Vioxx is more likely than comparative anti-inflammatory drugs to cause cardiovascular problems in patients, including serious events such as heart attacks. Some studies have suggested that Vioxx is two or three times more likely to result in a heart attack than the use of naproxen, an alternative medication. Over eight thousand Americans suffered from Vioxx heart attacks between 1999 and 2001 alone, contributing to the over four thousand current law suits against Merck, the manufacturer of the drug.

One of the most unsettling aspects of Vioxx heart attacks is the fact that Merck knew about its risks and still promoted its use. Recently published Merck employee emails suggest that they attempted to cover up findings that indicated to the link between Vioxx and heart attacks. Some researchers at top medical schools across the country have even stated that Merck employees attempted to prevent negative information about their drugs from reaching the public. When this information is considered alongside the recent award of over $250 million given to a Vioxx widow whose husband suffered from a heart attack, it becomes apparent that thousands of Americans who were prescribed the drug should now seek justice against those who have endangered their lives.

Stroke

The long-term effects of a stroke can be devastating. Symptoms often include the loss of muscle function, vision, sensation, or speech and naturally, this condition can be extremely frustrating for patients, family members, and caregivers. It is shocking that such a serious medical condition can sometimes be the result of a substance that was prescribed to help patients manage their pain.

In June 2000, Merck submitted a study to the FDA regarding the safety of Vioxx. One of the conclusions made in the paper was that patients who used Vioxx had an increased risk of serious cardiovascular events. This made them more likely to have strokes than patients taking naproxen, a comparable pain reliever. As the manufacturer of the drug, Merck knew of the connection between Vioxx and strokes over one year before it was pulled off the shelves. It is nearly impossible to determine how many Americans have been put at risk before the drug was finally unavailable, but Vioxx was prescribed to thousands of patients.

If you or someone you know suffered a severe and negative reaction to Vioxx, you may be entitled to take legal action. On April 5, 2006, a man in New Jersey received a $4.5 million settlement against Merck, and other people just like him are using their legal rights to make their voices heard. Let a dedicated and experienced lawyer help you discover your rights and get you the compensation you deserve. Contact one today.