MSD’s Vioxx defence comes to a close

Merck Sharp & Dohme (MSD) has closed its defence of its once-popular drug Vioxx in a US courtroom.

Two long term users of the painkiller are suing the pharmaceutical firm saying that long-term Vioxx use caused them to suffer heart attacks.

Pulled in September 2004 after the drug was found to double the risk of heart attacks, Merck has already lost one but won two cases relating to Vioxx’s side-effects.

Chuck Harrell, a spokesman for Merck’s legal team, said: “We feel the evidence presented at the trial showed that Merck acted responsibly in testing the drug prior to it going to market and continuing to test it afterward and sharing that information with the FDA [US food and drug administration] and voluntarily withdrawing it.”

A further 9,650 Vioxx-related suits are faced by the company after it was found that risk of heart attacks and strokes doubled after 18 months’ use.

In the current trial in New Jersey, Cona, 59 and John McDarby, 77, claim that Vioxx should have warned them of the risks which led to their heart attacks.

They allege that the company knew of the risks but sold the drug anyway and instead fought rules that would have required it to label the hazards of Vioxx use.

However, conflicting statements from Mr Cona’s doctors over his condition after his heart attack may go against the plaintiffs.

The trial started on March 6th and the closing arguments should begin on Monday.

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