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Global Vioxx Settlement “Unacceptable” To Merck CEO Richard Clark

With Three Vioxx Trials Under Its Belt, Merck Sticks To Its Guns

On January 3, 2006 Merck & Co.’s Chief Executive Officer Richard Clark told a Morgan Stanley pharmaceutical conference audience that Merck will defend itself against each and every Vioxx lawsuit filed against the drug company.  By rejecting the notion of any "global" settlement of Vioxx cases, Mr. Clark reiterated the the position taken earlier by Merck’s General Counsel, Kenneth Frazier.

At this Morgan Stanley conference, which was held in New York, Mr. Clark commented:

  • "Thinking about a global settlement or trying to put this behind us is totally unacceptable."
  • "We’ve had three cases, and as you know, at least to date, we haven’t written a check."

At the time of Mr. Clark’s remarks, of the more than 9,000 Vioxx lawsuits that had been filed, three cases had gone to trial with Merck losing the first, winning the second, and getting a "draw" by mistrial in the third.

Overall, most of the Vioxx cases filed thus far allege that Vioxx caused serious cardiovascular side effects such as heart attacks and strokes.

(Posted by: Tom Lamb)

One response to “Global Vioxx Settlement “Unacceptable” To Merck CEO Richard Clark”

  1. anonymous Avatar
    anonymous

    According to my Vioxx lawyer, they expect a global settlement to see the light of day at some point in between 2007 and 2009. I took Vioxx at the hospital strength dosage for two weeks, and
    one 25mg dosage, at home prior to my stroke. I was only 23 at the time. Presently, I am for the most part confined to a home hospital bed, due to my Vioxx related stroke. My right side remains paralyzed. I was basically healthy prior to my stroke. I was hospitalized only for severe joint pain. It has been said that Merck has proven to be the “Enron” of drug companies. They are even releasing a new drug to replace Vioxx. Of course, it will have all of the appropriate disclaimers on it. That way when a little less number of people start to have cardiovascular events, such as heart attacks and strokes from it, Merck unfortunately wouldn’t be held liable. Even after a global settlement, Merck would still be ahead overall (i.e.: profit margin, future profits, credibility being regained over time, etc.) As for us plaintiffs, those of us who have either died, or are severely injured much like myself or worse, are dying. This is despite that all Merck has to do is pay out a little money, (in comparison to how many billons that they are worth) and, in turn, proverbably wipe their hands clean of Vioxx, their one failed drug, amoungt dozens.

    Reply

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