Vioxx Lawsuits Swamp Merck

Updated from 2:49 p.m. EST

Merck (MRK Quote) Tuesday said that 475 personal injury lawsuits have been filed against the company relating to its withdrawal of Vioxx from the market on Sept. 30.

Kenneth C. Frazier, senior vice president and general counsel, said the company will vigorously defend against the lawsuits, seeking to try the lawsuits on a case-by-case basis because each patient taking the drug has a different set of circumstances and medical conditions.

Frazier told analysts Tuesday that the product liability cases include 1,100 plaintiff groups. Forty percent of the cases have been filed in federal court; 60% have been filed in state court. Frazier said Merck will try to have all cases moved to federal court. The lawsuit data are through Nov. 30, representing an increase of 100 cases from Oct. 31. ...