• 23
  • January
    2012

The pharmaceutical Merck announced last Thursday that it had reached a deal to settle hundreds of Canadian lawsuits connected to the painkiller Vioxx. According to sources, the settlement will be at least $21.6 million, and may rise to as much as $36.5 million. The agreement is apparently still awaiting approval by Canadian courts.

Merck took Vioxx off the market back in September of 2004 after the company's research found the drug doubled patient's risk of heart of attack, stroke and death. The move caused the company's stock to drop and brought on a multitude of lawsuits in both the United States and other countries. According to the suits, Merck did not adequately disclose the drug's known health risks before it was taken off the market.

Merck has won roughly two-thirds of the suits that went to trial. One settlement, which involved about 50,000 U.S. patients, ended at $4.85 billion. The government has been involved in the matter.

Last November, the company resolved a government investigation into its marketing of the drug. That settlement included about $321.6 million in criminal fines. Merck plead guilty to marketing Vioxx as a treatment for rheumatoid arthritis prior to receiving FDA approval. The company also paid roughly $682.4 million of fees in connection with a civil settlement with the federal government

Thursday's settlement covers former users of Vioxx or their survivors, who suffered a heart attack or died from a heart attack.

It is truly unfortunate that drug companies sometimes engage in practices that put patients at risk. Fortunately, legal action can address some of these issues.

Source: Washington Post, "Merck makes deal to settle Canadian Vioxx lawsuits for up to C$37 million, admits no liability," January 19, 2012.