Vioxx Claim (Rofecoxib)
Merck has been in the spotlight over the past few years, mostly due to the adverse affects of their pain relieving drug, Vioxx. Vioxx was FDA approved to relieve the pain of arthritis and found instant success. Soon after the mass distribution of the drug, Merck found itself in the middle of lawsuits for the life threatening side effects that have occurred. They were warned by the FDA to change their marketing practices due to the fact that the advertising for the drug misrepresented the safety information, made unsubstantiated comparative claims, and misrepresented the efficacy information.
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Some statements have been made implicating that Merck knew about the cardiovascular risks that were associated with it before the drug was approved by the FDA, but they did not exert enough caution. Though they had doubts about the safety of use, Merck allowed the drug to enter the market and failed to adequately warn consumers about the risks associated with taking the drug.
Early on, Merck claimed that it did not increase the risk for a heart attack but actually protected people from a heart attack. Evidence from a study performed has shown that the risk of heart disease can be prevalent after only a few weeks of use, but Merck covered up this evidence by claiming that it only increased cardiovascular risks after long-term use. The evidence that was covered up proves that Merck was well aware of the increased risks the drug posed to patients. An experienced lawyer will have the documents that prove that Merck had knowledge of the risks and when they became aware of them.
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The FDA estimated that:
- Nearly one hundred million prescriptions were sold between 1999 and 2003.
- Sales generated approximately $2.5 billion dollars in sales revenue each year that it was available on the market.
- That the number of US deaths totaled approximately 28,000, in November 2004, as a result of Vioxx-induced heart attacks and other fatal cardiovascular events.
In January 2005, the Financial Times claims that the number of deaths due to use had been underestimated in the original FDA report. The FDA now reportedly estimates that the total number of US Vioxx deaths in the US may be between 89,000 and 140,000, and worldwide deaths are estimated to be between 150,000 and 200,000.
The first lawsuit against Merck ended on August 19, 2005 in favor of a woman who was left widowed because her husband died due to the side effects. The Texas jury found Merck liable for the death and awarded her $253.4 million in compensatory and punitive damages. This case was the start of an ongoing nightmare for Merck. Currently 16,000 lawsuits have been made against the company regarding their once popular pain killer.
Are you seeking representation for a New York Vioxx Claim? Contact us for a free consultation on your New York Vioxx Claim today!
