Opinion ID: 1211810
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: First Vioxx Product Liability Lawsuit (May 2001)

Text: In May 2001, a product liability lawsuit was filed jointly against Merck and the makers of Celebrex, a rival COX-2 selective inhibitor. The complaint alleged that the pharmaceutical companies have consistently marketed Vioxx and Celebrex as highly effective pain relief drugs for patients suffering from osteoarthritis, despite the fact that Merck's own research demonstrated that users of Vioxx were four times as likely to suffer heart attacks as compared to other less expensive medications, or combinations thereof. App. at 1748. The plaintiffs sought emergency notice to class members and revised patient warnings, in the form of additional medical labeling which is presently being considered by the FDA. ... App. at 1748.