Federal judge rules for Merck in state Vioxx suit

By LINDA A. JOHNSON (AP) – 1 hour ago

TRENTON, N.J. — Drugmaker Merck & Co. on Tuesday won the first trial over withdrawn painkiller Vioxx brought by a state trying to recoup what it paid for residents to take the drug, arguing it wouldn’t have been covered had its risks been better known.

U.S. District Court Judge Eldon Fallon in New Orleans ruled for Whitehouse Station, N.J.-based Merck in a 2005 case brought by the Louisiana Attorney General’s Office, one of more than a dozen such government lawsuits.

Attorney James R. Dugan II of the Murray Law Firm in New Orleans, the lead attorney representing Louisiana, said his team would be meeting with state officials later this week to discuss appellate possibilities.

via The Associated Press: Federal judge rules for Merck in state Vioxx suit.