State of Texas Sues Merck over Vioxx Medicaid Payments

AUSTIN, Texas - Alleging that for years Merck & Co. withheld information about the dangers of Vioxx, the State of Texas has filed a lawsuit against the drug manufacturer, seeking civil penalties and two times the amount it paid for Vioxx prescriptions under the state's Medicaid program. The State of Texas v. Merck & Co., Inc., No. n/a (Texas Dist. Ct., Travis Cty.).

In a complaint filed June 29 in the Travis County District Court, the State of Texas, through its attorney general, alleges that Merck's actions with regard to the sales and marketing of its now-withdrawn arthritis drug violated …