Calif. Vioxx Plaintiff Severs All Claims Against Distributors

LOS ANGELES - A potential plaintiff for California's second Vioxx trial has agreed to dismiss all claims against two distributor defendants and to proceed only with claims against Merck & Co. Inc. for alleged Vioxx-related personal injuries. Vioxx® Cases, JCCP No. 4247 (Calif. Super. Ct., Los Angeles Cty.).

On Sept. 5, plaintiff Lawrence Appell filed a joint stipulation with McKesson Corp. and AmerisourceBergen Drug Corp. to sever the two healthcare services companies from Appell's product liability suit.

'The Parties hereto believe that the severance of McKesson and AmerisourceBergen from this trial case would promote the interests of justice, convenience, judicial …