Vioxx Withdrawal Could Cost Merck Billions

The decision by Merck to withdraw Vioxx from the market could cost the company as much as $18 billion over the next decade.

Dr. David Graham and colleagues examined the records of 1.39 million Kaiser Permanente members, 26,748 of whom took Vioxx and 40,405 of whom took Celebrex, a COX-2 inhibitor manufactured by Pfizer. The study found that high doses of Vioxx, or rofecoxib, tripled patient risk for heart attacks and sudden cardiac death.

The report estimates the number of likely serious heart attacks and strokes for the 20 million Vioxx patients in the United States based on data from the Graham study.

More than 50,000 Vioxx patients might have experienced heart attacks or strokes and could file lawsuits against Merck. For each jury award or settlement, the report estimates Merck would pay between $100,000 and $300,000. In addition, lawsuits filed against Merck by Vioxx patients who allege other injuries could cost the company $1 billion to $2 billion, according to the reports.

As of now, Merck faces 300 lawsuits related to Vioxx, and hundreds more are expected.

Vioxx Recall News

November 4, 2004 - Vioxx withdrawal could cost Merck billions

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