SPECIFIC PRODUCTS
VIOXX CLAIMS
MERCK VIOXX CLAIMS UK
On the 30th of September 2004 Merck & Co announced a voluntary worldwide withdrawal its arthritis and acute pain medication, launched in 1999, which was based on a placebo-controlled clinical trial involving 2,600 patients, designed to evaluate 25 mg doses of the drug used to treat certain illnesses. The trial showed that there was an increased risk of heart attack and stroke after about 18 months of treatment. This action has resulted in a very substantial number of potential Vioxx claims being registered in countries throughout the World with hundreds of notified claims and issued legal proceedings in the US alone where the potential damages bill has been estimated by analysts to exceed $20 billion. Concerns have also been raised about Celebrex which is a similar drug in the same class.
“We are taking this action because we believe it best serves the interests of patients,” said Raymond V. Gilmartin, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Merck. “Although we believe it would have been possible to continue to market Vioxx with labelling that would incorporate these new data, given the availability of alternative therapies, and the questions raised by the data, we concluded that a voluntary withdrawal is the responsible course to take.”
This drug is classified as a COX–2 inhibitor and it is estimated that over 600,000 prescriptions were written in the United Kingdom to over 400,000 patients before it was withdrawn in September 2004 leaving the potential for thousands of UK Vioxx claims. The manufacturer Merck has been severely criticised by a number of industry bodies for failing to disclose known hazards and an article in The Lancet recently concluded that the dangers were obvious to Merck at least four years before it withdrew the drug from the worldwide market.
Other COX-2 inhibitors include Bextra, Arcoxia, and Celebrex which block an enzyme which helps produce substances that cause inflammation and pain in arthritis sufferers. It is believed that COX–2 inhibitors may also cause narrowing of the arteries which can lead to heart problems. Pfizer, the manufacturer of Bextra has already issued a press release admitting that the drug may be linked to heart problems.
Our solicitors are personal injury experts and offer free legal advice on UK Vioxx claims. Time limits do apply and if you have suffered as a result of taking this drug you need urgent advice on how to take matters forward and how to protect your legal position. All claims are dealt with using the no win no fee scheme and are completely risk free. We do not ask for any financial contribution from you as the case proceeds.
Claims against Merck for financial settlement for injuries caused by this drug can be taken either on an individual basis or by the use of a procedural method known as a "multi party action" which allows a number of people with the same injury caused by the same product to sue as a group. The Consumer Protection Act 1987 will assist claimants as it is no longer necessary to prove that the manufacturer of a product is at fault and damages must be paid even when there is no evidence of negligence. If you would like free advice without obligation just phone 0800 849 3333 or complete and send the contact form
24/7 HELPLINE 0845 177 0700