Merck ordered to pay $32m in Vioxx case

A Texas jury today found that painkiller Vioxx caused the death of 71-year-old Leonel Garza and awarded $7 million in compensatory…

A Texas jury today found that painkiller Vioxx caused the death of 71-year-old Leonel Garza and awarded $7 million in compensatory damages and $25 million in punitive damages to his family.

The verdict against Vioxx maker Merck & Co Inc came in the latest lawsuit charging that the company did not disclose for several years that the now-withdrawn medicine caused an increased risk of heart attacks.

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