Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Oz Vioxx victims sign up for class action - www.6minutes.com.au

Vioxx victims sign up for class action - www.6minutes.com.au: "Patients who experienced myocardial infarction after taking the arthritis drug Vioxx (rofecoxib) have been urged to register for a class action against its manufacturer, Merck.

A large advertisement in today’s Australian newspaper, printed by order of the Federal Court, says people who believe they are eligible to take action or intend to make an individual claim against Merck have until 25 August to register.

In March, the Federal Court ruled that Vioxx was defective and doubled the risk of heart attacks, awarding $287,000 to a Victorian man who experience myocardial infarction in 2003 after having taken the drug for two years.

Merck is appealing the ruling, which paves the way for a class action for patients who obtained and completed a Vioxx prescription after 30 June 1999, who suffered and were diagnosed with myocardial infarction, and experienced this after completing their first prescription but before 30 weeks after ceasing to take the drug.

The March ruling dismissed claims of injuries other than myocardial infarction.

Vioxx was withdrawn from sale in September 2004.

The firm acting on behalf of victims, Slater and Gordon, says it represents around 600 Australian patients who took Vioxx between 2000 and 2004.

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