Former Running Back Settles Suit Against Arthritis Drugs Makers

HATTIESBURG, Miss. - The former University of Southern Mississippi running back, who claimed his use of Celebrex and Vioxx caused him to suffer kidney failure that necessitated transplant, settled his suit against the drugs' manufacturers. Derrick Nix v. Pharmacia Corp., et al., No. 03-CV-265 (S.D. Miss.).

U.S. District Judge Charles W. Pickering's Oct. 24 judgment dismissed the plaintiff's claims with prejudice, thus barring him from taking any further legal action against Vioxx-manufacturer Merck and Celebrex-manufacturer Pfizer. According to the ruling, the court retains jurisdiction over the matter to enforce the settlement agreement.

Representatives for both sides told HarrisMartin Publishing that …