Merck Pays $23 Million to End Vioxx Drug-Purchase Suits
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Merck & Co., which paid $4.85 billion to resolve lawsuits contending its Vioxx painkiller caused heart attacks, will pay another $23 million to settle claims it duped consumers into buying the drug.
Merck agreed to pay consumers seeking to band together in a nationwide group lawsuit at least $50 each for their economic losses tied to Vioxx, such as prescription costs, according to filings in federal court in Louisiana. A judge in New Orleans has overseen litigation spawned by the drug since 2005.