New Jersey Vioxx Judge Certifies Third Party Payor Class

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. - A New Jersey judge has certified a class of third-party payors who claimed they were duped into purchasing Vioxx prescriptions based on what they allege were material misrepresentations by Merck indicating that the drug was safe. International Union of Operating Engineers Local #68 Welfare Fund v. Merck & Co., Inc., No. ATL-L-3015-03-MT (N.J. Super. Ct., Atlantic Cty.).

Judge Carol E. Higbee of the Atlantic County Superior Court released the decision on July 29, determining that the class action met all of the requirements necessary for certification under New Jersey law.

The International Union of Operating Engineers …