Merck to Pay $950M in Vioxx Settlement

Merck has reached settlement with federal and state authorities over arthritis treatment Vioxx and will pay nearly $1bn in the settlement.

Merck has agreed to pay a $950m fine to settle criminal and civil charges that it misrepresented the safety of its anti-inflammatory drug Vioxx.

Under civil settlement agreements signed with the US and individually with 42 states, Merck will pay a $628.4m civil settlement to resolve allegations that it promoted the drug for treating rheumatoid arthritis before it had been approved for that indication by the US FDA.

The Justice Department also alleged that Vioxx, the generic name of which is rofecoxib, has been linked to the increased risk of heart attacks and strokes.

Merck pled guilty to a misdemeanour charge and will pay an additional $321.6m for introducing the misbranded drug into interstat