New Jersey Judge Certifies Vioxx Class Action Suit

By Dave Wilson

Published on August 09, 2005

The lawsuit was brought against Merck on behalf of all third-party payors, those organizations that paid for Vioxx used by patients. These included HMOs, managed-care organizations, unions, and employers. The judge's ruling to certify the class action lawsuit created the largest Vioxx claim so far.

In her decision, the judge stated that New Jersey was the appropriate venue for the class action lawsuit, in part because Merck's corporate headquarters are based there. The pharmaceutical manufacturer did not immediately comment on the decision.

Since Vioxx was pulled from the shelves in 2004, over 2,000 claims have been filed in New Jersey alone. Merck has reportedly set aside $675 million to fight Vioxx lawsuits in court, and some analysts have estimated that the company's liabilities could eventually be as high as $18 billion.

Vioxx was recalled after a research study showed that the arthritis drug increased the risk of heart attack and stroke in patients who had been taking Vioxx for at least 18 months.

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