Yesterday there was a verdict in the second Vioxx case against Merck, tried in New Jersey where Merck is located. Merck won. In this case, the victim in question had only been taking Vioxx for two months; although he had a heart attack, he did not die (In contrast to the first case in Texas, where the patient died and the plaintiff won a verdict of over $250 million). The jury found that in this case, Merck properly warned consumers about Vioxx risks, and therefore meaning Merck will not be held liable for the 2001 heart attack.
While these trials seem settled in the dust, it is important to keep in mind that many thousands of Vioxx trials still lie in wait: many of the cases far more compelling than the two previously tried. While the verdict of this case leans in favor or Merck, the evidence remains from the first trial that the drug maker tried to hide the risks of Vioxx. If time allows, many more interesting Vioxx cases should be occuring in the near future.
