Exposed: how drugs giant pushed Vioxx painkiller

The growing furore surrounding the painkiller Vioxx could prove to be the most expensive legal action ever faced by a drugs company and raises questions about the marketing tactics used by a multibillion-pound pharmaceutical giant.

By Maxine Frith Social Affairs Correspondent
Published: 22 August 2005

At least 300 British patients who claim to have suffered heart attacks and strokes as a result of Vioxx, as well as the relatives of others who died, are to sue the makers, Merck, for millions of pounds in the US courts. More than 4,000 sufferers from around the world have also lodged negligence claims against Merck, with experts warning that the company faces a " potentially unlimited" flood of cases that could cost it more than $50bn (£28bn).