Vioxx Law

A Wall Street Journal article report that records from Merck show that a committee monitoring the safety of Vioxx in a clinical trial had early data suggesting users could be at increased risk of heart problems after as little as four months.

The article said that Merck’s vice president of public affairs, Joan Wainwright, said in a written statement the committee “provided the exact kind of oversight and monitoring of patient safety that is needed in a clinical trial and met its professional and ethical responsibilities in raising safety concerns when it did.”

As a result of the Vioxx lawsuits, Merck said fourth quarter 2004 earnings fell to $1.1 billion compared to $1.4 billion in 2003. For the year, earnings fell to $5.8 billion on sales of $22.5 billion, down from $6.6 billion in 2003. The earnings were in line with previous guidance from the company and analysts’ forecasts.

As of December 31 Merck faced 575 lawsuits from about 1,400 plaintiff groups alleging personal injuries from the use of Vioxx. In addition, it faces 14 class action lawsuits from shareholders accusing the company of providing misleading information. The legal actions may go to court as early as the first half of 2005.

Raymond V. Gilmartin, Merck’s Chief Executive Officer, may testify in some of the New Jersey filed lawsuits involving Vioxx. Almost half of the 475 lawsuits have been filed in New Jersey. Scheduling for pretrial depositions is expected to happen by March.

Superior Court Judge Carol E. Higbee issued a verbal order requiring Gilmartin to answer questions about his knowledge of risks associated with Vioxx prior to the recall.

Merch said they pulled Vioxx from the market after a new, internal study doubled the risk of heart attack and stroke in patients who had used it for 18 months or more. Consumer Activists insist that Merck downplayed the dangers shown in earlier studies.

Pfizer announced yesterday that they would stop all advertising of the best selling arthritus drug Celebrex immediately.

After spending nearly $70 million dollars in the first nine months of 2004, Pfizer decided to pull their television, radio, newspaper and magazine advertising. The FDA agreed that it was the appropiate action.