Florida sues Merck over Vioxx costs

Executive Summary

The Attorney General of Florida filed suit against Merck, claiming the company misrepresented and suppressed evidence about the risks of Vioxx (rofecoxib) and as a result its agencies suffered damages from purchasing the drug. The suit notes that the Florida Medicaid Program alone purchased at least $80 million of the pain reliever. An appeals court recently ruled that shareholders could pursue a securities class action alleging Merck defrauded investors by failing to disclose problems with Vioxx (1"The Pink Sheet," Sept. 15, 2008, p. 17)