Vioxx class action in Australia

Australians are launching a class action against Merck over Vioxx:

More than 400 Australians have launched a class action for personal damages from the manufacturers of the anti-arthritis drug, Vioxx.

The drug has been found to increase the risk of stroke and heart attacks, and was globally recalled in September last year.

Law firm Slater and Gordon is bringing the class action against Merck and Co, the American manufacturer of Vioxx and its Australian subsidiary.

Special counsel Richard Meeran says clients have a compelling case for compensation.

“This drug is a defective drug - it increases the risk of heart attack and stroke by a very significant amount,” he said.

“It had been marketed and promoted by the company as being safer than the the alternative drug, when in fact the opposite seems to have been the case.”

Mr Meeran says there is evidence the drug’s manufacturers knew Vioxx posed a risk.

“Vioxx was recalled last year at the end of September by the company because the company’s own study has shown that users of Vioxx has a significantly increased rate of cardiovascular problems,” he said.

“We’re not seeking specific amounts for any body - as I said the amounts will vary and I wouldn’t want to put figures on the amounts of damages for that reason because they’ll be so variable,” he said.

Source: ABC News Online