Vioxx victim receives over 13 million dollars in damages

As reported earlier, not only Merck - the maker of painkiller Vioxx - has lost the lawsuit filed by John McDarby, the jury has awarded as much as $13.5 million in damages.

This is a severe blow to the company as it has essentially confirmed what scientists outside the company had known for years - Vioxx was a serious threat to the cardivascular health of arthritis patients. The evidence that was presented during the trial in New Jersey convinced the jurors that Merck did not disclose vital safety data and tried to mislead the FDA, doctors, and patients. The jury also ruled that the company's actions were meant to cause harm. In other words, as has been said by many, Merck put profit ahead of human life.

As many as 10,000 lawsuits have been filed against Merck and this decision will motivate other victims to come forward. The FDA estimates that 60,000 Americans are dead after taking Vioxx.

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