Merck Says Italy, France Offer Adequate Forums for Vioxx Trials

NEW ORLEANS - Merck & Co. Inc. recently renewed its arguments to dismiss from the federal Vioxx MDL under forum non conveniens all putative class actions brought by Italian and French plaintiffs, or, alternatively, to strike their class allegations. In Re: Vioxx Products Liability Litigation, MDL No. 1657 (E.D. La.).

In a July 3 reply memorandum, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana, Merck denies the plaintiffs' assertions that Italy and France are inadequate forums and that the public and private interest factors favor trial in the United States. Instead, Merck maintains that both foreign …