Court Reverses Venue Ruling, Orders Transfer of Vioxx Class Action

MT. VERNON, Ill. - A state appellate court has reversed a decision denying Merck & Co. Inc.'s motion to transfer for improper venue a class action alleging consumer fraud and deceptive business practices in the marketing and promotion of Vioxx. Rensing v. Merck & Co. Inc., et al., No. 5-05-0326 (Ill. App. Ct., 5th Dist.).

In a 2-1 decision, the 5th District Appellate Court of Illinois said in a July 14 published opinion that the Circuit Court of St. Clair County erred in denying Merck's motion to transfer the lawsuit to Cook County, where Merck has its Illinois registered office …