MDL Judge Modifies Order to Allow Certain Ex Parte Communications with Physicians

NEW ORLEANS - The judge overseeing the Vioxx MDL has modified a previous order that placed notice restrictions on any parties' communications with plaintiffs' prescribing physicians. In Re: Vioxx Products Liability Litigation, MDL Docket No. 1657 (E.D. La.).

In an order entered July 22, Judge Eldon E. Fallon altered the prior order's five-day notice requirement, which was designed to give both sides an opportunity to be present during the physician meetings, and ruled that they would only apply where the prescribing physician was named as a defendant in the case.

The order came after plaintiffs moved to modify Judge Fallon's …