Judge Dismisses Claims Against Pharmacy That Dispensed Arthritis Drug

RENO, Nev. - A pharmacy accused of failing to warn patients of the potential dangers of using Vioxx was dismissed from a suit involving 52 plaintiffs who allegedly sustained injuries or died as a result of using the arthritis medication. Carol Abbott, et al., v. Merck & Co, Inc., et al., No. CV-S-03-501-RLH-LRL (D. Nev.).

U.S. District Judge Roger L. Hunt's minute entry dismissed the claims against the pharmacy and denied the plaintiffs' motion to remand.

On Dec. 17, 2002, the plaintiffs filed suit in Nevada's Eighth Judicial District Court for Clark County. According to an amended complaint filed …