Merck to appeal over Vioxx award

The gates have opened for a long line of lawsuits against the US drug manufacturer Merck and Co, following the award by a jury in Texas of US $253m (£141m) to the widow of a man who died after taking Vioxx.

The verdict is likely to be greatly reduced under Texas law, but the scale of the award has triggered interest from potential claimants around the world. Merck says it plans to appeal.

According to law firm MSB Solicitors, in Liverpool, it is working with around 150 British plaintiffs who plan to sue Merck and similar numbers are being quoted for other countries.

Merck pulled Vioxx off the market in September 2004, saying its long-term usage could double users' risks of heart attack or stroke. Launched in the US in 1999, the drug is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory used to reduce pain and inflammation and has been marketed in more than 80 countries with worldwide sales in 2003 of $2.5bn.

The drugmaker is examining various bases for appeal: 'We believe that we have strong points to raise on appeal and are hopeful that the appeals process will correct the verdict,' said Kenneth C. Frazier, senior vice-president and general counsel of Merck. 'Our appeal is about fundamental rights to a fair trial.'