The Drug Company Wants You To Know What It Thinks About The Vioxx Litigation

Merck & Co. has turned to the Internet in order to further disseminate their positions concerning the ongoing Vioxx litigation including, among other things, the critical issue of when Merck first learned about the increased cariovascular risks associated with Vioxx.

It may seem odd that in mid-May 2006 Merck went "live" with a new Vioxx web site — which can be found at www.learnaboutvioxx.com — given that Vioxx was voluntarily recalled by Merck in September 2004.  Merck appears, however, to be using this "Learn About Vioxx" web site to generously assist those people who want a better understanding of the Vioxx litigation — from the drug company’s perspective.

For that purpose, in the "Merck Responds" section of this new Vioxx site, the drug company presents these four subjects:

1. What Merck Knew
2. Disclosing the Data
3. Marketing of Vioxx
4. Benefits and Risks

One can also read "An Open Letter from Merck", written by Raymond V. Gilmartin, the retired Chairman, President, and CEO of Merck & Co.

Some of the other parts from this new Vioxx web site that provide the Merck perspective concerning the Vioxx litigation are: 

• Behind The Science;
• Litigation Information;
• In The News;
• Timeline; and
• Additional Resources.

In the "Additional Resources" section (for whatever reason) one can find links to these organizations:

Center for Legal Policy at the Manhattan Institute

American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research

American Tort Reform Association

American Tort Reform Foundation

On another front, here is an overview of the Vioxx cases that had been filed as of March 31, 2006, according to the April 2006 edition of Mealey’s Litigation Report: Arthritis Drugs, Vol.2, Iss. 11 (4/06) at p.15:

". . . 11,500 lawsuits, comprising approximately 23,350 plaintiff groups alleging personal injuries from Vioxx."

". . . 190 putative class actions alleging personal injuries and/or economic loss have also been filed." 

"Some 5,175 actions are or will be in the federal MDL and approximately 5,250 are included in the coordinated proceeding in New Jersey Superior Court that has yielded two trials thus far." 

"An additional 4,450 potential litigants had entered into tolling agreements with the company over alleged injuries from a thrombotic cardiovascular event that results in a myocardial infarction or ischemic stroke."

Anyhow, be sure to visit LearnAboutVioxx.com often in the months and years to come so that you can stay informed about the Vioxx litigation, courtesy of Merck.

(Posted by: Tom Lamb)