Merck Concealed Cardiovascular Dangers of Vioxx, Plaintiff Alleges

MINNEAPOLIS - A suit filed against Merck by a man who claims he suffered a heart attack after using Vioxx states that the company concealed and misrepresented the popular arthritis drug's ability to cause adverse cardiovascular events. Donald L. Malone v. Merck & Co., Inc., No. 03-CV-5165 (D. Minn.).

The complaint, filed Sept. 3 in the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota, states that Merck downplayed the cardiovascular dangers of Vioxx in order to compete with a rival drug maker and earn a larger share of the arthritis drug market.

"Defendant concealed the serious cardiovascular risks …