Mass. Judge Restricts Merck's Capacity to Question Medical Journal Editor

BOSTON - A Massachusetts judge has granted a motion to quash a subpoena compelling a third deposition of the New England Journal of Medicine's executive editor for use in the New Jersey Vioxx litigation, calling Merck & Co. Inc.'s repeated deposition efforts 'abusive and arrogant.' In the Matter of Merck & Co. Inc., Nos. 06-2286, 06-4463 (Mass. Super. Ct., Suffolk Cty.).

Judge Thomas E. Connolly of the Suffolk County (Mass.) Superior Court also said in the Dec. 18 order that there shall be no further document production by the NEJM's Dr. George D. Curfman or the Journal itself, neither of …