Merck CEO to Testify in N.J. Vioxx Litigation; Court Issues Confidentiality Order

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. - Merck CEO Raymond V. Gilmartin has been ordered to testify regarding his knowledge of risk associated with Vioxx prior to the company's decision to voluntarily withdraw the arthritis drug from the market. In re: VIOXX Litigation, No. 619 (N.J. Super. Ct., Atlantic Cty.).

Numerous sources reported Dec. 27 that Judge Carol E. Higbee, who oversees nearly 300 pending Vioxx lawsuits in New Jersey's Atlantic County Superior Court, ordered Gilmartin to answer questions from attorneys handling personal injury claims on behalf of plaintiffs allegedly injured by the drug. Judge Higbee issued the order following a regularly scheduled …