Originally published September 8 2005
After Vioxx decision, Scottish arthritics prepare to sue drug makers
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
Dozens of Scottish citizens suffering from arthritis are preparing to sue Vioxx maker Merck after a Texas jury awarded a Vioxx user's widow $253 million, The Scotsman Reports.
But it was taken off the market after a long-term study found that the risk of heart attacks and strokes was doubled if patients took the drug for 18 months.
Merck is facing a raft of compensation claims after jurors in Texas on Friday found the drug company negligent in the death of Robert Ernst, who used Vioxx, and awarded his widow Carol $253m (�141m) in damages.
Glasgow-based lawyer Cameron Fyfe will this week instruct American lawyers to file lawsuits against Merck for 25 families of Scottish patients.
I have 25 clients for whom we are pursuing claims relating to Vioxx and I will be asking US lawyers to go ahead with litigation."
Fyfe, who first met American lawyers to discuss the claims nine months ago, confirmed that several of the cases he is pursuing have been brought by relatives of arthritis sufferers who died after suffering heart attacks, paralysis and circulation problems.
Fyfe said: "Some have died after cardiac problems and others have been forced to give up their work, so we could be talking about very large pay-outs.
Other UK lawyers have been watching the Ernst case closely, with firms in London and Liverpool understood to be representing at least 150 potential claimants.
Vioxx was taken off the market at the end of last September after a three-year trial linked it to an increased risk of heart disease.
Morck has also been accused of failing to show clinical trial volunteers in Britain essential safety information, including warnings of potential fatal hazards.
Meanwhile, a British woman left partially paralysed after using Vioxx yesterday said its US makers should be "made to pay" for ruining her life.
Christine Peckham is among the 150 arthritis sufferers considering legal action after taking the drug before it was withdrawn.
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