Judge Denies Motion to Remand, Awards Summary Judgment to Merck Sales Reps

LAKE CHARLES, La. - A federal judge refused to remand a case filed by a man who claims he suffered a stroke after using Vioxx and awarded summary judgment to the seven Merck sales representatives who allegedly failed to inform the man's prescribing physician of the potential dangers associated with the ingestion of the arthritis drug. Anthony Mallet, et ux., v. Merck & Co., Inc., et al., No. 02-CV-2304 (W.D. La., Lake Charles Div.).

U.S. District Judge James T. Trimble entered judgment Aug. 29 after the parties involved in the case failed to submit any additional summary judgment-type evidence …