Addition of Drug Reps to Amended Complaint
Deemed Unnecessary; Motion to Remand Denied

LAKE CHARLES, La-A Louisiana man's attempt to name individual sales representatives as co-defendants in a Vioxx products liability case was denied by a federal judge who decided the action was intended to defeat federal jurisdiction. Abrusley v. Merck & Co., Inc., et al., No. 02-0196 (W.D. La.).

U.S. Magistrate Judge Alonzo P. Wilson of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Louisiana Lake Charles Division concluded in his June 18 decision that Merck would be vicariously liable for the alleged negligence of its employees. He also stated that the inclusion of sales representatives in the plaintiff's motion to …