Merck Challenges MDL Plaintiffs' Request for Arcoxia Data

LAFAYETTE, La. - Merck is fighting an effort by plaintiffs in the Vioxx MDL to gather addition discovery of information related to the COX-2 drug Arcoxia, which is not yet approved in the United States. In re: Vioxx Products Liability Litigation, MDL Docket No. 1657 (E.D. La.).

According to an opposition brief filed Sept. 26 in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana, the defendant says it has produced enough information about the drug in related litigation and that any further production of documents sought by plaintiffs would be burdensome and could possibly expose company trade secrets.