-September 18, 2007
New York State and New York City recently filed a suit against Merck, the manufacturers of the controversial drug Vioxx.
Vioxx was finally recalled in 2004 after several reports were confirmed regarding its dangerous side effects.
Reason for the Lawsuit
The suit claims that Merck & Company concealed the dangers of Vioxx and because of their concealment, defrauded the state Medicaid program, which was paying for the prescriptions.
The drug, which was prescribed to treat severe cases of arthritis and migraines, reportedly caused heart attacks and strokes in patients.
“Merck’s irresponsible and duplicitous conduct endangered the health of New Yorkers and wasted our tax dollars,” stated Attorney General Andrew M. Cuomo.
Other States File Suits
Several other states have filed suits against the drug manufacturer’s for similar reasons.
Alaska, Louisiana, Mississippi, Montana, Utah and Texas have all filed suits asking Merck for a refund for Medicaid.
Vioxx Prescribed to Thousands
In 1999, when Vioxx initially went on the market, it was prescribed to thousands throughout the country suffering from arthritis and the amount of patients prescribed the drug, from then on, just increased as time progressed.
The New York state insurance for the poor and the Elderly Pharmaceutical Insurance Program reportedly spent more than $100 million on prescriptions before it was recalled in 2004.
(Source: The New York Times)
Have you or someone you know been harmed by Vioxx? Contact us today to speak with an experienced attorney who will enable you to receive compensation in your case.
