Vioxx litigation update
Executive Summary
Merck is named as defendant in 2,300 Vioxx-related lawsuits, including 4,600 plaintiff groups alleging personal injuries following the use of the COX-2 inhibitor. The first trials are scheduled for May 23 in Alabama and May 31 in Texas. Merck has $675 mil. in reserve to cover the legal costs associated with the withdrawal of Vioxx in September 2004 (1"The Pink Sheet" Jan. 31, 2005, p. 7)...