Merck Asks Judge to Throw Out Causation Testimony in Vioxx Death Case

ANGLETON, Texas - There is no scientific evidence to support a widow's claim that her husband's death from a non-thrombotic cardiac arrhythmia was caused by his ingestion of Vioxx, Merck contends in a brief filed recently in Texas. Ernst v. Merck & Co. Inc., et al., No. 19961*BH02 (Texas Dist. Ct., Brazoria Cty.).

Merck made the argument in a June 28 motion to exclude causation evidence that has been offered by experts testifying on behalf of Carol Ernst, who sued the manufacturer blaming Vioxx for her husband Robert's death. The case was expected to go to trial on July11 in …