Merck Notches 11th Trial Win in Florida Vioxx Case

TAMPA, Fla. - A state court jury in Florida has returned a verdict in favor of Merck & Co. in what is the 11th time the drug maker has won at trial for claims alleging injury caused by Vioxx since the company pulled the drug from worldwide markets in 2004. Kozic v. Merck & Co. Inc., et al., No. 03-9248 (Fla. 13th Jud. Cir. Ct., Hillsborough Cty.).

The Hillsborough County Circuit Court jury unanimously held Oct. 5 that Vioxx was not a cause of plaintiff Refik Kozic's 2001 heart attack, which he suffered after taking the arthritis drug for nine …