Merck: Foreign Vioxx Class Actions Belong in Home Jurisdictions, Not MDL

NEW ORLEANS - The judge overseeing the federal Vioxx MDL has denied plaintiffs' motion to strike Merck & Co. Inc.'s motion to dismiss all foreign class actions under forum non conveniens, but has granted the plaintiffs two months to file a formal opposition. In Re: Vioxx Products Liability Litigation, MDL No. 1657 (E.D. La.).

Judge Eldon E. Fallon of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana handed down the order on March 23 immediately following the MDL's monthly pretrial conference. The judge provided the plaintiffs 60 days to file their opposition to Merck's motion to dismiss the …