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South Dakota Vioxx Lawyer

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There has never been a recall of a pharmaceutical product with the same magnitude of Vioxx, the wonder drug produced by the company Merck. Vioxx, also known as Rofecoxib, promised to alleviate serious pain caused by arthritis and menstruation, without the side effects commonly associated with other drugs of its kind. Gastric problems plagued those who were prescribed medicines for arthritis pain, but with Vioxx, that wasn't the case, as it was a non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID).

However, the realities came five years after Vioxx was originally put on the market, when Merck voluntarily recalled its product because it caused an increased risk of cardiovascular problems. Clinical trials illustrated Vioxx may cause a twofold increase in risk for problems like blood clots, heart attacks, and strokes. Studies suggest that the same mechanism that prohibits inflammation and makes the drug easier of the stomach, also blocks a substance that prevents heart problems. Nevertheless, Vioxx was given the green light by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for four long years after that and, as a result, thousands of people have suffered its dangerous and potentially fatal effects and have sued the pharmaceutical giant. When Merck finally and voluntarily pulled Vioxx off of the market, it became the largest drug recall in the history of the pharmaceutical industry.

One of the reasons, that Merck is being highly attacked is because of their masterful public relations, and aggressive marketing. It is estimated that they spent close to $500 million on promotional tactics and direct consumer advertising. It is believed that Merck knew about the dangers of fatality, and decided to cover up the clinical findings. Merck raked in 2.5 billion in sales that covered the globe in more than 80 countries. There is still debate about whether or not Merck was intentionally negligent about its drug's safety and, as more information has been revealed, there may be more evidence that the drug company misled the medical community and its patients. Particularly suspicious is the FDA's initial approval of Vioxx back in 1999.

If you had a prescription for Vioxx and think that you may have suffered injuries as a result, it's important that you talk to your doctor right away. You next contact, however, should be a Vioxx lawyer/attorney. According to testimony offered before the United States Senate, it is estimated that between 88,000 and 139,000 Americans experienced heart attacks due to Vioxx, and around 30 to 40 percent of those actually died. Therefore, approximately 27,000 and 55,000 deaths could have been prevented if the truth about Vioxx had been reported.

Product liability means that when a manufacturer creates a defective or deceptive product, it is responsible for any negative consequences that result. As a drug manufacturer, Merck was legally bound to disclose any and all risks associated with taking Vioxx. Almost every medicine is not without side effects, but when the side effects are unnecessarily risky or are not accompanied by clear warnings, there is a legal problem. From 1999 to 2005, people used Vioxx without knowing that they were putting themselves at risk for blood clots, heart attacks, and strokes. One family has won $250 million in damages against Merck for the death of their triathlete husband and father. It is obvious that Merck is to blame, and juries are awarding the compensation that these patients and families deserve. However, Merck can never replace the lives lost, and the health of many.

More than 80 million people worldwide have taken Vioxx, and if you, or a loved one are of the thousands who took the drug and suffered from its dangerous side effects, it is important that you talk to a Vioxx lawyer/attorney today. When big business victimizes everyday citizens, it can seem a daunting task to get retribution, but a Vioxx lawyer/attorney will help you use the courts to obtain just that. Merck has been found to be dishonest and greedy at the expense of innocent users.