MDL Judge Says PSC Can Compel Trial Testimony of Merck Executive

NEW ORLEANS - A judge has ordered that the Plaintiff Steering Committee for the federal Vioxx MDL shall be permitted to elicit trial testimony of Merck & Co. Inc. corporate officer David Anstice for the next MDL trial. In Re: Vioxx Products Liability Litigation, MDL No. 1657 (E.D. La.).

Notwithstanding objections from Merck, Judge Eldon E. Fallon of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana ordered on June 29 that the PSC may compel Anstice to attend and testify live at trial in New Orleans, testify via simultaneous transmission from another location, or request that the MDL …