Merck Agrees to Settlement Over Vioxx Ads

HARRISBURG, Pa. -- The drug manufacturer Merck has agreed to pay $58 million as part of a multi-state settlement over ads for its once-popular painkiller Vioxx, which some said deceptively played down health risks of taking the drug, according to the New York Times.

The settlement will also force Merck to run all of its television commercials through the Food and Drug Administration for review, the Times said.

Vioxx was taken off the market in 2004 after research showed it doubled the risk of heart attacks and strokes, the Times said, which led to thousands of lawsuits against Merck.

Merck is not admitting any wrongdoing under the settlement and defended its marketing of Vioxx in a statement this week.

-- NYSSCPA.org News Staff

Posted on 5/21/08