VIOXX RECALL - COMPENSATION CLAIMS

Vioxx Recall - September 30, 2004

Merck, the manufacturer, announced that they were voluntarily pulling their product off the worldwide market due to concern from clinical trials which indicated serious adverse side effects associated with taking this drug. If you have been injured by this drug you may be eligible to seek compensation for your injuries in a legal case.

The major selling point of this drug was that it was supposed to have fewer side effects – especially gastrointestinal side effects like gastric bleeding and ulcers - than older types of anti-arthritis drugs on the market. So, when Merck & Co., Inc. launched its new ground breaking COX-2 inhibitor drug in 1999, it was distributed to more than 30,000 pharmacies in the US in just eleven days after approval. This drug marks one of the fastest development successes in the history of Merck & Co.

This drug is a newer type of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAIDs) that was prescribed to over ninety-one million people for the relief of pain associated with rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis and other severe forms of pain, before the Vioxx recall occurred.

A clinical trial, initially developed to determine whether this drug would be effective in preventing colon polyps, found that those taking the drug for longer than 18 months had double the risk of a heart attack or stroke as those taking a placebo. Those taking the highest daily recommended dosage were found to have three times the risk of a severe coronary event.

In Australia, the Therapeutic Goods Association issued recall notices on 1st October 2004. At the time of the Vioxx recall, roughly 300,000 Australians were using this drug and a similar number were on Celebrex .

Side-effects include:-

• cardiovascular thromboembolic adverse events, such as heart attacks, angina pectoris, and peripheral vascular events
• nonbacterial meningitis
• Upper and/or lower respiratory infection and/or inflammation
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Diarrhea
• Nausea and/or vomiting
• Heartburn, stomach pain and upset
• Swelling of the legs and/or feet
• High blood pressure
• Back pain
• Tiredness
• Urinary tract infection

For more information on the Vioxx recall you may wish to speak to a legal professional who can advise you of your legal rights and options. You may be entitled to thousands of dollars in compensation if you have suffered injuries as a result of taking this drug. Do not delay in seeking legal advice, as time limits apply.

Australian Class Action - Multi Pary Action

On 9 November 2007 a class action agreement was reached for VIOXX victims resident in the United States. VIOXX victims from Australia are not entitled to make a claim for compensation under this scheme as a result of which the class action currently running in the Federal Court of Australia will continue to final resolution.

An individual qualifies as a group member of this class action if they were prescribed and took VIOXX in Australia after 30 July 1999 and were diagnosed with heart attack, stroke, angina, ischemic attack or peripheral vascular disease within 30 weeks of completing the course.

Those who qualify are automatically group members unless they opted out on or before 27 October 2006 and will be bound by any subsequent judgment and will not be able to commence a separate legal proceedings in Australia.

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