Merck Announces 44,000 have signed up for Vioxx Settlement

In early March of 2008, Merck confirmed that over 44,000 claimants have enrolled in the $4.85 billion Vioxx settlement which signals that the settlement should be allowed to proceed. Merck previously indicated that at least 85% of claimants would have to join the settlement or it would not go forward. This should put an end to at least 45,000 lawsuits pending in state and federal court. Vioxx was withdrawn from the market in 2004 after its own study showed patients taking the painkiller for at least 18 months doubled their risk of heart attack.