Vioxx MDL Judge Orders Briefing on Remaining Foreign Class Actions

NEW ORLEANS - A judge has ordered plaintiffs to file briefs addressing any final issues concerning Merck & Co. Inc.'s motion to dismiss under forum non conveniens all remaining foreign class actions in the federal Vioxx MDL. In Re: Vioxx Products Liability Litigation, MDL No. 1657 (E.D. La.).

On Sept. 7, Judge Eldon E. Fallon of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana granted Merck's Sept. 6 motion for entry of a scheduling order setting briefing on the remaining foreign class action complaints subject to Merck's motion to dismiss. The plaintiffs were given 30 days to file …