Suit Alleges Merck Negligently Promoted Osteoporosis Drug Fosamax
April 21, 2006 15:31

"Merck & Co., which is already facing a raft of cases over its pain reliever Vioxx, may need to hire additional attorneys to fight a recently filed lawsuit alleging the company was negligent in promoting its osteoporosis drug Fosamax. According to a lawsuit... (Read this Vioxx Article)

"Painkillers called COX-2 inhibitors may increase the risk of heart attacks by raising blood pressure and making the blood more likely to clot, researchers said on Thursday. They do so by the same mechanisms that they use to reduce pain and inflammation, said... (Read this Vioxx Article)

"A state judge on Wednesday refused a plaintiff's motion to lift a Texas cap on jury awards for punitive damages in a lawsuit over Merck & Co.'s once-popular painkiller Vioxx. State District Judge Alex Gabert ruled in the lawsuit brought by a family of a retired 71-year-old man seeking $1 billion - one of nearly 10,000 suits alleging the once-popular painkiller caused heart attacks. Texas caps punitive damages at twice the amount of economic damages awarded, and at $750,000 in addition to any non-economic damages awarded such as those for pain and suffering." Read More...

New research published in the March 2006 edition of the Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine indicates that the popular arthritis and painkilling drug celecoxib (CELEBREX) may double the risk for heart attacks compared to older arthritis medications.... (Read this Vioxx Article)

RIO GRANDE CITY, Texas -- A Texas state jury has awarded $32 million to the family of a 71-year-old man who suffered a fatal heart attack in 2001 after taking Vioxx for less than a month. Garza, et al. v. Evans, et al., No. DC-03-84 (Texas 229th Jud. Dist. Ct., Starr Cty.). The April 21 verdict was reached moments ago by the 10-man, two-woman jury after about eight hours of deliberations over two days in the 229th Judicial District Court for Starr County. The damages awarded to the family of Leonel Garza Sr. include $7 million in compensatory damages for mental anguish and personal loss, and $25 million in punitive damages.