Tuesday, November 22, 2005

A matter of interpretation

With the third Vioxx trial fast approaching (and it's the first Federal case) the judge has been setting down some ground rules:

"In essence, both the Plaintiff and Merck rely on the same material," U.S. District Judge Eldon Fallon wrote in a 57-page ruling. "They simply interpret it differently and reach contrary conclusions. The Court's role as gate-keeper is to scrutinize the methodology, not the conclusions."

The key question: How quickly does Vioxx increase a patients risk of having a heart attack?

The trial begins on November 29th in Houston, where it was moved after Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans.

Insider has booked a ringside seat.

http://www.theledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051121/APF/511210925

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