Merck Settles Vioxx Lawsuits for $4.85 Billion Without Admitting Fault
National News • November 12, 2007
Merck & Co. said last Friday it will pay $4.85 billion to end thousands of lawsuits over its painkiller Vioxx in what is believed to be the largest drug settlement ever.
Merck faced personal ...
Insurance Journal is not responsible for the content of the message below.
Subject: Side effects
Posted On: November 12, 2007, 3:22 pm CST
Posted By: caffiend
Comment:
What has always bothered me about this whole affair is how it was handled.
1) The FDA approved this drug, and as many side effects as were known were listed on the informational sheet provided with the medication. So the increased risk of heart attack/stroke was noted.
2) The doctors that prescribed the drugs should have discussed the risks with the users as well as their family members and decided if the risk was acceptable.
3) The pharmacists dispensing this medication should have explained the usage, side effect warning signs, and risks of using this medication with their clients.
So after all these steps, people are suprised that they too are subject to possible side effects, that they are mortal?
Also there are people out there that would still use Vioxx even with the risks, just to be pain free. I disagree with the fact that Merck was forced to pull the entire product, restrictions would have been sufficent.
Subject: Side effects
1) The FDA approved this drug, and as many side effects as were known were listed on the informational sheet provided with the medication. So the increased risk of heart attack/stroke was noted.
2) The doctors that prescribed the drugs should have discussed the risks with the users as well as their family members and decided if the risk was acceptable.
3) The pharmacists dispensing this medication should have explained the usage, side effect warning signs, and risks of using this medication with their clients.
So after all these steps, people are suprised that they too are subject to possible side effects, that they are mortal?
Also there are people out there that would still use Vioxx even with the risks, just to be pain free. I disagree with the fact that Merck was forced to pull the entire product, restrictions would have been sufficent.