The Texas state court awarded USD253 million (RM936 million) in damages to Carol Ernst, the widow of Robert Ernst who died in May 2001 from heart failure after using Vioxx to treat arthritic pain in his hands. On August 19, 2005, the 12-member jury found US drug gaint Merck & Co guilty of wrongful death of Robert Ernst who used the painkiller Vioxx and awarded USD24 million for mental anguish and loss of companionship, plus USD229 million in punitive damages.
Merck said it would appeal against the decision.
The drug had been taken by about 20 million people worldwide before its withdrawal last September after an internal study showed it increased the risk of strokes and heart attacks.
It is reported that more than 100 Australians are preparing to take legal action. Lawyer Richard Meeran siad his firm was representing more than 100 Australians who believed they had suffered heart attacks after using Vioxx.
Merck has been deluged with lawsuits since it withdraw its billion-dollar seller Vioxx from the market.
Merck said it would appeal against the decision.
The drug had been taken by about 20 million people worldwide before its withdrawal last September after an internal study showed it increased the risk of strokes and heart attacks.
It is reported that more than 100 Australians are preparing to take legal action. Lawyer Richard Meeran siad his firm was representing more than 100 Australians who believed they had suffered heart attacks after using Vioxx.
Merck has been deluged with lawsuits since it withdraw its billion-dollar seller Vioxx from the market.
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