Merck says will vigorously fight Texas Vioxx suit

Merck & Co. Inc. said on Tuesday it will conduct a “vigorous defense” of itself in a Vioxx product liability suit scheduled to go to trial on January 24 in Texas.

Merck said it believes evidence in the case will show that its withdrawn painkiller Vioxx did not cause the heart attack of the plaintiff, Leonel Garza Sr., who died of the attack on April 21, 2001.

Merck pulled Vioxx off the market in September 2004 after a study showed the drug significantly increased the risk of heart attacks and strokes in patients who had been taking it for at least 18 months.

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